Crisis Lines

9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline is available across Canada, 24 hours a day, every day. This three-digit helpline provides urgent, live support by phone and text. 9-8-8 is for anyone thinking about suicide or worried about someone they know. Trained responders answer calls and texts and listen without judgement while providing support.

Call or text 9-8-8 toll-free, anytime for support in English or French. For more information, visit 988.ca.

If your mental health and/or substance use needs are a medical emergency, or if there is a concern you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

Regional crisis lines

Mental Health Crisis Line

crisisline.ca
Phone: 613-722-6914 (within Ottawa) or toll-free – 1+ (866) 996-0991 (outside Ottawa)

A crisis is different things for different people. You may be having difficulty dealing with stress, overwhelming feelings, symptoms of depression, anxiety or psychosis, suicidal thoughts, or have concerns regarding your mental health or that of your loved ones. This 24/7 service is staffed by professionally trained crisis line responders and is intended for individuals 16 years of age and older who live in Ottawa and rural Ottawa, including Prescott and Russell, Renfrew, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, and Akwesasne.

Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region Mental Health Crisis Line

dcottawa.on.ca/i-need-help
Crisis line: 613-722-6914
Distress line: 613-238-3311
Text: 1-343-306-5550 (10 a.m.–11 p.m.)
Online chat: dcottawa.on.ca (10 a.m. –11 p.m.)

The Distress Centre has approximately 210 volunteers answering over 60,000 calls a year and provides an important and vital service in our community. Phone lines are open 24/7. Anyone is welcome to call this confidential, non-judgmental, and open-minded telephone line, or reach out by text. 

Mental Health Service Renfrew County Crisis Management

pemreghos.org/mhsrc-crisis-management
Phone: 613-732-3675 ext. 8116 or toll-free 1-866-996-0991

Mental Health Services Renfrew County (MHSRC) provides bilingual telephone support for anyone 16 years of age and older who may be experiencing a crisis related to mental health or substance use. As well as:

  • Referral when indicated to the local OPP Mobile Crisis Team, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily 
  • Rapid assessment, de-escalation and stabilization of those in crisis with the help of supporting caregivers, family and friends
  • Facilitation or prevention of acute hospital admissions
  • Follow-up visits and in-community support
  • Access to wellness information and community resources

Youth Services Bureau ( YSB)

ysb.ca
Phone: 613-260-2360 or toll-free 1-877-377-7775 (Eastern Ontario)
Online chat: chat.ysb.ca

This 24/7 crisis line and chat service is geared towards children and youth ages 18 and under who are experiencing a crisis. Parents, guardians, caregivers, friends, or service providers who are concerned about a young person in crisis are also welcome to call. YSB assistance may include supportive listening, immediate crisis counselling on the phone or by chat, information on resources and service providers in the community, and referrals to child and youth service providers.