Crisis Counselling: Canada & Crisis Intervention Mental Health Support

There are times when a person may need emotional support for navigating a crisis, such as the type of support that may be offered through crisis counselling. While regular counselling services can foster mental health and help in managing symptoms of a mental illness, crisis counselling sessions have a different purpose. Learn about the various mental health resources for crisis support throughout Canada, including free counselling, peer support, and mental health services for crisis intervention.  

The role of crisis counselling (Canada)

Crisis counselling aims to provide mental health support and offer suicide prevention services. For example, you may find a suicide crisis helpline where you can speak to someone trained to listen and offer support for a suicide crisis. These services are offered by various organizations and can be found throughout Canada. You may also find help through a mental health line for particular issues, such as gender-based violence. However, many resources are tailored to residents of specific regions and counties.

Crisis counselling (Canada) main helpline 

The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) recommends contacting the suicide crisis helpline by calling or texting 9-8-8, 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Counsellors are trained to offer trauma-informed and culturally sensitive support to individuals experiencing mental health challenges. The Kids Help Phone hotline is also available for people under 18 and can be reached at 1-800-668-6868.

Resources for Indigenous communities

Mental health resources specifically aimed at Indigenous communities are also available. Two crisis counselling resources include:

• Hope for Wellness, intended for Indigenous People, which offers culturally competent, trauma-informed crisis intervention and support. It also provides referrals to community-based services. They can be reached at 1-855-242-3310.
• The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line for former National Indian residential school students offers  crisis support. Qualified counsellors can be reached 24/7 at 1-866-925-4419.

Quebec region resources 

For Quebec, CASP also offers resources in French. You can also search for crisis resources in particular provinces through CASP's search tool. These mental health resources also list services, such as a suicide crisis helpline, and other resources offering help for different concerns. 

Crisis resources throughout Canada

Many agencies and organizations may offer crisis counselling. The following are a few mental health resources listed by the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) for the Toronto region and surrounding areas:

• Suicide crisis helpline: Call or text 988 for help throughout Canada.
• Canadian Mental Health Association - Crisis Services Canada can be reached at any time, toll-free at 1-833-456-4566. 
• Toronto Distress Centre: 416-408-4357 or 408-HELP
• Spectra Helpline For attendants who speak English, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, or Portuguese, dial 416 920-0497; or call 905-459-7777 if you are a Brampton or Mississauga resident.
• Assaulted Women's Helpline offers virtual counselling services between 11am and 8 pm at 416-863-0511. They also have a toll-free crisis line that can be reached at 1-866-863-0511. 
• Community Crisis Line Scarborough and Rouge Hospital: Call 416-495-2891 for 24/7 support. 
• Toronto Community Crisis Service offers a crisis service team without involving the police.
• Multilingual Distress Line provides crisis intervention, emotional support, and suicide prevention from 10am to 10pm EST at 905-459-7777.
• Trans Lifeline offers peer support for trans and questioning people, offering support and resources from 10 am to 4 am EST at 1-877-330-6366.
• LGBT Youthline offers trained peer support for 2SLGBTQ+ people 29 and under (Text: 647-694-4275, Chat: youthline.ca, Phone: 1-800-268-9688).
• Naseeha, an international hotline primarily intended for Muslim youth, offers immediate support for navigating various challenges, including bullying and domestic issues: Call 1-866-627-3342 (NASEEHA) or text 1 (866) 627-3342 (NASEEHA).
• Toronto Seniors Helpline/ Woodgreen Crisis Outreach Services for Seniors offers supportive counselling over the phone for seniors experiencing emotional distress. The services can also connect individuals to in-person assessment, crisis counselling, and short-term intensive care. The mobile crisis team is available daily from 9:00am-5:00pm at 416-217-2077.
• National Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line offers support to former residential school students in crisis. Help is available every day, 24 hours a day. Call 1-866-925-4419.
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape offers crisis counselling and crisis intervention for women who have experienced any form of abuse. Help is available 24 hours a day, every day at 416-597-8808.
• Assaulted Women’s Helpline offers discrete crisis counselling, safety planning, and referrals to women in Ontario. Services are also available for those who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing. Call 1-866-863-0511 or text 1-866-863-7868.
• The National Farmer Crisis Line provides free crisis support for farmers, agricultural workers, and their families at 1-866-FARMS01.

Mental health services for mental health challenges

The Canadian Mental Health Association can also connect you to mental health services. You can contact your local CMHA by using their search tool. CMHA also provides free help through mental health coaching by phone for adults and youth over 15 years old. These coaching sessions are called BounceBack, which are intended for those who are experiencing mild-to-moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress. However, these services are not a substitute for a crisis helpline, such as a suicide crisis helpline.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Symptoms of depression can be mild to severe, causing significant changes in the way a person feels, acts, and behaves. There are also different types of depression, including persistent depressive disorder, atypical depression, and major depressive disorder (clinical depression). Major depressive disorder is considered the most severe type of depression, causing a person to feel sad, low, or despondent for most days for at least two weeks. A person experiencing depression may be at a higher risk for suicide, so they may benefit from services like a suicide crisis helpline.

Common symptoms of depression

While mental health symptoms of depression can vary, there are some common symptoms. The main symptom of depression tends to be a sad and hopeless mood, lasting for at least two weeks and interfering with daily functioning. Other symptoms include:

• Trouble sleeping
• Changes in appetite
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling worthless, hopeless, guilty, or pessimistic
• Thoughts of suicide (suicidal ideation)
• Losing touch with reality

While thoughts of suicide do not necessarily mean that a person will act on their thoughts, it may be best to err on the side of caution. Crisis counseling through a suicide crisis helpline can help a person experiencing these types of thoughts. 

Signs of risk for suicide

According to CAMH, a person may be at a higher risk for suicide if they present certain signs. These signs include giving away prized possessions, expressing a wish to die, increased substance use, and a sense of hopelessness. Often, a suicide crisis helpline can help individuals navigate these thoughts, offering crisis counselling and guidance. 

How about if you're worried about someone else?

If you're worried about a loved one, it can help to directly ask about what they're experiencing. Along with depression symptoms, risks of suicide may include expressing a wish to die, saying others will be better off without them, increased substance use, and giving away possessions. If you notice risk factors for suicide in a loved one, you may want to seek help by calling a suicide crisis helpline.

What to do if a family member is considering suicide?

Broaching the subject of suicide with a family member you're worried about can be a first step in seeking help. As well as guiding them towards mental health resources, you may also consider the following:

• Seek a support network that can accompany your family member to healthcare and therapy appointments, if needed.
• Encourage them to seek therapy.
• Encourage the person to avoid substance use.
• Keep a suicide crisis helpline handy.

Online therapy for mental health support 

Although there are times when help through a suicide crisis helpline or other emergency services may be needed, therapy can play an essential role in helping individuals navigate mental health challenges. Online therapy, for example, can be a convenient way to have sessions with a credentialed therapist who can help you manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other challenges affecting mental health. A platform like BetterHelp also allows you to receive therapy by phone, videoconferencing, or live chat, which can be especially helpful when you want to reach your therapist without having to commute to appointments.

Is online therapy effective?

While therapy has a different role compared to a suicide crisis helpline, it can help a person manage symptoms of depression. Findings indicate that online therapy can play a role in reducing suicide ideation and depression. One meta-analysis of various studies suggests that online therapy using cognitive behavioral therapy might help reduce suicide and depression when compared to traditional, in-person therapy.