Caregiver Resources

Lots and lots of mental health resources are available. This is just a few.

Crisis Lines

• Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS) Crisis Services Canada (CSC), a pan-Canadian network of local and regional crisis and distress centres, offers a service that enables callers anywhere in Canada to access crisis support using the technology of their choice in French or English. Tel.: 1-833-456-4566; Text: 45645; Chat: www.crisisservicescanada.ca

• Mental Crisis Line of Eastern Ontario Dial 613-722-6914 or 1-866-996-0991 toll free.  Available 24/7, this is the first point of public access to the world of mental health services for persons aged 16 and older who are experiencing serious mental health issues. This could include situational crisis, psychosis, severe depression or anxiety, or suicidal behaviour.

Additional health services and information

• Resources for Caregivers:  The Victorian Order of Nurses has a long history of providing health care services in Canada. For a listing of their Caregiver Resources, including a Caregiver Guide, please visit their website at: www.von.ca and click under Services.

• Self-Help Toolkit:  The Fraser Health Authority and the B.C. Ministry of Health have developed a toolkit for people living with psychotic illnesses. It acknowledges the cognitive challenges that confront many people, but has many practical suggestions for how to respond to them. Click on  Fraser Health Media to view the file.

• Friendship Support Group, Ottawa: A self-help group for people who have a mental illness. The group meets every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Carlington Community Health Centre, 900 Merivale Road, located two blocks south of Westgate Mall. OC Bus 85 and 176.

• Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa: Run by consumers/survivors of the mental health system, PSO offers individual and group peer support and organizes a variety of events each week. Membership is free to psychiatric survivors. For more information, please call Monday to Friday between 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. at 613-567-4379 or visit www.psychiatricsurvivors.org/.

• Mood Disorders Ottawa provides support for people with mood disorders and their loved ones. For information on the Monthly Information Night, the Peer Support Group, the Discovery Events (recreation program) and to view their newsletter, please visit www.mooddisordersottawa.ca/.

• Fear, Anxiety and Other Mental Health Issues: Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods” and has written numerous articles in how to manage persistent fears and anxieties. To read some of his articles, please go to: – an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For more information go to:  Managing Fear

• The Oasis in Kanata - A program that offers information and support for caregivers in Kanata and its surrounding areas. Living with mental illness can be as challenging for those close to the individuals as for the individuals themselves. Events are held at the Glen Cairn United Church, 140 Abbeyhill Drive, Kanata, Ontario, Canada. 

• Mental Health First Aid Basic Course - A 12-hour training course by Mental Health First Aid Canada that focuses on adults with mental illness. Upon completion, participants receive certificate. The course helps people to identify when a person may be a danger to themselves or to others and take steps to preserve life; recognize the early signs of mental health problems and provide help toward preventing more serious problems from developing; provide comfort to someone with a mental health problem and support them in their recovery; and guide a person toward the appropriate professional help.