Parent & Caregiver Resources
The resources below are shared to provide you with information that may be useful to you and your family.
Feeling alone in your child’s mental health journey?
Join us for the Better Together Online Peer Support Group for parents & caregivers with children with mental health concerns.
Meetings held online, the 4th Monday of every month from 6:30 -7:30 pm EST, with a break in July and August.
The group meets virtually, on Zoom, on the fourth Monday of every month from 6:30pm to 7:30pm and break for July/August.
Please Note: This group is non-clinical, peer-based support. It offers parents & caregivers an opportunity to meet other families traveling a similar road, share their experience and learn more about topics they are interested in. This is not intended to provide clinical or counseling services.
If you are in crisis, please call the Simcoe County 24/7 crisis line at 705-728-5044 or 1-888-893-8333 or proceed to your local hospital emergency department.
If you support someone in need and feel anxious and overwhelmed with your caregiving responsibilities, you’re not alone. The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) exists to support Ontario’s 4 million caregivers; ordinary people who provide physical and emotional support to a family member, partner, friend or neighbour.
Hybrid (in-person and virtual) support group meeting is for the family caregivers of individuals who live with mental health and/or addictions challenges. Connect with other family caregivers to share your experience and receive the support you need to help yourself cope and manage.
Family awareness and early identification are often the first steps to effective treatment for children and youth with mental health disorders. It’s easy to recognize when a child has a fever. But a child’s mental health is different. It can be difficult to distinguish between ‘normal’ problems that all children and adolescents experience from time to time, and behaviour that may be indicative of a mental health disorder. This resource has useful information to help you learn more about parenting and mental health issues.
Free cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program that offers guided mental health self-help support for adults and youth 15 and older. Toll-free: 1-866-345-0224
Quickly and confidentially connects you to social services and community programs across the province. Available in English and French. Call, text, chat.
Dial 2-1-1
Or visit: 211 Ontario
CMHO is the association representing Ontario’s publicly funded child and youth mental health centres. With the combined strength of our members, they advocate for government investments, policies and programs that are response to the needs of children, youth and families seeking mental health services in Ontario.
Links families to important networks within their communities to ensure they get the care they need and the support of families who can relate and support them. They understand the issues around child and youth mental health challenges and the stigma that prevents the works and conversations that need to happen. They help communities and families access important resources so they can begin their journey of healing.
This resource is for youth and their families to help reduce anxiety, sleep better and feel happier.
This resource is for youth and their families helps you find mental health help in your area.
Helping kids, teens and parents deal with a family breakup.
Child and Youth Mental Health Resources in Simcoe County
Are you in need of mental health services?
Have you, or someone you know, been thinking you need support for your mental health? Are your needs not urgent yet, but you would like someone to talk to?
Take a look at the Non-Urgent Resource section below to see some of the community mental health services that you can try. You can also talk to your family doctor.
For help finding the place that might be right for you, call 211.
What you can expect:
- to have an intake done, this may differ depending on the service
- access to mental health support through local mental health clinics
Non-Urgent Resources
- Long-Term Support for Special Needs
- Access to the Ontario Autism Program
- Case Management (Youth 16-24)
- First Episode Psychosis Services
- Indigenous Focus
- Youth & Family Case Management
- Individual Therapy/Counselling
- Youth & Family Residential Programs
- Individual and Family Therapy
- Group Programs (anxiety)
- Parenting Strategies
- Behavioural Supports (SNAP)
- School-Based Services
- Residential Treatment
- In-home Service
- Francophone Services
- Mental Health Assessment/Counselling
- Anxiety and Mood Programs
Are you in need of urgent support?
Are you, or someone you know, in a non-life threatening situation and:
- showing extreme emotional disturbance or behavioural distress
- thinking or talking about harm to self or others
- disoriented/out of touch with reality
- not able to function properly
- agitated and unable to be calmed
What you can expect:
- a phone response within approximately one hour of call during regular business hours, or the next business day during after hours
- a risk assessment and making a risk safety plan, if required
- support during hospital discharge to the community team
Crisis Services 24/7/365
- Simcoe County: 1-888-893-8333
- Muskoka: 1-844-287-9072
- Bradford: 1-888-310-COPE (2679)
Are you in need of emergency services?
Are you, or someone you know, in a life-threatening situation and:
– Currently threatening harm to self or others
– Severely disoriented/out of touch with reality
– Not able to create a plan for safety
– Have a severe inability to function
– Distraught and out of control
If this is an emergency please go to your nearest hospital or CALL 9-1-1
Getting started with New Path’s free mental health counselling services
Access free counselling support by clicking on the link below. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or online and can be made up to two weeks ahead of time and on the same day.
If you need additional support or have questions, please call or email us: 705-725-7656 / info@newpath.ca