School Supports

  • Attendance counselling – trying to discover reasons behind student absenteeism and strategize possible solutions
  • Address and dialogue with students regarding any behavioural issues in the class and create a plan for the cessation of such behaviours
  • Crisis intervention and referral to supports
  • Co-ordinate team meetings with parent/ guardian, administration, support staff (social worker, child & youth care worker, attendance counsellor) when deemed appropriate
  • Liaise with community partners such as YMCA Settlement Workers, CJI Mediators, WRPS School Resource Officers and Ray of Hope counsellors
  • Liaise with outside facilities and agencies, i.e. Mosaic Counselling, K-W Counselling, CAIP, etc.

Click here to access Child & Youth Worker (CYW) – supports at St. Mary’s

Click here to access school supports for time management, organization, self-advocacy, self-care and academics.

Community Supports

Summer 2025 – Mental Health Resources – last updated June 2025

Community Supports – 3 page – printable PDF – last updated – December 2024

Service Contact Info Website Description

QUICK ACCESS/CRISIS SUPPORTS

Here 24/7: Mental Health Crisis Line 1-844-437-3247 here247.ca Addictions, mental health and crisis
services provided by 11 partner agencies.
Serves as both a crisis service as well as a guide to help figure out how to get help for mental health and additions in Waterloo-Wellington.
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline Text or Call 9-8-8 https://988.ca/ CMHA’s Crisis line for those struggling
with thoughts of suicide.  Crisis support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to anyone in Canada thinking about suicide or worried about someone who is.  Trained responders will listen without judgment, provide support and understanding, and inform about resources that can help.
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868,
or text CONNECT to
686868
www.kidshelpphone.ca Anonymously call, text, or use a live
webchat if you need someone to listen.  Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering FREE multilingual, and confidential support to young people.  Children and youth can connect with a professional counsellor via phone/text, 24/7 or via Live Chat.  Counselling service daily, 7pm-12am.  No appointment necessary.
One Stop Talk www.onestoptalk.ca Free mental health support (ages 0-17):
single-session counselling support and
direct referral to additional services.  Connects children in Ontario up to their 18th birthday with a registered mental health professional.  Free virtual counselling sessions. No appointment necessary. Mon.-Fri. 12pm-8pm, Sat. 12pm-4pm. Single session therapy. Can be accessed as often as needed.
Camino Mental Health & Wellbeing Quick Response Counselling 519-743-6333

press 1

camino wellbeing Provides a variety of resources and services
that help people reach their full potential,
wellbeing and mental health. Quick Access
appointment options are available.  Child/Youth Quick Response (single session counselling).  FREE service for children up to 18.  Sessions can be in-person/virtual/by phone.  By appointment only.  Staff can assist with connecting youth to waitlist for more ongoing services if needed.
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region 24 hr. support: 519-741-8633
office: 519-571-0121
300-151 Frederick St., Kitchener
www.sascwr.org Counselling and support services for individuals age 16+ who have experienced a sexual assult or sexual exploitation.  *Note: counselling services may have a waiting list of approximately 3 to 6 months.*

Also offers a 24 hour support phone line.

Hope For Wellness Helpline 1-855-242-3310 www.hopeforwellness.ca Available to all Indigenous people across Canada. Experienced, culturally competent counsellors are reachable by phone and online ‘chat’ 24/7.  Telephone support is available upon request in Cree, Ogibway (Anishinabemowin) and Inuktitut.
Black Yourth Helpline 416-285-9944 www.blackyouth.ca Serves all youth and specifically responds
to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools.  Available every day, 9am-10pm.
Muslim Youth Helpline 1-866-627-3342 www.naseeha.org Muslim mental health helpline that provides culturally competent and spiritually appropriate counseling to diverse populations.  Is designed to address the unique mental health challenges faced by Muslims.  Those of different faiths or no faith are welcome to call.  Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

OTHER WELLNESS SUPPORTS

Front Door to Child & Youth Mental Health 519-749-2932 press 1 front door Supports youth up to their 18th birthday who experience mental health, emotional or behavioural challenges by providing assessment and links to services in the area.
Starling Community Services
Safe Haven Youth Shelter
(formerly Lutherwood)
519-749-1450 starling – safe haven youth shelter Safe Haven Youth Services provides crisis, respite, and life launch services to youth between the ages of 12 and up to their 18th birthday living in Waterloo Region.
Anxiety Canada 604-620-0744 anxiety canada
LGBT YouthLine text ONLY
647-694-4275
www.youthline.ca Confidential and non-judgmental peer support through text and chat services.  Contact a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00pm to 9:30pm.
School Mental Health Ontario smho-smso.ca Provincial mental health tool for
educators & students: provides evidence-informed strategies and services
Mind Your Mind www.mindyourmind.ca The space where mental health, wellness,
engagement and technology meet:
interactive tools & innovative resources,
co-created with young people aged 14-29,
to build capacity and resilience

HOW TO HELP A FRIEND

BeThere.org n/a www.bethere.org Information to help youth to support a friend who is struggling with their mental health.  Learn to recognize warning signs and how to safely support them to get the help they deserve.

SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORTS

Ray of Hope 519-578-8018
659 King St. East, Suite 230, Kitchener
www.rayofhope.net Therapeutic support for youth aged 13-21 with substance use, addiction, screen time, or other compulsive behaviour concerns.  Support is also available for parents/caregivers. *Fees for some programs.  Scaling options available.

EMERGENCY FOOD OR SHELTER

FoodBank of Waterloo Region 519-743-5576
50 Alpine Court, Kitchener
www.thefoodbank.ca The Foodbank of Waterloo Region
provides a range of services including
emergency food banks, hampers,
community meals, etc.
OneROOF Youth Services (519) 742-2788

info@oneroof.org

oneroof.org oneROOF Youth Services is committed to providing for the safety, support and overall well-being of youth who are experiencing homelessness, and youth who are at-risk of homelessness, aged 12-25, in Waterloo Region.
House of Friendship Family Outreach Program (519) 742-8327

info@familyoutreach.ca

houseoffriendship.org The Family Outreach Program is a neighbourhood-based program funded by the Region of Waterloo that works with families with children aged 17 and under to prevent and reduce the effects of poverty and assist with basic needs.

Additional Supports

Muslim Social Services 519-772-4399 Ext. 2707
The Family Centre Hub,
65 Hanson Ave, Kitchener
www.muslimsocialserviceskw.org Provides culturally- and spiritually-sensitive humanitarian and social
services to Muslim and non-Muslim
communities
The Healing of the Seven Generations 519-570-9118
300 Frederick St., Kitchener
www.healingofthesevengenerations.ca Assists First Peoples residing in the
Region of Waterloo and surrounding
areas: works with individuals and families
who are suffering the inter-generational
impacts of the residential school system
OK2BME 519-884-000
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health
480 Charles St. East, Kitchener
www.ok2bme.ca A set of supportive servies (including ccounselling and youth groups) for 2SLGBTQIA+ children, teens, adults, and their families in Waterloo Region.
Compass Refugee Centre 519-571-1912
230 – 675 Queen St. S., Kitchener
www.compassrefugee.ca Compass Refugee Centre (Formerly MCRS)
provides a wide variety of services to
refugees including support with the
refugee claim process,
translation/interpretation, family
reunification support, job training,
housing and food security, etc.
African Family Revival Organization 548-889-3506
737 Belmont Ave. W, Suite 4, Kitchener
www.afrofamily.ca AFRO is a grassroots, mutual aid
organization serving the Black and
African communities in Waterloo Region
that enables all members of our
community to participate in Canadian
society as active citizens
Kind Minds Family Wellness 226-336-1988
7-808 Courtland Ave. East, Kitchener
www.kindmindsfamilywellness.org Kind Minds Family Wellness (KMFW)
comprises a group of Black professionals
who engage in trauma-informed work
with individuals, families, and groups
Parents for Children’s Mental Health 416-921-2109 ext. 128
email: support@pcmh.ca
www.family.cmho.org Support, information, service navigation,
and mentorship for families caring for a
child with mental health concerns
Waterloo Region Family Network 519-886-9150
500 Hallmark Drive, Waterloo
www.wrfn.info Support, information, service navigation,
and mentorship for families caring for a
child with special needs
Counselling Collaborative of Waterloo Region central intake: 519-884-0000 www.counsellingwr.ca Partnership of 6 local counselling
agencies working together to make
counselling services (all ages) more
accessible to individuals with a limited
income. Fees may be fully or partially
subsidized depending on individual
circumstances and the service requested
House of Friendship 519-742-8327
236 Victoria St. N., Suite 3A,
Kitchener
www.houseoffriendship.org Family Outreach Workers in this
neighborhood-based program walk with
families to help meet basic needs by
problem-solving solutions together,
connecting them with services in their
community and providing direct support
when necessary
YMCA & KW Multicultural Centre Settlement Services www.ymcathreerivers.ca/immigrant-services/Settlement-Services.asp

www.kwmulticultural.ca/settlement

YMCA & KW Multicultural Centre
Settlement Services – support to
newcomers with, advocacy, language
support, case management, navigating
immigration, etc

WEBSITES

School Mental Health Ontariohttps://smho-smso.ca/

Jack.Orghttps://www.jack.org/

Anxiety Canadahttps://www.anxietycanada.com/

Mind Your Mindhttps://mindyourmind.ca/

Waterloo Catholic School Board Mental Health & Wellbeinghttps://www.wcdsb.ca/programs-and-services/mental-health-and-well-being/

WCDSB_Wellness Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/wcdsb_wellness/

Community Supports

CRISIS SERVICES & MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Here 24/7: Mental Health Crisis Line
Contact Info 1-844-437-3247
Website here247.ca
Description HERE 24/7 serves as both a crisis service as well as a guide to help figure out how to get help for mental health and addictions in Waterloo-Wellington
Kids Help Phone: Text, Phone Messenger & Live Chat
Contact Info Phone 1-800-668-6868
Text “Connect” to 686868
Website kidshelpphone.ca
Description Connects children and youth to a trained counsellor either by phone, text, or live webchat 24-hours a day. Services are anonymous.
Black Youth Helpline
Contact Info 1-833-294-8650
Website blackyouth.ca
Description Black Youth Helpline serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools.
Hope for Wellness Helpline
Contact Info 1-855-242-3310
Website hopeforwellness.ca
Description Hope for Wellness Helpline is available to all Indigenous people across Canada. Experienced, culturally competent counsellors are reachable by phone and online ‘chat’ 24/7.  Telephone support is available upon request in Cree, Obibway (Anishinabemowin) and Inuktitut
Naseeha
Contact Info 1-866-627-3342
Website naseeha.org
Description Naseeha is a mental health hotline answering calls from Muslim and non-muslims. Naseeha Mental Health provides a safe zone for youths and individuals to talk and get the help they need. They offer texting support 7 days a week.
LGBT Youthline
Contact Info Phone 1-800-268-9688
Text: 647-694-4275
Website youthline.ca
Description Confidential and non-judgmental peer support through telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30pm
Sexual Assault Support Centre
Contact Info (519)571-0121
24 Hour Crisis Line: (519)741-8633
Website sascwr.org
Description Counselling and support services for individuals who have experienced a sexual assault or sexual exploitation.
Also offers a 24-hour support phone line
EMERGENCY FOOD OR SHELTER
SafeHaven Youth Shelter
Contact Info (519)749-1450
Website lutherwood.ca
Description Safe Haven Youth Services provides crisis, respite and life launch services to youth between the ages of 12 and up to their 18th birthday living in Waterloo Region.
OneROOF Youth Services
Contact Info (519)742-2788
info@oneroof.org
Website oneroof.org
Description oneROOF Youth Services is committed to providing for the safety, support and overall well-being of youth who are experiencing homelessness, and youth who are at-risk of homelessness, aged 12-25, in Waterloo Region.
House of Friendship Family Outreach Program
Contact Info (519)742-8327

info@familyoutreach.ca

Website houseoffriendship.org
Description The Family Outreach Program is a neighbourhood-based program funded by the Region of Waterloo that works with families with children aged 17 and under to prevent and reduce the effects of poverty and assist with basic needs