Safety First: Emergency Support
If you or someone you know needs urgent mental health help to stay or get safe, please:
- Call CMHA Crisis Response Service at 807.346.8282 for telephone crisis support 24/7.
- If the situation is potentially life threatening, call 911 for emergency services, or go to the hospital emergency department.
- At school, tell a staff person so that crisis help can be arranged.
Know what to do in a crisis or emergency situation and where to turn for help in Thunder Bay by downloading the free safety planning App for teens, Be Safe, on any Android or iOS device.
Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board offers services and mental health resources for students, families and staff to assist with challenges and meet your needs. Please visit the following links to learn more.
Places to Get Help for Your Child
If you are concerned about your child’s emotional state or behaviour, these may be starting points in your search for support:
- Ask friends, family members, or members of your community if they are aware of counselling services that would be helpful in dealing with your situation.
- Speak to your family physician or child’s paediatrician, and request a referral to support.
- Contact your Employee Assistance Program representative.
- Reach out to your child’s Guidance Counsellor or School Administration.
Local Services:
Visit a local walk-in/talk-in counselling clinic for support and referrals. Full list and calendar available here.
CMHA Crisis Response Line
Access support 24/7
Call: 807.346.8282 | District/Toll Free: 1.888.269.3100
Kids Help Phone
Access support 24/7 by calling, texting, or use the website chat function and resources.
Call: 1.800.668.6868
Text: CONNECT to 686868
Talk4Healing
HelpLine for Aboriginal Women living in Northern Ontario
Help line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Services in 14 languages.
Call: 1.855.554.4325
School Mental Health Ontario
School Mental Health Ontario supports Ontario schools to enhance the quality and consistency of mental health programming in Ontario schools. SMHO also provides resources to parents on mental health awareness, activities, tip sheets, videos and important questions you might have.
The Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute is an independent nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health or learning disorders.
Children’s Mental Health Ontario
Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) represents Ontario’s publicly funded Child and Youth Mental Health Centres. Their goal is to promote a coordinated and high-quality system of care that puts children, youth and families first.
Back-to-School Mental Health Kit
While back-to-school is hard for many children and youth each year, this year kids are facing extraordinary circumstances in the return to school and routines. We know parents are experiencing unprecedented stress and are worried about their kids’ mental wellness. To help, Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) has prepared a Back-to-School Mental Health Kit.
