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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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Anxiety Canada | 604-620-0744 | anxiety canada | |
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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. |
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School Mental Health Ontario | smho-smso.ca | Provincial mental health tool for educators & students: provides evidence-informed strategies and services |
|
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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 |
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HOW TO HELP A FRIEND |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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OneROOF Youth Services | (519) 742-2788 | 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 | 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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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YMCA & KW Multicultural Centre Settlement Services | www.ymcathreerivers.ca/immigrant-services/Settlement-Services.asp | YMCA & KW Multicultural Centre Settlement Services – support to newcomers with, advocacy, language support, case management, navigating immigration, etc |
|
WEBSITES |
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| School Mental Health Ontario – https://smho-smso.ca/
Jack.Org – https://www.jack.org/ Anxiety Canada – https://www.anxietycanada.com/ Mind Your Mind – https://mindyourmind.ca/ Waterloo Catholic School Board Mental Health & Wellbeing – https://www.wcdsb.ca/programs-and-services/mental-health-and-well-being/ WCDSB_Wellness Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wcdsb_wellness/ |
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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 |
| 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 |
