Blue Monday is supposedly the most depressing day of the year. While that statistic might come from a travel agency, it’s easy to get stuck with the Winter blues. So, here are some local mental health resources to keep in mind for this Blue Monday (and every other day of the year).
Ottawa Mental Health Crisis Line
If you’re feeling like you’re in a crisis, you can call the Ottawa Mental Health Crisis Line at (613) 722-6914. If you have a youth that’s in crisis, you can call (613) 260-2360. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region
The Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region serves the Ottawa area 24 hours a day, with specialists ready to offer confidential and bilingual support. You can call them at (613) 238-3311. Or, you can chat with a specialist 7 days a week from 10 am to 11 pm by texting (343) 306-5550 or visiting their website here.
Good2Talk
Post-secondary education can be a tough time. If you’re a post-secondary student looking to talk to someone, Good2Talk has professionals ready and willing to talk to you 24/7 by calling 1 (866) 925-5454.
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone offers confidential phone and web counseling 24/7 to children ages 20 and under. They can be contacted by calling 1 (800) 668-6868. Kids Help Phone also powers the Crisis Text Line for people who would rather text than talk on the phone. This line is open to adults and is available 24/7. To use the Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 686868.
Counselling Connect
Counselling Connect is a service that provides people of all ages with same-day or next-day counselling via phone or video chat. This service is free of charge, and there are no waitlists. To access Counseling Connect, visit their site here.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is a 24/7 phone line for LGBTQ+ folks in crisis. Call 1-866-438-7386 or visit their website for chat and text options here.
Hope for Wellness Line
The Hope for Wellness Line offers 24/7 support for Indigenous people. Hope for Wellness provides experienced and culturally competent counselling and crisis intervention services. Phone and chat service is available in English and French and phone service can be requested in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut. Call 1-855-242-3310 or learn more here.
These are only some of the mental health services being offered in Ottawa. For a more extensive list, please click here.