24 Hour Helplines

These services are available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Action Canada Access Line

Phone:
Toll-Free Number: 1-888-642-2725
Cell: 613-800-6757 xText
Contact:
Email: Web: Address:
Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all.

How to apply:

No application required

A free and confidential service that provides information and referrals on sexual health, pregnancy options, abortion, and safer sex.

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.

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, 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 Police Service, Non-Emergency Reporting

Phone: Contact:
Email:
Web: Address: Hours:
Mon-Sun
24 Hrs
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

No restrictions

How to apply:

Used for reporting incidents that are non-urgent or not life-threatening. Can also be used for making general inquiries or for those looking for police support and resources. Non-emergency incidents can be reported over the phone, online or in person at any Hamilton police station.

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.

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

Ontario Poison Centre Phone Line

Phone:
Toll-Free Number: 1-844-764-7669
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.

Provides expert poison advice over the phone 24 hours a day, offering help with poison emergencies and with questions about poisoning.

Available assistance for:

  • Concerns that a poisoning has occurred
  • Information on how to prevent poisonings
  • Treatment advice for health-care professionals