Mental Health and Well-being

Get Help – Emergency

COAST Hamilton
Mental health crisis outreach and support for all ages.
Crisis Line (905) 972-8338; coasthamilton.ca

Kids Help Phone
24/7 counselling and information service for young people.
Crisis Line 1-800-668-6868; kidshelpphone.ca

McMaster Children’s Hospital: Child and Youth Mental Health Emergency Services (CHYMES)
McMaster Located within the emergency department for youth age 17 and younger.
1200 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5

Call 911

Get Help – Non-Emergency

Mental Health:

• Supports available at HWDSB – Social Work Services offers consultation, intervention planning and support in accessing community services, as well as Treatment groups and Workshops. To access support, talk with your child’s principal or vice-principal; for students in remote learning, call 905-527-5092 ext. 2802. For other inquiries call 905 527-5092.
• Your Family Doctor’s Office
• CONTACT Hamilton – Single access point for children and youth (age 18 and under) requiring service for social-emotional, behavioural, developmental and/or mental health needs. (905) 570-8888; www.contacthamilton.ca
• Youth Wellness Centre – Mental health and addiction programs and support available to individuals aged 17-25. Clients can self-refer. (905) 522-1155 x 31725 or email ywcintake@stjoes.ca ; stjoes.ca/hospital-services/mental-health-addiction-services/mental-healthservices/youth-wellness-centre38 James St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 4W6
• De dwa da dehs nye>s (Aboriginal Health Centre) – Provide mental wellness services that are culturally safe for all members of the urban community who self-identify as having Aboriginal ancestry. 678 Main Street East (905) 544-4320 https://aboriginalhealthcentre.com/
• Barrett Centre – Mental health crisis program that responds to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis but do not need hospitalization; supports individuals 16 and up. Crisis Line (905) 529-7878; goodshepherdcentres.ca/barrett-centre-for-crisis-support
• East Region Mental Health Services – Community mental health program available to individuals age 16 and over, located in the east end of Hamilton. Clients can self-refer. (905) 573-4801; stjoes.ca/hospital-services/mental-health-addiction-services/mentalhealth-services/east-region-mental-health-services-ermhs-

Safety:

• Children’s Aid Society – The CAS mandate is to protect children (age 18 and under) from physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. (905) 522-1121 (intake)
• Catholic Children’s Aid Society – The CCAS mandate is to protect children (age 18 and under) from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect. (905) 525-2012 (intake)
• Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton (SACHA) – Crisis Line (905) 525-4162 sacha.ca

Housing:

• Notre Dame House – An emergency shelter for homeless or street- involved youth age 16-21. (905) 308-8090
• Youth Reconnect – For youth age 13-19 at risk of homelessness or with a history of housing instability. 905-308-8090

Sexual Health:

• Sexual Health Clinics provide many services including testing for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy tests and birth control. There are four locations across Hamilton. To find the closest one to you visit, hamilton.ca/public-health/clinics-services/sexual-health-clinics or call the info line 905-528-5894

Drop-in Counselling:

• Catholic Family Services – Various counselling, including walk-in and support programs available to the Hamilton community. (905) 527-3823; cfshw.com
• Youth Wellness Centre (age 17+) – Drop in counselling Wednesdays 1-5:30 p.m. at Child and Adolescent Services, 100 Main Street East, Suite 220. Ask for Peter from the Youth Wellness Centre at Reception on Thursdays 8:30-11:30 a.m. at 38 James St. S., Hamilton.

Substance Misuse:

• Alternatives for Youth – Free substance abuse counselling available to youth age 12-22, as well as their families. (905) 527-4469; ay.on.ca

Peer Support:

• Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line – Free service provided for youth by youth. 1 (800) 268-9688; youthline.ca

Didn’t find what you were looking for?

You can also browse the Red Book, a directory of community services. (905) 528-8127 or 211; www.informationhamilton.ca/redbook

HWDSB Helps is a free and anonymous way for students to find help for themselves and one another. Tips may relate to student mental health, bullying, substance use and more. When students, staff and families help promote a positive school environment, schools are safer and more welcoming places. The service receives anonymous messages and shares the report with staff who follow existing Board and school protocols. This is not a crisis line or counselling service.

HWDSB Helps priority during COVID-19: HWDSB Helps remains an operational service. However, we are prioritizing concerns related to COVID-19’s impacts on school communities during our closure under Ministerial Order. If a concern relates to school matters generally, we will respond when school is back in session. Thank you for your understanding.

Get help or share anonymous tips using…

• Text to 905-963-0066. Standard rates apply.

• The HWDSB Helps app for iOS and Android.

• Web chat
  In case of emergency, call 911.

If you have questions, please contact your school’s principal.

General

• School Mental Health Assist – provincial implementation support team helping Ontario school boards promote student mental health and well-being.
• Quick Facts for Parents about Mental Health – Ministry of Education overview for parents.
• Cannabis: What Parents/Guardians and Caregivers Need to Know
• Advice on Online Hoaxes

COVID-19

• Supporting child and youth mental well-being during COVID-19.
• Student Mental Health Supports postcard
• How to support student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Student Mental Health Supports (HWDSB graphic). A great summary of where to turn for help in mental health crisis, and when concerns are urgent or non-urgent.
• Supporting Child and Youth Mental Well-being During COVID-19 (HWDSB resource) A background document that helps families answer the question, “How can I support my child or youth if they are struggling during the COVID-19 closure?”
• How to support student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic (School Mental Health Ontario) Tips from the provincial body supporting school boards on mental health, in an infographic format.
• Self-Care 101. Practical tips for taking care of yourself during a challenging time (School Mental Health Ontario)
• FACE COVID eBook – by Russ Harris, FACE COVID Infographic, FACE COVID Video Resources to support the FACE COVID initiative, which creates a handy acronym spelling out tips for handling the crisis.
• Community Services – Basic Needs During COVID-19. A summary of where our community can turn for social service supports at a challenging time.
• 17 Totally Normal Things to Feel Right Now. There is no “right” way to handle this, according to therapists.
• COVID-19 Mental Health and Well-being Resources 2020 – A City of Hamilton list of resources in our community.

Events like the COVID-19 response can cause feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. Here are some tips to support our community:

• Be patient with yourself and those close to you.
• Take care of yourself.
• Eat healthy, drink plenty of water, and get enough rest.
• If you are feeling overwhelmed, consider taking a break from the news and social media.
• Provide children with age-appropriate factual information.
• Please reach out to the school if support is needed.

HWDSB staff can find resources to help support students by visiting the staff intranet We Help page.

If you are an HWDSB staff member seeking support, please contact our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Lifeworks. Find more details are on the myHOME staff portal.