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Canadian Mental Health Association

The Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region

 

Working within the continuum of mental health services, the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region contributes to a healthier and safer community by providing suicide prevention, crisis intervention, psychological stabilization, emotional support, information, referral, and education services, without judgement, to individuals in need.

 

The Distress Centre call line is available , at the following number:

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The Distress Centre recently added a text and chat line which operates between 1000 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., seven days a week.

 

Text at 343-3006-5550, or

Chat at: www.dottawa.on.ca or see the website at:

Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region | 613-238-3311 (dcottawa.on.ca)

 

 

​​The Mental Health Crisis Line (serving persons over 16 years of age)

 

The Mental Health Crisis Line provides direct public access to people experiencing a mental health crisis, with 24/7 service in both French and English.It is staffed by volunteer responders, supported by professional staff.

 

The Mental Health Crisis Line also provides access to a Local Crisis Action Team, who provide crisis intervention, assessment, consultation, and links to community support.Members of the team will respond to a call within minutes and can, where appropriate, see someone face-to-face within 24 hours of the call.

 

The Mental Health Crisis Line phone numbers are:

 

613-722-6914 (within Ottawa); or

Toll-free at 1-866-996-0991 (outside Ottawa)

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Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Assistance Program

 

The VAC Assistance Service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

 

When a veteran or family member makes a call, the caller is connected directly a mental health professional who can provide between 1 and up to 20 hours of confidential support and, at your request, they can also connect you with a local mental health professional for direct support.

 

The service is not only for PTSD or OSI but includes support on the following difficulties which could affect the well-being of a veteran or his family:

 

  • Work-related issues;

  • Health concerns;

  • Family and marital problems;

  • Psychological difficulties;

  • Bereavement; and

  • Other problems that affect your well-being

 

At your request they can also connect you with a local mental health professional for direct support.

 

The contact number for the VAC Assistance Service is:

 

Toll-free: 1-800-268-7708

TDD/TTY: 1-800-567-5803

 

More information can be obtained at the following webpage:

 

 

​​TAO TEL-AIDE

 

TAO TEL-AIDE is an Outaouais-based 24/7 crisis line for francophones (although some literature indicates it is only available from 08:00 a.m. to midnight).Contact numbers are as follows:

 

From Ottawa: 613-741-6433; or

From Gatineau: 819-775-3223.

 

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Counselling Connect

 

Counselling Connect is a bilingual service available to children, youth, adults, and families in Ottawa and the surrounding areas.It provides free access to same-day or next-day phone or video counselling sessions, and sessions may be booked on the following webpage, where the caller may identify the specific concern for which he or she seeks counselling:

 

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Crisis Services Canada / Suicide Prevention

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Distress and Crisis Ontario (DCO) is a service at which callers can find a listening ear for anyone who is feeling lonely, depressed, suicidal, or struggling otherwise. Most centres operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and include Suicide Survivor programs, support services for youth, telephone call-out programs for seniors and other vulnerable populations, mental health crisis lines, and more.  They also offer helpful online pamphlets supporting mental wellness.

 

The nearest DCO Centre is located in Lanark County, near Carleton Place, with another located in Grenville/Hawkesbury

 

Phone, chat, or text contact information is located on the following webpage:

 

https://www.dcontario.org/who-we-are/#

 

The phone lines referred to by DCO are the same lines as those for the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region

 

Ottawa distress line: 613-238-3311

Outaouais distress line: 1-866-676-1080

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