Where To Get Help

If you are in crisis, please call the local crisis line 519-973-4435, 911, or go to your closest hospital emergency department.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or experiencing high levels of stress, it is important to talk to someone about how you are feeling.

Reaching out for support can be very helpful in managing stress and dealing with overwhelm. There are many local and provincial supports and services available form assistance, no matter what you are dealing with.


Supports and Services:

Local Support Services


Community Crisis Centre: Hôtel Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH)

HDGH’s Community Crisis Centre offers mental health services for individuals ages 16+ who are experiencing an acute mental illness and/or psychosocial crisis. The Community Crisis Centre offers intervention services 24/7 to individuals who require immediate assessment, psychosocial intervention, medical intervention or support. Services are provided at no cost upon presentation of a valid OHIP card. Available services include:

  • 24-Hour Crisis Telephone Line: 519-973-4435.
  • Walk-In Crisis Services: Community Crisis Centre within the Transitional Stability Centre
    744 Ouellette Avenue
    8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. 7 days/week
  • Windsor Regional Hospital: Ouellette Campus, Emergency Department
    1030 Ouellette Avenue
    7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. 7 days/week

The Mental Health & Addictions Urgent Care Centre (MHAUCC)

The Mental Health & Addictions Urgent Care Centre (MHAUCC) was developed by CMHA-WECB and HDGH in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This service is intended to support individuals aged 16+ who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis and cannot safely wait for community mental health and substance use support. It provides support to individuals who are experiencing an urgent mental health or substance use concern and require urgent care. It also serves individuals who are at risk of worsening mental health conditions during the pandemic and may require hospitalization.

Services are available at the Crisis and Mental Wellness Centre (TSC), which is located at 744 Ouellette Avenue. For more information about the services and programs available, please contact at 519-257-5111 ext. 77968.

Hours of operation for the MHAUCC are Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Self-referral, physician and healthcare provider referrals are accepted. Walk-in services are offered during all hours of operation.


Canadian Mental Health Association – Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHA-WECB)

The Canadian Mental Health Association – Windsor-Essex County Branch offers a variety of mental health programs and services, including those for individuals with serious to moderate mental illnesses, substance use issues, bereavement issues, and many others. Please visit their website for more information about the programs and services that are available. 

A pandemic therapist is currently available through CMHA-WECB to offer support to individuals aged 16+ who are struggling with moderate to severe anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, PTSD, or other mental health concerns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To be referred to this service, please contact the Coordinated Access Line at 519-973-4435.

CMHA-WECB is also offering a free series of Mental Wellness Webinars during the COVID-19 pandemic via Zoom. A wide range of mental health and wellness topics are included in the webinar series.

Some topics are:

  • Bereavement
  • Parenting through Grief
  • Yoga For Healthy Living
  • First Responder Family Mental Health
  • Sobriety Support (S.T.A.G.E.S)

To register for a webinar(s), please visit CMHA-WECB’s online registration page

Pre-recorded webinars on mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic can also be found on CMHA-WECB’s Youtube channel.


CommUnity Partnership (CUP)

CommUnity Partnership is offering their client services via telephone, email and in-person by appointment. Client services include counselling, wellness checks, advocacy, and support. To access services, please contact CUP by phone at 519-966-8203 or by email at info@cupartner.ca.


Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC)

The Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) is providing crisis counselling support services by telephone to individuals from First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact SOAHAC by phone at 519-916-1755 for more information about the services available or to schedule a telephone appointment.


Mental Health Connections

Mental Health Connections is a local organization that provides psycho-social rehabilitative services to clients with a mental illness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mental Health Connections is offering a number of online programs and classes, including those that focus on self-care and meditation (mindfulness), recovery strategies, anxiety/depression, and fitness. To learn more about the online programs/classes that are available and/or to register for a program/class, please contact Mental Health Connections at 519-256-4854 or click here to see their Monthly Calendar.


Family Services Windsor-Essex (FSWE) - Counselling Appointments and Walk-In Counselling Clinics

Counselling appointments and walk-in counselling clinics are available through Family Services Windsor-Essex. Affordable counselling fees are determined through a sliding scale based on household income, family size, and ability to pay, which may be covered through a workplace Employee Assistance Program, a healthcare benefit/package, or a financial subsidy.

At this time, counselling appointments and walk-in counselling clinics are being coordinated and offered over the phone by calling 1-888-933-1831 or 519-966-5010. Limited in-person appointments are available at this time. Please contact FSWE directly by telephone to set up a telephone session with a qualified counsellor.


Trans Wellness Ontario

Trans Wellness Ontario, formerly known as Windsor-Essex Transgender & Allied Support (W.E. Trans Support) is a local organization that provides health and wellness services to LGBTQIA2S+ communities and their families. Programs and services available during the COVID-19 pandemic include:

  • Counselling Services – Counselling services are currently being conducted over the phone or through Doxy due to COVID-19 restrictions. To book an intake, please call the reception desk at 226-674-4745 or email reception@transwellness.ca.
  • Support Groups – Support groups provide the opportunity for community members to connect with each other in a safe and welcoming environment and to explore their identity, emotions, and experiences. Each group is facilitated by staff members with lived experience. All support groups are currently talking place through Zoom. If you are interested in joining a support group, please email reception@transwellness.ca with your name, pronouns, and what group(s) you are interested in joining.

To learn more about other programs and services available, please visit https://www.transwellness.ca/.


Windsor-Essex Community Health Centre (WECHC)

The Windsor Essex Community Health Centre offers a variety of services for mental health and mental health promotion. Visit wechc.org for information about the programs offered at their various locations including:

  • Teen Health Centre (12-24 years) – Offers individual and group counselling for youth aged 12-24 on a wide variety of topics (including depression, anxiety, substance use, grief, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and eating disorders).

Province-Wide Services (Virtual and/or Telephone-based)


Bounce Back Ontario

Bounce Back Ontario is a free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). It is designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, and anxiety, stress, or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, individuals will have access to tools that will support them on their path to mental wellness.


Centre for Addiction & Mental Health – HOPE Mobile Application

Hope by CAMH is a free smartphone app that provides suicide prevention information, tools and crisis resources to support and guide individuals when they are experiencing thoughts of suicide.

One of the key features of this app is the ability for individuals to create a personalized suicide safety plan, which can be done in consultation with their healthcare professional, loved one, or someone who they have a trusting relationship with.

The Hope by CAMH safety plan can be accessed at any time – especially if an individual is experiencing thoughts of suicide – and it can be updated as their situation changes.

It is now available for download on Android and iOS.


Togetherall

The Togetherall is an online community that allows individuals to interact with a supportive network of community members when dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. Services are clinically managed and designed to support those with mild to moderate need, while having the infrastructure to case manage individuals at risk. The Big White Wall also offers a vibrant peer-to-peer community where individuals with shared experiences can receive and offer support to one another. Services can be accessed by online members 24/7. These services are also moderated 24/7 by trained practitioners who keep online members safe and facilitate the process of helping people in an online environment.


Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH) – Managing Your Stress and Anxiety during COVID-19 Mobile Application

The Centre for Addiction & Mental Health has developed a mobile application in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that provides evidence-based coping strategies to help people manage stress and anxiety during this time. The mobile application is available for download on Android and iOS. To learn more about the mobile application, please visit CAMH’s website.

Hope by CAMH is a free smartphone app that provides suicide prevention information, tools and crisis resources to support and guide individuals when they are experiencing thoughts of suicide.

One of the key features of this app is the ability for individuals to create a personalized suicide safety plan, which can be done in consultation with their healthcare professional, loved one, or someone who they have a trusting relationship with.

The Hope by CAMH safety plan can be accessed at any time – especially if an individual is experiencing thoughts of suicide – and it can be updated as their situation changes.


Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support

Wellness Together Canada This service connects Canadians to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists, and other professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls. The online portal also makes it easier to find credible information about COVID-19 and can help individuals address mental health and substance use issues. 


Good 2 Talk

Good 2 Talk provides free and confidential mental health and substance use support services for post-secondary students in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic. To access services, please call 1-866-925-5454 or text 686868.


Hope for Wellness Hotline

The Hope for Wellness Hotline offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention services to all persons who are Indigenous across Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telephone support is available 24/7 by phone at 1-855-242-3310 or through online chat. Offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Phone and chat counselling is available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.


Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program

The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program provides mental health, emotional and cultural support services to eligible former Indian Residential School students and their families throughout all phases of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.


National Indian Residential School Crisis Line

A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former Residential School students. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling 24-Hour National Crisis Line:1-866-925-4419


Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls' Inquiry Support Line

A 24 hour national line has been set up to provide support for individuals affected by a missing or murdered Indigenous woman/girl’s experience. Call 1-844-413-6649 to access support.

Local Services

Printable Windsor-Essex Youth Services Cards


WEConnectKids

WEConnectKids (Coordinated Access) Coordinated Access is a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is the place to start if you aren’t sure how, where, or what type of mental health service you need. It’s a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex. HDGH’s Regional Children’s Centre serves our community by acting as the "front door" for child and youth mental health services. Through WEConnectKids, individuals will receive the most appropriate service based on their needs.


Youth Wellness Hub Windsor-Essex

Youth Wellness Hub Windsor-Essex is a judgment free zone providing mental health supports to youth aged 12-25. Programs and services offered are evidence-based and approved by youth in our community. Programs and services may be accessed by appointment or during the Walk-In hours. No referral is needed. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 1:00-7:00pm, and Saturday 10:00-2:00. For more information call 519-800-8640 or visit their website.


Regional Children's Centre

The Regional Children's Centre provides quick and confidential access to mental health services for children and youth ages 18 and under and their families/guardians. As a result of COVID-19, RCC is offering walk-in counselling clinic services by phone from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Mondays-Thursdays and from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Fridays by calling 519-257-KIDS. No appointment or referral is necessary. This service is provided free of charge.


Maryvale

Maryvale offers single session mental health services by phone during the pandemic to youth aged 13-17 and their families at 519-419-1397. Maryvale offers a number of mental health and wellness programs for children/youth, including counselling and mental health treatment programs. To learn more about the programs and services available, please contact Maryvale by phone at 519-419-1397 or visit their website.


Children First

Children First offers mental health services for young children and their families. Services include a wide range of preventative and treatment interventions, including child and family assessments, brief therapy and counselling, and other supports. Children First is currently offering many of their services through phone and video conferencing, and are slowly resuming in-person services. Please call 519-250-1850 to speak directly with a Children First staff member for more information.


Teen Health Centre

The Teen Health Centre offers free and confidential counselling for youth ages 12-24 for a variety of mental health concerns, including stress, depression, grief, substance use, and more. Contact the Teen Health Centre ahead of time at 519-253-8481 prior to accessing any in-person services or visiting their location.


Trans Wellness Ontario

Trans Wellness Ontario, formerly known as Windsor-Essex Transgender & Allied Support (W.E. Trans Support) is a local organization that provides health and wellness services to LGBTQIA2S+ communities and their families. Programs and services available during the COVID-19 pandemic include:

  • Counselling Services – Counselling services are currently being conducted over the phone or through Doxy due to COVID-19 restrictions. To book an intake, please call the reception desk at 226-674-4745 or email reception@transwellness.ca.
  • Support Groups – Support groups provide the opportunity for community members to connect with each other in a safe and welcoming environment and to explore their identity, emotions, and experiences. Each group is facilitated by staff members with lived experience. All support groups are currently talking place through Zoom. If you are interested in joining a support group, please email reception@transwellness.ca with your name, pronouns, and what group(s) you are interested in joining.

To learn more about other programs and services available, please visit https://www.transwellness.ca/.


Province-Wide Services (Virtual and/or Telephone-based)


Kid's Help Phone

Kid's Help Phone offers supportive counselling, referrals, and text-based services to youth aged 29 and under who are in crisis or distress. This service is available 24/7 during the pandemic by phone at 1-800-668-6868 or by text at 686868.


Good 2 Talk

Good 2 Talk provides free and confidential mental health and substance use support services for post-secondary students in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic. To access services, please call 1-866-925-5454 or text 686868.


LGBT Youthline Ontario

LGBT Youthline Ontario offers Ontario-wide peer-support for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, queer and questioning young people.647-694-4275. Chat, text and email currently available.

Local Services


Life After Fifty

Life After Fifty continues to provide telephone assurance calls during the COVID-19 pandemic to older adults. This is a free service that provides assurance and social contact through weekly phone calls from a screened volunteer. To access this service, please call 519-254-1108.


Additional COVID-19 Mental Health Information & Resources

To learn more about managing and preventing stress or promoting mental health and wellness during, please see the following resources:


Support with Alcohol or Other Substance Use

A listing of helplines, virtual web services, and local services and programs in Windsor-Essex to support people who use substances.

Detailed information on the impacts of COVID-19 on people who use substances and those who support them.

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