Mental Health and Counselling

This category includes a range of mental health supports for people who are pregnant, new parents or young children.

Assaulted Women's Helpline

Phone:
Crisis Line Number: 1-866-863-0511
Crisis Line Number: 416-863-0511
TTY Number: 1-866-863-7868
Cell: #7233 (Text on Bell, Rogers, Fido, or Telus mobile phone)
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address:
Hours:
Mon-Sun
24 hours
,
Online chat available Mon-Fri 11am-8pm
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all women experiencing domestic violence who are age 16 and older and all friends, families, neighbours, and others in contact with abused women.

How to apply:

Phone, live chat on the website, or text #SAFE (#7233). Visit website for more information.

Provincial telephone and online (chat) crisis counselling, emotional support, information and referrals to emergency shelters, legal information and community services, as well as culturally appropriate resources for abused women.

  • liaison with diverse communities
  • confidential and anonymous

Barrett Centre for Crisis Support Services

Phone:
Crisis Line Number: 905-529-7878
Toll-Free Number: 1-844-777-3571
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address: Hours:
Mon-Sun
24 hours
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. People who stay overnight at Barrett Centre must be able to physically care for themselves or have supports in place.

How to apply:

Apply through referral or call the crisis line.

A crisis response program serving the needs of individuals in the community who are experiencing a crisis and need support but do not require a hospital stay, or are transitioning from psychiatric hospitalization back to the community. Offers short-term bed stay, in-person counselling, and telephone counselling. Collect calls are accepted.

Centre de Santé Communautaire Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program

Phone:
Work: 905-528-0163 x3230
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Contact for information.
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

For French-speaking expectant and new mothers and their partners, as well as parents of children up to one year of age.

How to apply:

Contact for information.

Aims to educate new mothers on healthy interactions with their babies through prenatal classes, nutrition counselling, and postnatal home visits. The program includes:

  • Promoting healthy choices during pregnancy
  • Preparing for birth
  • Breastfeeding
  • Awareness of postpartum depression
  • Mother-and-baby care after birth

Centre de Santé Communautaire Counselling Services

Phone:
Toll-Free Number: 1-866-437-7606
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Contact for information.
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to French-speaking individuals

How to apply:

Contact for information.

Counselling services provided by registered social workers or registered psychotherapists. Mental health services are available for children, youth, and their families, as well as for adults and people dealing with addictions. Includes one-on-one counselling, family counselling, group workshops, and support groups.

Child and Adolescent Services

Phone:
Work: 905-546-2424 x3678
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Walk-in Single Sessions
Mon, Wed 3:30pm-7pm; Tue, Fri 8:30am-12 noon; Thu 1pm-4:30pm
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Call for details. 

How to apply:

For ongoing counselling and therapy services, call Contact Hamilton at 905-570-8888 or email info@contacthamilton.ca to arrange for a referral.

Child and Adolescent Services is a community-based children’s mental health clinic, providing confidential and free mental health counselling and treatment for children and youth under 18, and their families. Walk-in single session counselling is available at a first-come, first-served basis. Please allow 90 minutes for the session. 

Support is available for children, youth, and families with:

  • Social, emotional and behavioral difficulties
  • Self-harm
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief
  • Gender and sexuality
  • Trauma
  • Fire setting
  • School difficulties

Connect Mental Heath and Addiction Outpatient Programs

Phone:
Work: 905-522-1155 x36499
Fax Number: (905) 389-3815
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Individuals with mental health concerns. 

How to apply:

Complete and submit the online application form. If the fillable form will not open, download the flattened referral form, complete it by hand and fax it to 905-389-3815

Connect is a centralized intake service for St. Joe's Mental Health and Addiction outpatient programs.

Accepts and processes referrals for the following clinics:

  • Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic
  • Mood Disorders Program
  • Women’s Health Concerns Clinic
  • Schizophrenia Outpatient Clinic
  • Cleghorn Early Intervention for Psychosis Clinic
  • Youth Wellness Centre
  • Seniors Mental Health
  • Outpatient Eating Disorders
  • Concurrent Disorders Program
  • Community Psychiatry Clinic
  • Bridge to Recovery Program
  • East Region Mental Health Service

Counselling and Community Services

Phone:
Crisis Line Number: 905-387-8881
Work: 905-522-0127 (Hamilton)
Work: 289-895-8580 (Flamborough)
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
By appointment only.
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Women experiencing domestic abuse, and their children.

How to apply:

Contact to book an appointment. 

Services provided by Interval House of Hamilton at Women's Centre of Hamilton and Flamborough Women's Resource Centre. Provides support for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse including:

  • community counselling services
  • individual counselling
  • employment counselling
  • peer support
  • wellness and recovery groups
  • safety planning
  • housing services

Crisis Line for Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area

Phone:
Crisis Line Number: 905-525-4162
Contact:
Maria Contreras, Office Coordinator
,
Lenore Lukasik-Foss, Director
Email: Web: Address:
Hours:
Mon-Sun
24 hours
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all.

How to apply:

No application required.

24 hour crisis line offering confidential support for survivors of all genders who have experienced sexual violence as well has friends, family, and any others seeking information. Can organize accompaniment to the hospital or the police.

Crisis Outreach and Support Team

Phone:
Crisis Line Number: 905-972-8338
Toll-Free Number: 1-844-972-8338
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address:
Hours:
Mon-Sun
24 hours
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. 

How to apply:

Call the crisis line to self-refer, 24 hours a day seven days a week. Agencies can refer by obtaining crisis alert forms to submit by fax (acquire from office, keep on hand) or calling the business line.

Emergency crisis line and response team to assist individuals who have serious mental health issues and who are in crisis. Also supports caregivers in the management of acute mental health concerns and crisis.

Intake can be initiated by individuals directly or through their family members and caregivers. Referrals are accepted from community agencies and professionals. 

If anyone is at immediate risk of serious harm, CALL 911 instead. This includes medical distress or injuries, violence/use of weapons, or any immediate threat to someone’s physical safety. 

Fem'aide

Phone:
Crisis Line Number: 1-877-336-2433
TTY Number: 1-866-860-7082
Contact:
Email: Web: Address:
Hours:
Mon-Sun
24 hours
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Francophone women 16 years and older.

How to apply:

Call, text, or visit the website.

Confidential helpline for Francophone women dealing with violence that offers:

  • crisis intervention
  • support and referral to community agencies

Good Shepherd Centres, 24 Hour Women's Crisis Line Services

Phone:
Crisis Line Number: 905-523-6277
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address: Hours:
Mon-Sun
24 hours
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all individuals experiencing domestic violence, and all families, friends, and others seeking information.

How to apply:

No application required.

24 hour confidential crisis line offering support for individuals experiencing domestic violence. Offers emergency counselling, crisis intervention, safety planning, and referral to community services or other emergency shelters.

Good Shepherd Centres, Mental Health Crisis Line

Phone:
Crisis Line Number: 905-529-7878
Toll-Free Number: 1-844-777-3571
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address: Hours:
Mon-Sun
24 hours
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all.

How to apply:

No application required.

24 hour confidential telephone support and crisis intervention. Provides referrals to local community supports and inpatient programs, including the Good Shepherd Barrett Centre for Crisis Support.

Good2Talk

Phone:
Crisis Line Number: 1-866-925-5454 (24/7 support)
Crisis Line Number: 686868 (Text GOOD2TALKON)
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address:
Hours:
Mon-Sun
24 hours
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to post-secondary students in Ontario.

How to apply:

For text message support, text GOOD2TALKON to 686868. The first few messages received will be automated messages from Kids Help Phone giving information about the service and privacy policy, before being connected to a volunteer Crisis Responder. The conversation can be ended anytime by texting the word STOP.

Free and confidential helpline that provides professional counselling, information, and referrals for mental health, addictions, and well-being to post-secondary students in Ontario. Operates in partnership with Kids Help Phone, ConnexOntario, Ontario 211, and the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions.

Hamilton Postpartum Peer Support Group

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Prenatal or postpartum up to 12 months. 

How to apply:

Email or fill out the form online.

Online peer support group, facilitated by a registered midwife, for individuals experiencing symptoms of perinatal mood disorders (PMD). People who attend the group will receive support and encouragement from peers in a safe, nonjudgmental atmosphere, while sharing stories, discussing problems, and seeking solutions.

Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Home Visiting Program

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Pregnant women and parents with children from birth up to school entry

How to apply:

Call Health Connections at 905-546-3550 for referral information or fax referral

Public health nurses and family home visitors provide prevention, early intervention, and prenatal support to at-risk families.  Focus is on healthy child development and parenting skills.  Services include:

  • Prenatal support
  • Fostering parent-child connection
  • Promoting child's growth and development
  • Connecting parents with community resources
  • Discuss breastfeeding, infant nutrition, and healthy eating
  • Mental health support for postpartum depression or anxiety

Hope for Wellness Helpline

Phone:
Toll-Free Number: 1-855-242-3310
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address:
Hours:
Mon-Sun
24 hours
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all Indigenous people

How to apply:

Call or chat via the website.

Offers confidential counselling by telephone and online chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Provides immediate, culturally relevant mental health counselling and crisis intervention, and refers callers to additional supports if needed.

Inasmuch House Crisis Line Services

Phone:
Crisis Line Number: 905-529-8600
Crisis Line Number: 289-212-6399 (Text)
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address:
Hours:
Mon-Sun
24 hours
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all individuals experiencing domestic violence, and friends, family, and any others seeking information.

How to apply:

Call, text, or web chat for support. 

Offers text message and web chat support for women experiencing abuse and homelessness. Provides confidential emotional support, practical advice, safety planning, and referrals to other local services.

Kids Help Phone

Phone:
Crisis Line Number: 1-800-668-6868
Crisis Line Number: 686868 (Text)
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address:
Hours:
Mon-Sun
24 hours a day
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all kids, teens, and young adults in Canada.

How to apply:

For text message support, text GOOD2TALKON to 686868. The first few messages received will be automated messages from Kids Help Phone giving information about the service and privacy policy, before being connected to a volunteer Crisis Responder. The conversation can be ended anytime by texting the word STOP.

National call, text, and live chat counselling services for youth. Services are free, anonymous, and confidential.  Professional counsellors are available 24/7 for support, information, and referrals. Services include: 

  • Mental health tips and info
  • Crisis support
  • Professional counselling
  • Support forums and real-life stories
  • A support service directory

Nurse-Family Partnership Program

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

First time mothers, 21 years of age or less, in first or second trimester of pregnancy.

How to apply:

Call Health Connections at 905-546-3550 for referral information or fax referral

A prenatal and infancy home visitation program for young, first time parents provided by public health nurses. Program begins during pregnancy and for the first two years of the children’s lives.

Goals include improving pregnancy outcomes, improving child health and development, and improving parents' self-sufficiency. Nurses provide support and education on health, child development, parenting issues, life goals and access to community resources. 

Public health nurses are available to visit agencies and organizations, to further explain the program and the referral process.

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton Youth Wellness Centre

Phone:
Home: 905-522-1155 x31725
Crisis Line Number: 905-972-8338
Fax Number: 905-527-8291
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Wed, Thurs
1pm-4pm
Drop-in Counseling
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Youth experiencing emerging mental health and addiction concerns, looking for support transitioning from child and adolescent mental health services to adult mental health and addiction services, attending Mohawk College, McMaster University, or Redeemer University College, and/or facing significant barriers to accessing care for mental health or addiction concerns.

How to apply:

Self-referral or referral from community agency or medical professional. 
Fill out the online referral form.

Offers care for mental health and addiction issues to young people age 17 to 25 in a safe environment.  Clinical mental health care is offered in an early intervention stream, a transition support stream, and from a mobile team.  Drop-in counselling is also available.  The Centre has staff who are from the LGBTQA+ community and offers psychiatrists with expertise in working with trans youth.

WrapAround Hamilton

Phone:
Toll-Free Number: 1-866-347-0041
After-Hours Number: 905-320-8373
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all individuals and families in Hamilton and surrounding areas who have a history or risk of repeated hospitalization, incarceration, homelessness, mental health issues, personal harm, or placement outside the family home.

How to apply:

Contact for information.

Offers support through a collaborative process that helps families with complex needs find solutions to leading a better life, through the support of a team made up of family, friends and community.

YWCA Hamilton Good Beginnings

Phone:
Work: 905-522-9922 x310
Contact:
Liliana Figueredo, Program Coordinator, Good Beginnings, YWCA Hamilton
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Contact for information.
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Mothers with babies under 6 months of age, who are feeling overwhelmed or who are at risk of postpartum depression.

How to apply:

Anyone may make a referral for a parent with a newborn.

Provides free in-home support for mothers with babies under 6 months of age to cope with the challenges of having a newborn, and/or for women who are at risk of postpartum depression. Weekly visits from a trained volunteer provide practical support, social interaction, and time for self-care.