Mental Health and Wellness

Community services, exercises and tools to support your mental health

During this time of uncertainty many of us need a little help when it comes to our mental health. Below you’ll find available resources and tools to help you through your mental health journey. Most of these resources can be accessed Canada-wide and include toll-free numbers and emails to connect with a service or support. Please note that a few are also specific to the Hamilton region, and some are available only to our full-time students.

Are you in crisis?

If you are:

Feeling desperate and hopeless
Worried you might hurt yourself or someone else, or are having
suicidal thoughts
Alone with no one to talk to

If you have:

The means to hurt yourself or someone else (e.g., pills or a weapon)
Attempted suicide or hurt yourself before

Get help immediately by:

Calling 911
Going to the nearest Emergency Hospital
Contacting the local Emergency Response Service

Support and Tools

McMaster Mental Health Resources

Employee and Family Assistance Program – for McMaster employees
24 hour counselling services through Homewood Health are provided by Human Resources Services.
Call 1-800-663-1142 or click here.

Provides services including sexual violence and support (online / phone services available)
Visit svpro.mcmaster.ca to learn more.

BIPOC Mental Health Resources

Black Youth Helpline
Serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service – offers multicultural youth helpline & services.
Call 1-833-294-8650 or visit blackyouth.ca.

De dwa da dehs nye>s (Aboriginal Health Centre)
Provides programming in seven areas, Health Care (Doctors, nurse practitioners, and other health care professionals), Health
Promotion, Our Health Counts, Advocacy Services, Children’s Programs, Mental Health Programming and Traditional Healing to the Indigenous community of Hamilton, Brantford & Niagara.
Visit aboriginalhealthcentre.com to learn more.

Healing in Colour
A directory of BIPOC therapists who are committed to supporting BIPOC in all our intersections. By helping to connect the community in this way, we aim to revitalize a legacy of healing, liberation work and resiliency practices that have been lost/taken.
Visit healingincolour.com to learn more.

Hope for Wellness (Indigenous Hotline)
Offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
Call 1-855-242-3310 or visit hopeforwellness.ca.

Talk 4 Healing
Indigenous women can get help, support and resources seven days a week, 24 hours a day, with services in 14 languages.
Call 1-855-554-4325.

LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resources

Trans Lifeline
A trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive.
Visit translifeline.org to learn more.

Rainbow Health Ontario Service Provider Directory
Designed to help you find health and social service providers who have expressed a commitment to providing competent and welcoming care to LGBT2SQ people in Ontario.
Visit rainbowhealthontario.ca/lgbt2sq-health/service-provider-directory to learn more.

Speqtrum Hamilton
This site is intended for members of Hamilton’s LGBTQ+ community, families and friends. It showcases important resources for community support with information about faith, health, law, and parenting for queer youth and families.
Visit speqtrum.ca to learn more.

LGBT Youth
Offers confidential and non-judgemental & informed LGBTTQQSI peer support through text, chat and email services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Text 647-694-4275, visit youthline.ca or email askus@youthline.ca.

Women's Mental Health Resources

Assaulted Women’s Helpline
Free, anonymous and confidential telephone and TTY crisis telephone line to all women in the province of Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse – crisis counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals accessible 24/7/365.
Call 1-866-863-0511.

Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre
Provides emergency shelter, safety planning and support services for women with or without children that have experienced abuse or violence in Hamilton.
Email FWRC@intervalhousehamilton.org or call 289-895-8580.

Hamilton Interval House
Provides a safe place, support for abused women with or without children, community outreach services and practice-based research in our shared quest for freedom from violence.
Call their 24-hour crisis line at 905-387-8881.

Martha House
A secure and accessible, 40-bed emergency shelter for women and their children who are homeless and fleeing violence and abuse.
Call their 24-hour crisis line at 905-523-6277 or visit goodshepherdcentres.ca/martha-house.

Women’s Centre of Hamilton
Offers individual counselling, employment counselling and peer support programming.
Email them at womenscentre@intervalhousehamilton.org or call 905-522-0127.

Talk 4 Healing
Indigenous women can get help, support and resources seven days a week, 24 hours a day, with services in 14 languages.
Call 1-855-554-4325.

Community Crisis and Counselling Mental Health Resources

Barrett Centre for Crisis Support
Provides a safe environment in the community and responds to the needs of individuals,16 years of age or older, who experience a mental health crisis and do not require a hospital stay – confidential and free services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call 1-844-777-3571

Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST)
A St. Joseph’s Healthcare program serves the residents of the City of Hamilton who have serious mental health issues or are in crisis. A mental health worker will respond to a call on the COAST crisis line, and they will determine whether to respond with phone support or a mobile team visit.
Call 905-972-8338 or visit coasthamilton.ca.

Hope for Wellness (Indigenous Hotline)
Offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
Call 1-855-242-3310 or visit hopeforwellness.ca.

Community Mental Health Resources

Alcohol, Drug & Gambling Services (ADGS)
Provides information, counselling and programs (telephone counselling available).
Call 905-546-3606 or click here.

Neighbour to Neighbour
Access to the emergency food bank, educational and family supports in the Hamilton area.
Visit n2ncentre.com to learn more.

Good Shepherd Family Centre
Offers temporary emergency accommodation and residential support to families who are experiencing homelessness.
Call 905-528-9442 or visit goodshepherdcentres.ca/the-family-centre.

Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area (SACHA)
Provides free, non-judgmental services based on the belief that survivors are the experts of their own experiences. They have a 24-hour support line, counselling and advocacy services, outreach, and public education programs.
Call 905-525-4162 or visit sacha.ca.

Youth Wellness Centre – operated by St. Joseph’s Healthcare
This is a safe, accessible environment for young people ages 17 to 25 to receive expert care for mental health and addiction issues.
Call 905-522-1155 ext. 31725 or click here.

Bounceback Ontario
A free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). It is designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.
Call 1-866-345-0224 or visit bouncebackontario.ca.

ConnexOntario
Provides free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness and/or gambling – 24/7 confidential and free.
Call 1-866-531-2600 or visit connexontario.ca.

Good2Talk
Provides confidential, over the phone support services for post-secondary students in Ontario.
Call 1-866-925-5454 or visit good2talk.ca.

Mind Your Mind
Exists in the space where mental health, wellness, engagement and technology meet. They work with community partners and young people aged 14 to 29 to co-create interactive tools and innovative resources to build capacity and resilience.
Visit mindyourmind.ca to learn more.

Online Mental Health Resources

AbilitiCBT
Free, virtual CBT based therapy that addresses anxiety and depression is available to all Ontario residents, 16+. There are 10 modules to work through at your own pace with a therapist that tracks progress and checks in. Ability to access past modules for up to 1 year.
Visit https://myicbt.com/ to learn more.

Bounceback Ontario
A free, skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). It is designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness. Phone coaching, workbooks and videos are available in many different languages.
Visit bouncebackontario.ca to learn more or all 1-866-345-0224.

Good2Talk
Provides confidential, over the phone support services for post-secondary students in Ontario. Provides professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and wellbeing. Free, text-based support can also be accessed that is connected with trained volunteer crisis responders.
Call 1-866-925-5454 or visit good2talk.ca.

Mind Beacon
Free mental health support for Ontario residents 16+ dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and more that is completely digital therapy. It is a therapist guide program that is based in CBT. Can work with therapist for up to 12 weeks and then have access to resources for up to 1 year.
Visit https://www.mindbeacon.com/ to learn more.

Wellness Together Canada
Provides free, private, confidential services for mental health and addictions that are available 24/7. Create an account to track your progress. Supports include managing low mood, coping with stress, coping with COVID-19, managing substance use, managing worry and strengthening relationships.
Visit https://wellnesstogether.ca/en-ca to learn more.

Helpful Apps for Mental Health and Wellness

Be Safe Learn More

Find local resources for support and prepare yourself if you are in crisis.

Calm Learn More

Sleep and meditation app to help decrease stress and anxiety.

Headspace Learn More

Meditation app to help reduce stress.

Mindshift CBT Learn More

CBT based strategies for anxiety relief with CBT based tools, a thought journal, coping cards, healthy habits, goal setting, grounding techniques, etc.

MoodTools Learn More

Free app available that includes depression test (PHQ-9) to track symptom severity, a thought diary to help improve your mood and safety planning during a suicidal crisis to keep you safe

Rootd Learn More

App with lessons on anxiety and stress to help with a better understanding of how to manage it. Also includes journaling, deep breathing, visualization and sleep relaxation.

Continuing Education