Resources – Mental Health and Disability Community – Services and Providers
Welcome to our Mental Health Resources page, a comprehensive guide to support services across Canada. We understand the importance of access to mental health resources, and our goal is to provide a centralized hub for individuals seeking assistance. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call or text 988, a toll-free 24/7 helpline. Explore the resources listed below to find local support tailored to your province. Remember, seeking help is a courageous step toward well-being, and you’re not alone on this journey.
National
The Canadian Mental Health Association operates offices nationwide, recognizing that mental well-being is influenced by various factors in our daily lives, such as navigating the demands of work, health, and relationships. To support you in maintaining mental fitness and health, they provide resources to address these challenges. http://www.cmha.ca/mental-health/
The objectives of the Canadian Psychological Association involve the promotion of excellence and innovation in psychological research, education, and practice. Additionally, the association is committed to advancing, developing, disseminating, and applying psychological knowledge. https://web.cpa.ca/
National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS), has had the mandate to support full access to education and employment for post-secondary students and graduates with disabilities across Canada. http://www.neads.ca/en/
People First of Canada is the national voice for people who have been labeled with an intellectual disability. http://www.peoplefirstofcanada.ca/
Thalidomide Victims Association of Canada is a non-profit charitable organization, representing over a hundred Canadians who were born disabled as a result of the thalidomide drug, a drug prescribed in the late 1950s and early 1960s to pregnant women to relieve morning sickness. http://www.thalidomide.ca/
Canadian Psychological Association is the national voice of the discipline and profession of psychology in Canada. They support and promote the science, practice and education of psychology and its application in the service of the health and welfare of Canadians. http://www.cpa.ca/aboutcpa/
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Opportunity Works Calgary Inc. provides the support and guidance that entrepreneurs with mental health challenges need to succeed and they do it all at no cost to program participants. http://www.opportunityworks.ca/
British Columbia
The British Columbia Schizophrenia Society is a province-wide family support system with 30 Branches and over 1600 members dedicated to supporting each other, educating the public and advocating for better services for people with schizophrenia. http://www.bcss.org/aboutbcss/2013/06/vision-mission-and-values/
New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
Alternative Residences Alternatives Inc. offers a variety of housing services from crisis intervention care, 24 hr. supervised care, independent shared residences, and independent single apartment housing options for clients living with a mental illness. http://www.alternativeresidences.org/
The 13 New Brunswick Community Mental Health Centres (CMHC), are responsible for managing community-based programs and ensuring ongoing community, consumer, and family involvement through community Advisory Committees (CAC). http://www.gnb.ca/0051/index-e.asp
LakeCity Employment Services Association is a non-profit agency that offers free employment services to people with a mental illness. Their service is mobile and is available throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). http://www.lakecityemployment.com/
The Ability Employment Corporation is a not-for-profit organization that provides career counselling and job placement services to persons with disabilities and those facing barriers to employment in the discovery zone. http://abilityemployment.com/about-us
Consumers’ Health Awareness Network Newfoundland And Labrador (CHANNAL) is the only consumer-led mental health organization in the province. They are a provincial non-profit organization that exists to build and strengthen a self-help network among individuals who live with mental health issues. http://channal.ca/about-us/who-is-channal
Our Voice allows the freedom to express opinions on topics, which are relevant to wellness, madness, and its treatment in New Brunswick or elsewhere. This publication serves as an empowering tool in public education, advocacy and community pride for people who have lived experiences with psychiatry. www.ourvoice-notrevoix.com
Ontario
The Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD) promotes, supports and enables Canadians with disabilities to lead active, healthy lives. They are an alliance of individuals, agencies and national associations that facilitates and coordinates partnerships among its network members. http://www.ala.ca
Adult Mental Health Services Haldimand-Norfolk REACH provides children’s mental health services, developmental services, autism services, youth justice services, family services, a residential program for youth and early learning and care services in the Hamilton/Niagara Region. 1-800-265-8087 http://www.hnreach.on.ca
A-Way Courier was founded by former psychiatric patients specifically to provide jobs for survivors of mental health challenges. Yes, the patients are running the institution, and they have been running it successfully for over 25 years, with more than 1,900 customers. http://www.awaycourier.ca/
Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses (CFMHN) is operated by psychiatric and mental health nurses, for psychiatric and mental health nurses, and strives to ensure a national voice in matters relevant to psychiatric and mental health nursing. http://cfmhn.ca/
The Community Network Support Team (CNST) is a program committed to the improvement of mental health and addiction knowledge and resources for the people of Grey and Bruce counties. http://www.mhagb.ca/content/community-network-support-team
Fresh Start Cleaning and Maintenance is a company staffed by psychiatric survivors that place an emphasis on communication, teamwork, problem solving, decision making and conflict resolution in nonprofit employee-driven business environment. Supportive environment with flexible schedules. karen@freshstartclean.com
Hong Fook Mental Health Association cultivates holistic health in mental illness treatment and wellness. Working together with clients, consumers, and their families, Hong Fook has grown to three service locations in Toronto: Downtown, North York and Scarborough. https://hongfook.ca/
Independent Living is a philosophy, a way of viewing oneself and a way of society viewing people with disabilities. It is a matter of perception. This philosophy is facilitated by Independent Living Canada and its network of member Independent Living (IL) Centres. https://www.ilcanada.ca
Leeds & Grenville Rehabilitation & Counseling Services works to foster recovery, well-being and hope for those living with mental health issues by providing the right combination of services, treatment and support, at the right time and place. https://www.lgmentalhealth.ca/
Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA) is run by and for consumers that develop occupational skills, nurture self-confidence, and provide resources for recovery, by creating opportunities for participants to contribute to their own well-being and that of their community. https://nisa.on.ca/
Peer Development Initiative: Peer supporters are living, breathing proof that recovery is achievable. They can help you navigate the journey to wellness by shedding light on the rocky parts. https://www.peerworks.ca
The Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office protects and promotes the rights and entitlements of Ontarians with mental illness through advocacy, rights advice, and education. https://www.sse.gov.on.ca/mohltc/ppao/en/default.aspx
Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa (PSO) is a non-profit member-driven organization founded in 1991 by a handful of consumer/survivors of the mental health system. PSO has grown into a dynamic group of over 200 consumer/survivors from all walks of life. Membership is free to psychiatric survivors. http://psychiatricsurvivors.org/about-us.html
Grey Bruce Community Health Corporation provides counseling, case management and housing support for adults with a serious mental illness (ie. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression) in Grey and Bruce Counties. Tel. 519-376-2121 ext. 2460. http://www.gbhs.on.ca/programs.php?pgid=111
Ontario Peer Development is an organization of organizations of Consumer/Survivors and Peer Support in Ontario. All are agreed that people can and do recover with supports in place, and that peer support is integral to successful recovery. https://opdi.org/
Quebec
AMI-Quebec helps families manage the effects of mental illness through support, education, guidance, and advocacy. Most programs are free! 1-877-303-0264 https://amiquebec.org/