People standing on a bridge with campus in the background.

Community resources (off-campus)

On this page you will find mental health-related resources available online, by phone, or in person in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.

The list provided here suggests a few resources, depending on the mental health topic or issue for which you are looking for help, but you can also use the eMentalHealth.ca database search tool (see below) to help in your search. It is an excellent tool to find a great variety of services near you (including walk-in counselling clinics, helplines, and mental health professionals).

Counselling Connect

Counselling Connect provides free access to a same-day or next-day phone or video counselling session. This service is for children, youth, adults and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area. There is no waiting list.

The Walk-in Counselling Clinic

The Walk-in Counselling Clinicoffers free same-day counselling services in multiple languages to people in the greater Ottawa. In-office counselling is currently not possible, but, all their services are open with remote options.

Centretown Community Health Centre

Centretown Community Health Centreoffers individual and couple counselling in many languages in people living around downtown Ottawa. All appointments are currently done by phone. Call 613-233-4443, ext. 2109.

Step 1: Check your insurance coverage

We highly recommend that you check any personal insurance plans you have and plans through family members or employers to see if you have coverage.

Students:

The UOSU health plan and the GSAED health plan both cover a portion of psychologist consultation fees, up to an annual maximum amount.

Employees:

The Employee and Family Assistance Program also offers free, short-term counselling to all regular employees. The extended health plans for many employee groups also cover a portion of psychologist consultation fees, up to the maximum amount if you have a medical referral (check your benefits page to see if you are eligible).

Step 2: Find a registered professional near you

In Ontario:

In Quebec:

Elsewhere in Canada:

Look for your province or territory's College of Psychologists or College of Registered Psychotherapists. Most of the time, they will offer tools to find a professional that is suited to your needs and location.

If you have immediate safety concerns for yourself or others, call 911. If you wish to talk to someone now, call one of the 24/7 crisis support services.

If you wish to learn more about suicide prevention and awareness to help others, take a look at the resources below:

Crisis Text Line

Hands texting on a phone.

The Crisis Text Line (powered by Kids Help Phone) is a free text-based help line that can be used by anyone, in any type of crisis. Text HOME to 686868 from Canada, anytime. No need for a data plan or Internet connection.

To communicate in French, simply text PARLER to the same number.

Skill-building: BounceBack – Reclaim Your Health

Back of a person with Gee-Gee scarf.

BounceBack – Reclaim Your Health is a free skill-building program for Ontario adults and youth (15+) who wish to learn how to better manage symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The program gives you access to workbooks and telephone coaching, as well as a series of informative videos. Topics addressed include: being assertive, better sleep and changing negative thought patterns.

To participate in the program, you must get referred by your primary care provider, since he or she can make sure you get support that matches your needs.

Daily mental health tool

Folder and papers.

The "HealthyMinds" App (created by The Royal Hospital)

Life as a student can be stressful - assignments, part-time jobs, sports, clubs, relationships, family responsibilities. In fact, during your years as a student, you will face some of the most intense pressures of any point in your life. Stress can take a toll on your mind, weighing you down and even making you ill, so it’s important to take action to stay healthy. That’s what HealthyMinds is all about.

HealthyMinds is a problem-solving tool to help deal with emotions and cope with the stresses you encounter both on and off campus. The goal: Keeping your mind healthy.

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Did you know that you have access to counselling via your student health plan?

Undergraduates

Your UOSU Health Plan gives you access to 1) extensive insurance coverage for counselling and 2) to the Empower Me support program.

Graduates

Your GSAED Health Plan gives you access to 1) partial insurance coverage for counselling and 2) to the Student Support Program (SSP).

Visit the counselling page for more information.

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Mental Health Resources for Students: A guide by Initiative 1/5

Initiative 1/5 is a student-run organization that is aimed at promoting mental health literacy on campus and in the community. They have compiled a guide for students to navigate various mental health resources on and off-campus.

depression, psychologists, etc.

city or postal code