Mental Health Resources

Recognizing we are all in this together, OTIP has compiled a list of resources to help connect you with the resources you need. Whether it is access to mental health services, crisis help lines, or tools for speaking to your children about anxiety and dealing with change, we are here to support you.

Mental Health Organizations and Services
Mindfulness and Meditation Resources
Mental Health/Crisis Line Telephone Services
Helping young children
Youth Resources

Caring for your mental well-being

To support your mental health throughout the school year, check out our Caring for your mental well-being campaign. You can access mental health-related information, resources and expert contributions.

OTIP Wellness Programs

Organization	Contact Information	Description of Service
Starling Minds	More information about the Starling Minds program can be found at member.starlingminds.com. Questions about the program can be directed to members@starlingminds.com	Starling Minds is a self-guided digital program that is available 24/7, private, and tailored to you. Access tools to help better manage your mental health including daily checkups, guided training sessions, and a supportive community. Based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, it can be used with medication or in-person therapy. Ready to get started? Here are your access codes: OTIP members/customers: member Eligible family members: familymember
ALAViDA	Go to try.alavida.com/otip. To create an account on the ALAViDA TRAiL, scroll down and click the “Sign up” button. You will be directed to a registration page where you can fill in your information. In case of any issues, you can email clientservices@alavida.com or call 1.888.315.3634 for support.	ALAViDA offers confidential, evidence-based substance use support from the privacy of your smartphone. The TRAiL is a secure platform where you can track your journey and access self-guided resources available 24/7. No awkward conversations, no shame and 100% confidential.
FeelingBetterNow	feelingbetternow.com	FeelingBetterNow is an online resource available to eligible OTIP members that helps employees identify mental health issues. FeelingBetterNow has compiled several online resources to help OTIP members and their families. Watch the video to learn how you can start FeelingBetterNow®.

Mental Health Organizations and Services

Organization	Contact Information	Description of Service
CAMH	camh.ca	This resource offers FAQs, helpful information on managing stress and anxiety, suggestions for quarantine and isolation and information on the stigma and prejudice that can be associated with COVID-19.
CMHA	cmha.ca	The Canadian Mental Health Association has several online resources to address anxiety and support mental health concerns.
Bounce Back Ontario	bouncebackontario.ca	This free, skill-building program is designed to help adults and youth manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress and worry. Bounce Back Ontario offers online videos and over-the-phone coaching, providing tools to support you on your path to mental wellness.
Homewood Health	homewoodhealth.com/health-centre	Homewood Health provides a range of mental health services to Canadians and has one of the largest mental health and addiction treatment facilities in the country.
PSAC	psacunion.ca	The Public Service Alliance of Canada offers mental health resources for people struggling with their mental health.
Wellness Together Canada	https://ca.portal.gs/	Free counselling, tools and support for all Canadians. Get connected to mental health and substance use support, resources and counselling with a mental health professional.

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Mindfulness and Meditation Resources

Organization	Contact Information	Description of Service
Mindful	mindful.org	From live guided meditations, to a quick course on how to ground yourself, Mindful offers virtual resources to help instill calmness during uncertain times.
University of Toronto	https://www.coursera.org/learn/manage-health-covid-19	The University of Toronto is offering a free course titled Mind Control: Managing Your Mental Health During COVID-19. This course will help you understand the anxiety reaction as it relates to aspects of our current life and will provide strategies for managing and turning off the anxiety response for short periods of time.
Mindfulness Studies	mindfulnessstudies.com	The Centre for Mindfulness Studies offers several pay-what-you-can online programs to help you learn about mindfulness in an uncertain world.
Headspace	headspace.com	Headspace is a meditation app that aims to help people lower their stress, focus more, and sleep better. Whether you’re a beginner, or an experienced meditator, Headspace has a variety of programming and resources.
Calm	calm.com	This popular sleep, meditation and relaxation app offers resources to help calm and relax you.

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Mental Health/Crisis Line Telephone Services

Organization	Contact Information	Description of Service
Kids Help Phone (24 Hours)	1-800-668-6868 kidshelpphone.ca	Canada's only national support service that runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Kids Help Phone offers professional online and telephone counselling, information and volunteer-led, text-based support in English and French across Canada. Kids Help Phone has expanded its mandate to include former youth in care of any age.
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line (24Hours)	1-855-242-3310 www.hopeforwellness.ca	Immediate, culturally competent telephone counselling, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is available in English, French and upon request in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.
Telehealth Ontario	1-866-797-0000 health.gov.on.ca	This free, confidential telephone service connects you to health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse.
211 Ontario	Dial 211 211ontario.ca	Call 211 to find a wide range of mental health supports available across Ontario.
Alberta Health Service – Text4Hope Program	Text COVID19HOPE to 393939 albertahealthservices.ca	This free program sends out daily messages to subscribers with advice and encouragement helpful in developing healthy personal coping skills and resiliency. There is no cost to this service, community members simply need to subscribe to the program.
Assaulted Women's Helpline	1-866-863-0511 (Toll Free) 1-866-863-7868 (TTY) 416-863-0511 (Toronto) awhl.org	This 24-hour telephone and TTY crisis line is available to all woman who have experienced abuse including. Services include counselling, emotional support, information and referrals.
Good2Talk	1-866-925-5454 good2talk.ca	Good2talk provides free, confidential support services for post-secondary students in in Ontario.
Naseeha Youth Helpline	1-866-627-3342 naseeha.org	Naseeha Youth Helpline is a confidential helpline for young Muslims, offering immediate, anonymous and confidential support over the phone.
Trans Lifeline	1-877-330-6366 translifeline.org	This is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers. It connects trans people to the community and offers support and resources that are needed to survive and thrive.
LGBT Youth Line	1-800-268-9688 Text 647-694-4275 Chat youthline.ca	This confidential and non-judgmental peer support operates telephone, text and chat services for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, queer and questioning young people.

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Helping young children

Organization	Resource	Description of Service
PBS Kids	How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus	PBS offers this kid-friendly way to discuss Coronavirus and its impact on our daily lives.
CDC	Helping Children Cope with Emergencies	The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention provides tips on helping your children during times of high stress or emergencies.
Mindheart	Covibook: Supporting and reassuring children around the world	This downloadable PDF is available in 25 languages and allows young children to learn about the virus in a reassuring way.

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Youth Resources

Organization	Resource	Description of Service
Kids Help Phone	Resources around me	This Kids Help Phone tool allows you to find youth-based resources specific to your geographic location.
Kids Help Phone	How can I cope with my feelings about the future?	Kids Help Phone offers advice about processing feelings that is written in a way that youth can relate to and will understand.
CMHA	Tips on how to manage your mental health	Canadian Mental Health Association offers tips for youth to manage their mental health.

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