Mental health services for children and youth
How to find mental health support for children and youth under the age of 18.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call a helpline.
Find mental health support
There are hundreds of programs and services across Ontario that offer help to children and youth with mental health and addiction concerns up to 18 years of age.
How to find support
To find mental health services for children and youth in your community:
- visit Kids Help Phone Resources Around Me
- type in your location
- select the topic “Counselling and Mental Health Support”
- select “Find Resources”
- choose from the counselling and mental health support services from the drop-down list or interactive map to select the resources that are right for you
When to ask for support
Contact a mental health agency if you need help for a child or youth with behavioural, emotional and/or mental health and addiction issues. This includes:
- anxiety
- attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD)
- depression and other mood disorders
- schizophrenia
- eating disorders
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of children and youth mental health issues
Community based child and youth mental health services
The following services may be available and vary by location:
- crisis support services
- targeted prevention
- brief services/quick or short-term sessions to address immediate needs
- counselling and therapy services
- supports to build family capability to adapt/respond to children in need
- specialized consultation and assessments
- intensive treatment services
- culturally sensitive mental health and addictions services
Lead agencies for mental health services by region
Lead agencies across the province oversee and coordinate the delivery of mental health services and programs in their region and work with community partners to provide a wide range of supports for children and youth.
Contact any of the organizations below to learn more about the mental health services available for children and youth in your area:
Fees
There is no fee to access these programs and services.
Youth Wellness Hubs
- Easily accessible services for youth aged 12-25 and their families located all in one convenient, welcoming place designed with youth, for youth
- Offer convenient and faster access to Integrated Youth Services (IYS) including mental health services, support for substance use concerns, primary health care, social services, housing, employment and more with a network of 22 hubs across Ontario serving more than 30 communities
- Services are free and range from low to high intensity supports including rapid walk-in services, booked appointments and virtual services
- Find a Youth Wellness Hub in your community
Helplines
In the event of an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital or emergency department.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact:
Kids Help Phone
- For children and youth
- Provides professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being
- Phone and online via web post or live chat
- Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Free, anonymous and confidential
- Call:
1-800-668-6868 to speak with a professional counsellor - Text: CONNECT to 686868 to connect with a trained, volunteer Crisis Responder
Good2Talk
- For people between the ages of 17-25
- For post-secondary students in Ontario
- Provides professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being
- Free, confidential and anonymous helpline
- Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Call:
1-866-925-5454 to speak with a professional counsellor - Text: GOOD2TALKON to 686868 with a trained, volunteer Crisis Responder
Mental Health Helpline
- All ages
- Provides information about counselling services and supports in your community
- Listens, offers support and provide strategies to help you meet your goals
- Provides basic education about mental illness
- Call:
1-866-531-2600
Ontario Distress Centres
- All ages
- A free telephone help-line for people experiencing emotional distress (including suicide)
- Provide listening and referral services primarily through highly trained volunteers
- Most centres are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Call a distress centre in your area
Resources
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
- A pediatric health and research center providing family-centred patient care for children and youth aged 18 and under
- Runs specialized programs for eating disorders, autism, psychiatric mental health, sexual assault, telepsychiatry and early language development
Children’s Mental Health Ontario
- Represents and supports the providers of child and youth mental health treatment services
- Includes 85 accredited children’s mental health centres that provide support to families and treatment to young people facing mental health problems
- Services are provided at no cost to clients
- Find a children’s mental health centre in your community
Mindyourmind
- A space where youth can get information, resources and tools to manage stress, crisis and mental health related problems
- Inspires youth to reach out, to get help for themselves or to give help to their friends who may be experiencing tough times