COMMUNITY RESOURCES
What if I can't afford counselling?
We believe that mental health support is a basic human right; it should be accessible to everyone.
We've put together a list of community mental health resources serving Kitchener Waterloo, London, Oakville, Milton and the Halton regions that are either free and sliding scale.
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Click on one of the locations below to explore community services in that area.
- COMMUNITY RESOURCES - KITCHENER/WATERLOO
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GENERAL COUNSELLING & SUPPORT
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In Kitchener Waterloo, there are several agencies that offer mental health support on a sliding scale for those in financial need.
KW Counselling and Carizon have recently amalgamated to become Camino.
They offer walk in counselling on Thursdays from 2pm to 6pm as well as sliding scale sessions from registered social workers and psychotherapists. Typically this is service is offered as short term counselling - about 3 sessions per person.
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Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Waterloo Region:
Free mental health support including counselling and group programs for adults, children, parents and caregivers and seniors.
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A free, confidential mental health support service providing professional counselling and referrals for mental health to postsecondary students in Ontario. Options include text, online messaging, phone and peer-to-peer community support.
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One Roof Youth Services
Housing and employment supports as well as mental health and addicition support for at risk youth.
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Suicide Prevention
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Here 24/7 Crisis Services Waterloo Region
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A Free, 24/7 crisis line that can be accessed through calls or text, in English or French. All calls are confidential unless there is a concern of safety. Call 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
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SUBSTANCE USE & ADDICTIONS SUPPORT
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There are several resources for addictions counselling and support in the Kitchener Waterloo region.
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Offers individual and group counselling services for those dealing with addiction and substance use, problem gambling, gaming and internet overuse and their loved ones. Their addictions support program offers free counselling sessions, with the option of continued free group therapy. You can reach them at 519-742-8327.
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Offers both in patient and outpatient mental health support for addictions.
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SHELTERS & SUPPORT FOR WOMEN
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YWCA Emergency Shelter: emergency housing for cis and trans women and non-binary individuals.
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Safe Haven Youth Shelter - Lutherwood
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Assaulted Women’s Helpline provides a free, anonymous and confidential 24-hour telephone and TTY crisis telephone line to all women in the province of Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse.
AWHL provides crisis counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals accessible 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Toll-free:1-866-863-0511
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SEXUAL ASSAULT
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo in Kitchener or Cambridge.
SHORE Centre: sexual health options, resources and education
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PERINATAL & POSTNATAL SUPPORT
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Postpartum mood disorder clinic. Individual counselling and weekly support group meetings. Call Irene Triegs: 519-749-4300 ext. 2267
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Siding scale counselling support for pre and post pregnancy concerns.
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Free counselling and crisis support
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Monica Place for pregnant and parenting youth:
Individual counselling and group counselling programs and supportive housing program.
2SLGBTQIA+ SUPPORT
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Free walk in counselling and group counselling for queer individuals
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A variety of support groups for queer individuals including BIR group, Trans group, PFLAG, Newcomers, Indigiqueer, Prime group (50+), Spectrum on the Spectrum
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Connect with other LGBQTIA2+ youths for support. Call 1-800-268-9688 or text 647-694-4275 or live chat on their website.
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NEWCOMERS & BIPOC
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Offers a variety of services to Newcomers including refugee services and settlement services and language services
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Camino - Refugees and Newcomers workshops and support groups
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Assists refugees with the entire refugee and immigration progress including adapting to life in a new country.
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BIPOC and culturally informed counselling, educational programs and groups
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PARENTING & CAREGIVERS: DISABILITIES & NEURODIVERGENCE
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Autism assessments and behaviour support resources, caregiver supports
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Connects you with Autism services and supports for your family.
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Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre:
Workshops, clinics, trainings and other resources and supports for individuals with developmental disability and those on the spectrum, as well as their caregivers
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Connect with local resources for support including: respite care in your area, a support group, information about financial supports available to caregivers, as well as help navigating the health and social service systems.
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Waterloo Region Family Network
For individuals, families and caregivers- resources and supports for those living with disabilities, including resources, activities, group programs and coaching.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES -
OAKVILLE & MILTON
GENERAL COUNSELLING & SUPPORT
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In the Oakville and Milton areas, there are several agencies that offer mental health support on a sliding scale for those in financial need.
A non-profit counselling agency serving the Halton Region. Offering individual, couples and family counselling, group programs and supporting those who have experienced or are experiencing abuse.
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Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST):
A program under the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) that provides accessible and subsidized care at zero cost to the client. Also a 24/7 crisis line.
ACHeV Wellness Response & Assistance Program:
For those on employment insurance Ontario Works (OW) or disability (ODSP): short term counselling and support from a culturally informed lens
Suicide Prevention
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Distress Centre Halton: support for those in crisis. The Distress Line in Oakville: 905-849-4541
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TeleCheck: call line for seniors needing support, caregivers and those with dementia.
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Free, 24/7 crisis line that can be accessed through calls or text, in English or French. All calls are confidential unless there is a concern of safety for yourself or others. Call 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
Kids Help Phone: 1800 668 6868
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SUBSTANCE USE & ADDICTIONS SUPPORT
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There are several resources for addictions counselling and support in the Oakville and Halton surrounding areas.
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A non-profit, outpatient addiction, assessment and treatment facility for a variety of addictions including drugs, gambling and alcohol.
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Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital:
Rapid access to addiction care including emergency and inpatient units.
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SHELTERS & SUPPORT FOR WOMEN
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The Women's Centre of Halton: offers free mental health, abuse and trauma counselling.
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Provides transitional housing for those fleeing from domestic violence. Homes in Brampton, Toronto and London, ON. To access care: 1-888-671-3446.
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Assaulted Women’s Helpline provides a free, anonymous and confidential 24-hour telephone and TTY crisis telephone line to all women in the province of Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse.
AWHL provides crisis counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals accessible 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Toll-free:1-866-863-0511
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SEXUAL ASSAULT & VIOLENCE
Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services of Halton: free and confidential 1:1 crisis counselling and support groups
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Assaulted Women's Helpline: 1-866-863-0511 (Toll-free), 416-863-9511 (GTA)
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Thrive Counselling Violence Against Women program:
Free individual and group counselling for women who have experienced or are experiencing any kind of abuse or violence.
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PERINATAL & POSTNATAL
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Healthy Babies, Healthy Children:
A free program home visits for support for parents-to-be and families with younger children
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Women's Health Concerns Clinic (WHCC) St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton:
assessment, consultation and treatment including individual and group counselling for women experiencing emotional concerns related to reproductive milestones (PMS, PMDD, menopause)
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2SLGBTQIA+ SUPPORT
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Support, education and resources for family and friends of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals
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Positive Space Network (Halton Region):
For more information, contact them by email: psnyouth@rockonline.ca or call or text: 289-208-0886
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An organization that is committed to the health, happiness and full participation of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. They provide support services by responding to the evolving needs of the 2SLGBTQIA+communities, from counselling services and queer parenting resources to coming out groups, trans programming, and seniors support.
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NEWCOMERS
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Offers transitional services including transitional housing, counselling and crisis intervention
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AHEV Wellness Response & Assistance Program:
For those on Ontario Works (OW) or ODSP: short term counselling and support from a culturally informed lens
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LEARNING SUPPORT & NEURODIVERGENCE
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Affordable support and services for children, youth and their families
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A Government funded program that offers services and support to children and youth on the Autism spectrum
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Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre:
Workshops, clinics, trainings and other resources and supports for individuals with developmental disability and those on the spectrum, as well as their caregivers
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CAREGIVERS
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Connect with local resources for support including: respite care in your area, a support group, information about financial supports available to caregivers, as well as help navigating the health and social service systems.
- COMMUNITY RESOURCES -
LONDON
GENERAL COUNSELLING
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In the London area, there are several agencies that offer mental health support on a sliding scale for those in financial need.
Craigwood: free walk-in children, youth & family services
24/7 crisis support service for child and youth urgent mental health support: intake and referrals to community mental health resources. Call 519-433-0334
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CMHA Community Mental Health Clinic:
Free consultation with a psychiatrist (must be registered in a CMHA program)
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Vanier Children's Mental Wellness:
Offers a range of services for infants, children, youth and their families including counselling and in-home family services, parent groups and workshops.
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Suicide Prevention
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Reach Out Crisis Response Line: call 519-433-2023 or 1-866-963-2023 or web chat is available 24/7
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Free, 24/7 crisis line that can be accessed through calls or text, in English or French. All calls are confidential unless there is a concern of safety. Call 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
Kids Help Phone: 1 800 668 6868
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SUBSTANCE USE & ADDICTIONS SUPPORT
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There are several resources for addictions counselling and support in the London area.
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CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services:
Supportive housing, recovery oriented addiction and mental health services.
Mental Health & Addictions Crisis Walk In Centre:
24/7 walk in support, assessment, counselling and referrals to other resources. Call 519-434-9191.
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Breaking Free From Substance Abuse:
A digital program to support people in recognizing and address the factors that are driving their use of drugs or other substances.
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SHELTERS & SUPPORT FOR WOMEN
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Provides transitional housing for those fleeing from domestic violence. Homes in Brampton, Toronto and London, ON.
To access care: 1-888-671-3446.
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Assaulted Women’s Helpline provides a free, anonymous and confidential 24-hour telephone and TTY crisis telephone line to all women in the province of Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse.
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SEXUAL ASSAULT & VIOLENCE
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London Abused Women's Centre: free trauma informed counselling, support groups, training and education
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Sexual violence counselling, support groups and emergency shelter. If you're in crisis, call: 519-642-3000
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PERINATAL & POSTNATAL
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Middlesex-London Mental Health Unit: perinatal mental health counselling and Mother Reach support group, and Healthy Babies, Healthy Children
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Women's Health Concerns Clinic (WHCC) St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton:
Assessment, consultation and treatment including individual and group counselling for women experiencing emotional concerns related to reproductive milestones (PMS, PMDD, menopause).
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2SLGBTQIA+ SUPPORT
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London InterCommunity Health Centre:
List of community support groups for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals
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Trans Support Helpline:
Fully anonymous phone hotline for trans and questioning people in crisis. Call 1-877-330-6366
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NEWCOMERS
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London Cross Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC):
Helps newcomers integrate into the community through various programs and services including support groups
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AHEV Wellness Response & Assistance Program:
For those on Ontario Works (OW) or ODSP: short term counselling and support from a culturally informed lens
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LEARNING SUPPORT & NEURODIVERGENCE
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Government funded program that offers services and support to children and youth on the Autism spectrum.
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CAREGIVERS
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Connect with local resources for support including: respite care in your area, a support group, information about financial supports available to caregivers, as well as help navigating the health and social service systems.