Mental Health and Well-being

• 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; contacthamilton.ca
• Child and Adolescent Services: 905 546 2424. Children’s mental health program offered by the City of Hamilton to provide health assessment and treatment for children and youth, under 18, and their families.
• 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 ; 38 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
• 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.
• No Problem Too Big or Too Small: Student Help-Seeking Resource
• SMHO – How to Support a Mentally Healthy Back to School for Your Child (Available in 34 languages) 
• SMHO With Care – Tip sheet for Parents and Caregivers
• SMHO Info Sheet – Noticing Mental Health Concerns for Your Child
• Mental Health and Well-being – Creating a Mentally-Healthy Home: This session is intended to help parents and caregivers understand factors related to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents at home and at school. This session will provide a foundation of common language related to mental health, the importance of early recognition of mental health concerns, and factors that promote well-being.  Their will be a discussion of strategies that parents and caregivers can use to support the mental health and well-being of children and youth in their care. To register or seek further information about any mental health and well-being workshop, please contact  wehelp@hwdsb.on.ca

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If you would like to speak to someone about your situation and/or require a safety plan to leave your home, please call one of the following Gender-based Violence Shelters:

Inasmuch House 

• 24-Hour Crisis Line:  905-529-8600
• Text: 289-212-6399

Interval  

• 24-Hour Crisis Line: 905-387-9959

 Martha House  

• 24-Hour Crisis Line: 905.523.6277

Native Women’s Centre  

• 24-Hour Crisis Line: 905-977-0234

Here are some additional resources for those who may need support:

Assaulted Women’s Helpline  

• 1-866-863-0511 (multilingual services available)
• TTY 1-866-863-7868

Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline

• Operating 24/7 to connect victims and survivors with social services, law enforcement, and emergency services, as well as receive tips from the public.
• 1-833-900-1010

Fem’aid Helpline (French Only)  

• 1-877-336-2433
• TTY: 1-866-860-7082

Indigenous Service Canada (ISC) Health and Cultural Support Services for Survivors, Family Members and Those Affected by MMIWG 

• Those affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls are able to access mental health counselling, emotional support, and community-based cultural support services. The service is available in English, French, Cree, Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) and Inuktitut.
• https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1548700698392/1548701361628
• 1-888-301-6426   

Nise Homes

• Transitional home for Muslim, immigrant and/or refugee women and their children. Services are offered in English, French, Arabic, Punjabi, Farsi and Somali. 
• Contact:  1(888)456.8043 EXT. 410  
• Hamilton@nisahomes.com

Talk4Healing Helpline for Indigenous Women  

• 1-855554-4325

Sexual Violence

Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton (SACHA)  

• Crisis Line (905) 525-4162
• sacha.ca 
• (for 16+ only)

The Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence (SA/DV) Care Centre:   

• Provides health care for children, adolescents, women, transgender persons, and men who have experienced sexual assault and/or Gender-based and/or intimate partner violence.

If you have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence and require medical care, visit the following locations and ask for the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE): 

• For children and youth 17 and under
  • McMaster Children’s Hospital emergency department
• For adults 18+
  • Juravinski Hospital & Cancer Centre emergency department
  • Hamilton General Hospital emergency department

THRIVE Child and Youth Trauma Services  

• Provides professional assessment and trauma treatment services, as well as prevention and educational programs. Their treatment programs include comprehensive assessment and specialized treatment for children and youth who have been sexually abused, have been involved in intrafamilial sexual abuse (children and youth within the same family), or have concerning sexualized behaviours.
• Phone: (905) 523-1020
• https://www.thrivechildandyouth.ca/
  • They also provide information & for parents/Caregivers at https://parenttool.thrivechildandyouth.ca/

Women Abuse Working Group

In Hamilton, there are sexual assault services that offer a variety of support for individuals who have experienced recent or historical sexual violence. The Women Abuse Working Group (WAWG) has created the video below to share and raise awareness of the supports available in our city: Sexual Assault Services & Resources in Hamilton (2022) 

• Families Worrying Less Together: If you are a parent/primary caregiver of a student in grades JK to 2 or grades 3 to 6 who is excessively shy, or has intense worries and fears, come learn about the “Families Worrying Less Together” program. This program will give you practical strategies to help your child learn to cope differently. Please note: The program is for parents and primary caregivers, children do not attend.
• Teen Activation Group (TAG): TAG is a treatment group for youth (grades 9 to 12) struggling with depression and anxiety who are not ready to access other treatment options. The group is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Behaviour Activation Therapy. The goal of the group is to help child and youth to reduce their depressive and anxious symptoms and increase their overall activity level, so they can access other treatment options or so they no longer require treatment. The group engages in education sessions, as well as social and physical activities. This is an open group and referrals are accepting on an ongoing basis. To access Social Work Services, please contact the Principal/Vice-Principal of your school or (905) 527-5092 ext. 2806.
• TRAILS to Wellness: TRAILS groups are designed to help our children and youth (grades 6 to 12) who struggle with moderate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and/or depression by teaching evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness skills. TRAILS aims to help children and youth develop effective coping skills and strategies to help manage their emotions and choose helpful behaviours. This is a 10-week program that may be offered virtually and/or in person, as public health guidelines allow. Children and youth who might benefit from the group are primarily having difficulty with both anxiety and depressive symptoms/low mood that is impairing their functioning. Children and youth interested in participating should have some awareness of their struggles and would be motivated to improve their coping skills. Parent sessions are also available as part of the program, so that parents have a better understanding of their child’s mood and anxiety difficulties and effective strategies to continue to improve overall wellbeing. This is a closed group, and we are currently accepting applications. To access Social Work Services, please contact the Principal/Vice-Principal of your school or (905) 527-5092 ext. 2806.
• Mental Health and Well-being – Anxiety: This session focuses on increasing participants’ understanding of anxiety. Participants will learn to identify signs and symptoms, understand what they can do to help, and take away some strategies that can be used at home, school, and in the community.
• Mental Health and Well-being – Low Mood: This session focuses on increasing participants’ understanding of low mood and its impact on students’ performance and overall well-being. Participants will gain knowledge about the signs and symptoms associated with low mood, learn how to help, and take away strategies that may be beneficial at home, school, and in the community.
• Anxiety Infolet for Parents
• Anxiety in Kindergarten
• Anxiety in Youth Infolet
• Depression – when it’s more than sadness

• Black Youth Helpline: 1-833-294-8650. Serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools.
• Black Youth Project: Reminders and affirmations to help Black community members through the pandemic.
• Caribbean African Canadian Social Services: Social services for Black residents, including mental health counselling.
• 8 Mental Health Practices for People of African Descent while Isolated

• As a caring community, we are all shocked and saddened after a tragic event. These rare events can impact each of us differently. We may feel sadness, grief, helplessness, anxiety and anger. Whatever we feel is okay. When supporting a child or youth, please consider the following points.
  • Click here for Support after Distressing Events.

• Catholic Family Services – Various counselling, including walk-in and support programs available to the Hamilton community. (905) 527-3823; 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.

Emotion Coaching is a communication strategy that can calm the brain in as little as 60 seconds, and help improve relationships. Emotion Coaching has two steps:

1. VALIDATION: Letting someone know we understand why they feel, think or act a certain way.
2. SUPPORT: Then, we provide emotional and practical support using strategies like reassurance, limit-setting, redirecting, collaborative problem-solving, teaching skills, etc.

Learn more:

• PDF Flyer: Emotion Coaching for Parents-Caregivers Spring 2022
• Parent/Caregiver Cheat Sheet: Emotion Coaching Cheat Sheet for Parents and Caregivers
• Video: Learn more about Emotion Coaching at HWDSB

• Lost, Late and Scattered – Executive Functioning

• Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) available through MindBeacon or Morneau Shepell: free online cognitive behavioural therapy to develop skills and strategies to address symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. Online support by a therapist.
• BounceBack: 1-866-345-0224. Free program that provides guided mental health self-help supports for those above age 15 using workbooks, online videos and phone coaching.
• Big White Wall: an anonymous online community where members can support each other 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Wellness Together Canada portal: free online resources, tools, apps and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals
• Anxiety Canada
  Leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.
• Your Space Hamilton: Place for youth and families looking for mental health information and supports in Hamilton, Ontario.

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

• Mental Health Support for Indigenous Students –from School Mental Health Ontario site
• De dwa da dehs ny (Aboriginal Health Centre): 905 544 4320. Improving the health and well-being of Indigenous individuals, families and communities through holistic Indigenous, Traditional and Western health care.
• Hamilton Regional Indian Centre: 905 548-9593. To provide the Urban Aboriginal People with the tools to achieve a balanced holistic lifestyle
• Indigenous Call Centre:  905 549 4884, ext. 416. Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg culturally safe call centre that connects Indigenous residents in Hamilton to resources such as food supports and mental health supports.
• Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310. Immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention for Indigenous peoples by calling or using live web chat.
• Talk 4 Healing: 1-855-554-4325. 24/7 support and resources for Indigenous women in 14 languages by calling or texting.
• Mental Health & Wellness Tips: The Assembly of First Nations resources and tips for mental health and wellness during COVID-19.
• Indian Residential School Survivors and Family: 1-800-721-0066. The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone. experiencing pain or distress as a result of their Residential school experience.

• Naseeha Mental Health Hotline: 1 (866) 627-3342. Mental Health workshops, web therapy sessions, and texting mental health support 5 days a week for Muslim and non-Muslims.

• Refuge: Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Mental Health: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people and the world around them. It is a wide range or spectrum of conditions characterized by challenges with speech and nonverbal communication, social skills, and repetitive behaviors, and can cause significant communication, social, and behavioural challenges, placing children and teens with autism at an increased risk for mental health concerns.  Join us to discuss the unique challenges faced by individuals with autism, and strategies that can help to increase their calm. Autism and Mental Health infolet
• CNIB: free virtual programs for those who are blind or partially sighted, their families, friends and caregivers.
• Canadian Association of Community Living: COVID-19 mental health resources for those with disabilities.
• Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health: Children and teens with developmental delays often have difficulty communicating their needs and often experience long periods of heightened stress trying to keep up with the fast pace of the world around them. Join us to discuss the unique challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health concerns (often referred to as dual diagnosis) and learn strategies that may help to increase their calm. Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health infolet.
• Health Care Access, Research, and Developmental Disabilities (HCARDD): virtual mental health supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
• The Gifted Learner and Mental Health: Being a student with a gifted learning profile brings with it potential pros (learning at an advanced pace, opportunity to extend their learning) but also potential cons (not always sharing the same interests with same aged peers, heightened expectations). Being identified as having a gifted learning profile does not necessarily place students at a higher risk for mental health challenges, but it can place them at a unique risk for concerns such as anxiety, depression, and perfectionism. Join us to discuss the unique challenges faced by students with a gifted profile and learn strategies that can help to increase their calm. Gifted and Mental Health infolet
• Learning Disability and Mental Health: Children and teens living with Learning Disabilities (LD) often experience feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and anxiety because their efforts at school may not result in the same grades and recognition as their peers, despite having average range intellectual skills. Not only do these feelings of failure and frustration, as well as difficulty processing information inherent in learning disabilities, make learning and navigating social relationships even harder, they can also place children at increased risk of experiencing mental health concerns. Learning Disabilities and Mental Health infolet.
• Mental Health and Well-being – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: This session focuses specifically on ADHD (inattentive type, hyperactive type and combined type). Research regarding the onset and neurobiology of ADHD will be presented.  Other difficulties commonly associated with, or resulting from, ADHD will be addressed.  Effective strategies that parents and caregivers can use in the home will be discussed. ADHD Parent infolet

HWDSB School-Based Supports

Social Work Services provides individual mental health and well-being supports for children and youth in the following areas:

• Mental health, such as anxiety or low mood,
• School avoidance and non-attendance, personal or social stressors (i.e. adverse childhood experiences, peer relationship, stress substance use,)
• Family stressors that impact the student’s functioning at school
• Experiencing systemic oppression and discrimination (racism, poverty, colonialization, homophobia/biphobia/transphobia, poverty etc.)
• Crisis, such as imminent risk of harm to self or others.

Individual Support can include consultation, assessment, intervention and support in accessing community services; and may include a child or youth’s circle of care, such as caregivers, teachers, and community service providers and identified caring adults. All services are provided by professional social workers registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and are available in all schools. Services may be provided in person and/or virtually, via MS Teams.

To access Social Work Services please contact the Principal/Vice-Principal of your school or (905) 527-5092 ext. 2806.

HWDSB Groups

Social and Support Groups for Transgender, Non-binary, Gender Non-conforming and Gendering Questioning Children and Youth

• Transcend Youth Group: Transcend is a social and support group for transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender questioning children and youth from HWDSB schools. Group meetings are held once/month for two hours and are facilitated by peer leaders with lived experience. Transcend meetings are a welcoming environment which allows youth to develop social connections with others who share some aspect of their identity, so that they can help and support and learn from each other and from the facilitators.
  • Please contact dbyers@hwdsb.on.ca for more information.

 Child/Youth Treatment Groups offered by Social Work Services and Psychological Services

• AFFIRM: Is an 8 session Cognitive Based Therapy informed treatment group specifically for Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ youth to develop coping skills for anxiety and stress related to experiences of discrimination related to their sexual and gender identities. The goals of AFFIRM are to decrease unhelpful thoughts, feel better about yourself and lives and to make healthy choices for sexual and mental health.
  • Register online projectyouthaffirm.org or contact dbyers@hwdsb.on.ca if you have any questions.

• TRAILS Anxiety and Depression: TRAILS (Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students) groups are designed to help our children and youth (Grades 6-12) who struggle with moderate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and/or depression by teaching evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness skills. TRAILS A+D aims to help children and youth develop effective coping skills and strategies to help manage their emotions and choose helpful behaviours. This is a 10-week program that may be offered virtually and/or in person, as public health guidelines allow.  Children and youth who might benefit from the group are primarily having difficulty with both anxiety and depressive symptoms/low mood that is impairing their functioning. Children and youth interested in participating should have some awareness of their struggles and would be motivated to improve their coping skills. Parent sessions are also available as part of the program, so that parents have a better understanding of their child’s mood and anxiety difficulties and effective strategies to continue to improve overall wellbeing.  This is a closed group and we are currently accepting applications.
  • To access Social Work Services, please contact the Principal/Vice-Principal of your school or (905) 527-5092 ext. 2806.

• Teen Activation Group (TAG): TAG is a treatment group for youth (Grade 9-12) struggling with depression and anxiety who are not ready to access other treatment options at this time. The group is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Behaviour Activation Therapy. The goal of the group is to help child and youth to reduce their depressive and anxious symptoms and increase their overall activity level, so they can access other treatment options or so they no longer require treatment.  The group engages in education sessions, as well as, social and physical activities.  This is an open group and referrals are accepting on an ongoing basis.

To access Social Work Services, please contact the Principal/Vice-Principal of your school or (905) 527-5092 ext. 2806.

For Parents

Sex Positive Families
Sex Positive Families provides the education and resources that help families raise sexually       healthy children: https://sexpositivefamilies.com/

Digital Birds and Bees
The digital birds and bees takes a look at online platforms and digital well-being to help mental health professionals, parents and kids understand the risks and benefits of sexual education on the internet: https://digitalbirdsandbees.com/

For Youth

Hamilton Sexual Health Clinics

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,  www.hamilton.ca/people-programs/public-health/sexual-health/sexual-health-clinics or call the info line 905-528-5894.

The Sexual Health Infoline Ontario (SHILO)
A free, anonymous and inclusive eChat and phone service for Ontario residents. This service is staffed by counsellors who provide information, support and referrals in English, French and other languages on sexual health topics. Find more information at sexualhealthontario.ca or call Toll-free: 1-800-668-2437

Every Body Curious
Every Body Curious is an entertaining and educational YouTube series about sexuality and healthy relationships for youth, ages 9-12: https://everybodycurious.com/

Teen Health Source
Teen Health Source is a sexual health information service run for and by youth. Whether teens need information about birth control, sexually transmitted infections, healthy relationships, or puberty, we provide information in a non-judgmental, sex-positive, pro-choice, and inclusive manner: https://teenhealthsource.com/

• Alternatives for Youth: 905-527-4469. Substance use and addiction treatment services for youth and their families by phone.
• Alcohol, Drugs, and Gambling Services Hamilton: 905-546-3606. For information, counselling and programs on alcohol, drugs and gambling. Alcohol and drug programs are for people ages 23 + and gambling program for those age 12+. Family and friends can also call for information and support.
• Cannabis: What Parents/Guardians and Caregivers Need to Know

Staff well-being is important to us at HWDSB. You can visit our intranet Staff Wellness page to discover resources and services available to support you in your wellness journey. We are continuously striving to meet the needs of our diverse community here at HWDSB and aim to build a program that will actively eliminate barriers, foster and maintain a culture of human rights, and hold space for every identity that we serve.

All staff (including casual and non-union) as well as their dependents have access to free and confidential services through Homewood Health, our Employee and Family Assistance Provider (EFAP). You can access Homewood by calling the 24-hour toll-free access number at 1-800-663-1142 or online by visiting homeweb.ca. 

• AFFIRM: Is an eight-session Cognitive-Based Therapy informed treatment group specifically for Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ youth to develop coping skills for anxiety and stress related to experiences of discrimination related to their sexual and gender identities. The goals of AFFIRM are to decrease unhelpful thoughts, feel better about yourself and lives, and to make healthy choices for sexual and mental health. Register online or contact dbyers@hwdsb.on.ca if you have any questions.
• Speqtrum
• LGBT Youth Line: peer support to LGBT youth, age 29 and under. Text and online chat.
• Trans Lifeline Hotline: 1-877-330-6366. Peer support phone service run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers.
• Tips for Supporting Yourself as a 2SLGBTQI+ Student
• Transcend Youth Group and Transcend Caregiver Group: Transcend Youth Group and Transcend Caregiver Group are social and support groups for transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender questioning children and youth from HWDSB schools and/or their caregivers. Group meetings are held once per month for two hours and are facilitated by peer leaders with lived experience. Transcend meetings are a welcoming environment which allows youth to develop social connections with others who share some aspect of their identity, so that they can help and support and learn from each other and from the facilitators.

• Red Book Community Information by Hamilton Public Library provides trusted, up-to-date information about social services and community resources for residents of Hamilton. (905) 528-8127 or 211. Email wehelp@hwdsb.on.cafor more information.