For full directory of "How to" listings on different topics, see here

This is a general overview of crisis & distress resources, serving Halton Region. All services are available 24/7 unless noted otherwise.

• for Emergency Shelters in Halton and surrounding area, see listing BTN4778
• for Sexual Assault and Domestic/Family Violence resources, see listing OAK0455
• for Emergency Food Sources, see these listings
  • Burlington
  • Halton Hills
  • Milton
  • Oakville

HALTON'S MAIN CRISIS & DISTRESS AGENCIES

• In an emergency call 9-1-1 for police, fire and/or ambulance

988 Suicide Crisis Helpline

• call or text 9-8-8, or call 1-833-456-4566
• national telephone and text suicide prevention and support
• see listing, MET7492

ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids)

• 905-878-9785, 17 yrs & younger
• for children and youth in crisis, and caregivers/community members 
• see listing, BTN4032

COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team)

• 1-877-825-9011, 16 yrs & older
• telephone support and mobile intervention program for those who are in crisis and have a mental health concern
• see listing, MHH0509

Distress Centre Halton

• Oakville: 905-849-4541
• Burlington: 905-681-1488
• North Halton: 905-877-1211
• Hamilton: 905-561-5800
• see listing, MHH0488

ADDICTION & GAMBLING

ConnexOntario

• 1-866-531-2600 or text CONNEX to 247247
• online chat
• email 
• information about addiction, mental health and problem gambling resources
• see listing, LON6230

National Overdose Response Service

• 1-888-688-6677
• free anonymous overdose prevention hotline for Canadians
• see listing, IMP0274

CAREGIVERS

Hospice Palliative Helpline

• 905-667-1865
• helpline providing emotional support and end of life care planning
• see listing PEL1180

Ontario Caregiver Organization

• Toll free helpline 1-833-416-2273
• supports Ontario’s caregivers by being the one point of contact for information about existing services and supports 
• online chat
• peer and community support groups
• see listing, MET8105

CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS

One Stop Talk (available Mon-Fri 12 noon-8 pm & Sat 12 noon-4 pm)

• 1-855-416-8255
• connect directly with a counsellor through online chat, video and voice
• offers children, youth (under 18 yrs) and their families immediate access to free mental health support through single session counselling and ensures direct referral to additional service when needed
• see listing, MET1991

Kids Help Phone

• 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
• online chat
• telephone, text, and online counselling and support
• ages 5-30
• see listing, MET6983

Good2Talk

• Counselling Line, 1-866-925-5454 
• Crisis Text Line, text GOOD2TALKON to 686868
• for post-secondary school students
• mental health and addiction information, professional counselling, and referral on a wide range of services on and off campus
• see listing, MET2344

Naseeha

• 1-866-627-3342, helpline and text line
• telephone and live chat peer counselling and information
• open to all with focus on Muslim communities
• see listing, PEL1127

Black Youth Helpline (available Mon-Sun 9 am-10 pm)

• 1-833-294-8650
• 12 yrs and up
• open to all youth and their families
• culturally appropriate supports and services for Black youth and families
• see listing MET5611

FARMERS

Farmers Wellness Initiative

• 1-866-267-6255
• provides Ontario farmers, farm families, farm employees, and spouses & dependents of farm employees with free, unlimited mental health counselling, specific to the unique challenges that can be experienced by the agricultural community
• available in English, French and Spanish
• see listing, IMP0330

FIRST RESPONDERS, MILTARY & VETERANS

Boots on the Ground

• Toll free 1-833-677-2668
• peer support for first responders 
• services offered to retired and serving police officers, firefighters, EMS, corrections officers, and nurses across the province
• able to provide in person peer support as needed
• see listing, OAK0181

Veteran Affairs Canada Assistance Service

• 1-800-268-7708, crisis line
• TTY 1-800-567-5803, crisis line
• 1-866-522-2122, general inquiries, Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm
• crisis line and short-term problem solving with mental health professionals available to military members, Veterans, former RCMP members, and their family members & caregivers who have personal concerns that affect their well-being and/or work performance
• see listing, PEL1038

INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

Hope for Wellness Helpline

• 1-855-242-3310 
• online chat 
• a mental health helpline or online chat, for Indigenous peoples 
• provides immediate, culturally relevant crisis counselling support 
• see listing, IMP0326

TALK4HEALING

• Helpline and Text line: 1-855-554-4325
• online chat
• provides culturally appropriate counselling services to Indigenous women by Indigenous women, via telephone, text, or chat
• services in 14 Indigenous languages
• see listing, IMP0327

Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line

• 1-866-925-4419
• immediate and culturally appropriate counselling supports to former students who are experiencing distress
• see website

MULTICULTURAL

For You Telecare Family Service

• 416-241-5456, Korean
• 416-938-4673, English
• 416-999-1392, Text Help Line
• also available virtually and by email
• for individuals and families within, or related to, the Korean-Canadian community
• see listing, MET4876

Mandarin Hotline

• 289-800-8818, Mon-Sat 10 am-10 pm
• emotional support for a range of issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, health challenges, grief or bereavement, isolation, family conflict, unemployment, newcomer challenges
• support addresses language barriers and cultural stigma
• links to community and professional resources for individual and/or group support and treatment
• see listing MET7266

Nisa Helpline

• 1-888-315-6472, Mon-Sun 8 am-12 midnight
• confidential, anonymous and free helpline for Muslim women
• offers mental health support, peer-to-peer counselling, support in creating action plans, referrals, emotional and spiritual support and encouragement
• see listing IMP0101

SACHSS (South Asian Canadians Health and Social Services)

• 647-367-4452 or 416-863-0511
• support for emotional or mental health issues
• see listing, PEL2074

2SLGBTQIA+

LGBT YouthLine (available Sun to Fri, 4 pm-9:30 pm)

• Text 647-694-4275 
• email: helpline@youthline.ca 
• online chat 
• ages 13-29
• peer support by email, text and online chat 
• information and referral, anonymous and confidential 
• referral database of LGBTQ+ youth services
• see listing, MET7095

Toronto pflag (available Mon-Sun 9 am-9 pm)

• 416-406-6378
• peer support line for parents and families to share concerns on learning that one of their children or siblings is part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
• support for persons considering coming out to their families
• See listing MET3266

Trans Lifeline (available Mon-Fri 1 pm-9 pm)

• Toll free 1-877-330-6366
• helpline for trans people, run by trans people
• see listing, IMP0092

Interligne

• 1-888-505-1010, phone or text
• confidential information and support service for individuals that care about sexual orientation and gender identity issues
• service offered through telephone, text, chat, and email
• Acts of Homophobia Registry
• see listing, IMP0133

THREE-DIGIT HELPLINES SERVING HALTON

• 811 - Health Care Information & Service Navigation Assistance (Ontario Heath811)
• 711 - Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS, relay service, IP-relay)
• 611 - Telephone Service Provider
• 511 - Provincial Road Conditions & Tow Truck Services, in restricted Tow Zones (Ontario 511)
• 411 - Commercial & Residential Directory Assistance (YellowPages)
• 311 - Regional Services Intake & Information, Public & Family Health Information Line (Access Halton)
• 211 - Community Information, Resource & Service Navigation (Ontario 211)

For a larger list of resources available, visit General Crisis Intervention Hotlines or Distress Phone Lines

Mon-Sun 24 hours, unless otherwise noted

Varies by service

Refer to information in Service Description