Mental Health and Addiction Support

• Telephone, email, or walk in services in London, St. Thomas, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Woodstock
• Call 519-673-3242 ext. 222
• Provide screening, assessment, treatment planning and addiction treatment services to persons who are concerned about substance use and/or internet, gaming disorder or problem gambling. Provide support, education and treatment for family members.
• Visit Addiction Services of Thames Valley website

ATLoHSA Family Healing Services is a non-profit organization that provides community members with Indigenous-led programming and services that offer holistic healing, education, shelter and support.

• 24-Hour Crisis Line 1-800-605-7477

CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services is an integrated mental health and addiction agency providing community-based supports and services to individuals living in London and the counties of Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford and South Huron.

Visit the CHMA Thames Valley Addiction & Mental Health Services website for a list of services in Elgin and Oxford Counties.

• Oxford County Elder Abuse and Neglect Committee (OCEAN)
  Coordinator: KarenCassells, kcassells@woodstockhospital.ca

• Elder Abuse Elgin Network
  Chairperson: Bonnie Rowe, bonnierowe2014@gmail.com

Visit the Elder Abuse Network website.

Seniors Safety Line: 1-866-299-1011

The SSL provides contact and referral information for local agencies across the province that can assist in cases of elder abuse. Trained counsellors also provide safety planning and supportive counseling for older adults who are being abused or at-risk of abuse. Family members and service providers can also call for information about community services.

• Provides counselling and mental health services to youth ages 12-17 on probation as well as individual, family and relationship counselling of all ages. 
• Fees are NOT covered by OHIP.  Hourly sessions have a fixed rate; however, fees can be negotiated.
• Office: 19 Queen Street,  St. Thomas, ON
• Phone: 519-633-4423 

Visit the Elgin Counselling and Mediation Centre website.

• Services include confidential counselling, outreach and advocacy, as well as referrals and connections to community resources.
• Office: 400 Talbot St, St. Thomas, ON

• Phone: 631-5470 and 226-377-7820

Visit the Elgin-St. Thomas Youth Employment Counselling Centre website.

Family Service Thames Valley if you have a hearing impairment, contact us via the Bell Relay Service by calling 711, or call 1-800-855-0511 and ask the operator to call 519-433-0183.

FSTV strengthens individuals, couples and families as they face life challenges. We support the well-being of people, organizations and communities through counselling, education, collaborative planning, outreach and advocacy.

• Telephone or Web Chat Service (24 hours/7 days a week)
• Reach Out is a bilingual 24/7 information, support and crisis service for people with mental health or addiction needs living in Elgin, Oxford, Middlesex or London
• Call or text 519-433-2023 or toll-free 1-866-933-2023

Visit the Reach Out website.

SOAHAC’s purpose is to improve access to, and the quality of, health services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in the spirit of partnership, mutual respect and sharing. 

• Toll Free: 1-877-289-0381

Visit the SOAHAC website.

• The Mental Health Care Program provides inpatient and outpatient care to people with mental illness 18 years and older.
• The inpatient unit is recovery oriented and provides short-term and acute care.
•  The outpatient service offers acute care in psychiatry and counselling that is goal-directed and time-limited.
• A referral is required from a Physician or a Regulated Health Care Professional.
• Primary care providers can also attain a psychiatric telephone consultation as is a timely alternative to case consultation when medication optimization or further treatment options are sought.  This can be obtained through the Outpatient Mental Health Care Referral form.
  • Address: 189 Elm Street, St. Thomas, ON
  • Phone: 519-631-2030

Visit the STEGH website.

Real time help is always there – 24 hours a day.

• The phone is answered by compassionate and professional counsellors.
• Women, family members, friends, and professionals are welcomed to call.
• We can help with the crisis, with ideas about how you can help your friend, help for your children, and provide you with information needed to navigate the services in our community web of support.
• Call: 1-800-265-4305 or 519-633-0155
• A safe place to stay – open 24 hours a day with emergency transportation to safety
• Drop in counselling at anytime of day – with a qualified professional counsellor
• Legal consultation without a fee – call to book

Wellkin (formerly OEYEC) provides mental health services for children and youth under the age of 18 in Oxford and Elgin County.

Crisis/Urgent service available during regular office hours and after hours is covered by a worker from C-IT (Crisis & Intake Team) who will provide telephone support. There are various group sessions available such as Strategies for Overcoming Self-Harm, Anger Solutions and Worry Warriors, etc.

Wellkin offers a Youth Engagement Advisory Hub (The Hub). Created by Oxford youth in partnership with Wellkin, the Youth Engagement Advisory Hub is a space dedicated to youth wellness. It’s a place to connect with peers, and to learn about resources and supports in your community.

Additionally, The Hub for Parents & Caregivers is a virtual space offered the first and third Tuesday of each month, promoting wellness for parents and caregivers in Oxford and Elgin counties. Co-developed by Wellkin and Oxford County Library, the Hub is a space for learning, community, encouragement and connections. A place where parents can learn about local resources and connect with others.

Locations:

• St. Thomas - 99 Edward Street, St. Thomas, ON

• Woodstock - 912 Dundas Street, Woodstock
• Ingersoll - 121 Thames Street North, Ingersoll
• Tillsonburg - 1 Library Lane, Tillsonburg
• Crisis Line: 1-877-539-0463

West Elgin Community Health Centre

• Free and confidential counselling services for all ages within the catchment area.
• Self-referrals accepted.
• Office: 153 Main St, West Lorne ON
• Phone: 519-768-1715

Visit the West Elgin Community Health Centre website.

Woodstock General Hospital

Woodstock General Hospital provides assessment, counselling, inpatient treatment and more for children, teens, adults and families. To access these services, contact the Intake Secretary at 519-421-4223 x 2342. The intake social worker will review your concerns and options for service in our programs and /or community services that would assist you and your family.

• Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• 310 Juliana Drive, Woodstock

• Access information, resources and referrals for addiction counselling, treatment, mental health support, crisis lines and support groups
• Dialing 2-1-1
• Visit the 211 website

• Telephone or Web Chat Service (24 hours/7 days a week)
• Call 1-866-531-2600
• Connex Ontario provides free, confidential information and referral to drug and alcohol treatment services across Ontario. Services available in English and French, and can be provided in over 170 languages on request.

Visit the Connex Ontario website.

Kids Help Phone provides immediate, professionals counseling to kids 24/7 about a wide range of issues that include everything from struggles with relationships, to moving to a new school, to cyber bullying, abuse, and mental health concerns.

• Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgmental peer support through our telephone, text and chat services.

• There is a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00pm to 9:30pm.
• Phone: 1-800-268-9688

Visit the Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line website.

• MindYourMind is a not-for-profit youth mental health promotion program.
• MindYourMind works with youth, emerging adults and the professionals who serve them, to develop resources and communication platforms.

Visit MindYourMindPro.ca.

• Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies
• Children’s Aid Society of Oxford
• Family & Children’s Services of St. Thomas and Elgin County

• Practical resources to support school mental health during COVID-19
• Visit the School Mental Health Ontario website for more information

Togetherall is a safe place to talk, share and support others like you online.

BounceBack® is a free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). It is designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.

In crisis?

If you are an adult experiencing a mental health or addictions related crisis:

• Call the Mental Health Helpline “Connex” at 1-866-531-2600

• Call Health811 at: 1-866-797-0007
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
• Find your local CMHA branch

If you are a youth 15-18 experiencing a mental health or addictions related crisis:

• Call the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868, chat live with a counsellor , or text CONNECT to 686868
• Call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency department

CAMH offers an integrated set of web based resources for teachers, schools and allied partners to utilize in their prevention/health promotion work with youth

ETFO and School Mental Health ASSIST have partnered to co-create resources that educators can use to promote elementary student mental health and wellbeing in the classroom using simple, everyday practices that can be embed into daily classroom life. The focus is on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and is the “process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions” (Collaborative for Academic Social Emotional Learning - CASEL, 2016). 

Learn more about Everyday Mental Health Classroom Resources.

• The Gender Creative Kids website provides resources for supporting and affirming gender creative kids within their families, schools and communities.
• There is information and opportunities for connection between parents and caregivers, educators, health and social service providers, researchers, activists, and children and youth across Canada.

The Psychology Foundation of Canada created the Kids Have Stress Too! toolkit in partnership with multiple channels and diverse partnerships across Canada.  Their goal is to develop, promote, support and distribute programs that:

1. “Bring Psychology to Life”, so people across Canada can function more effectively in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities.
2. Help children and adolescents recognize, understand and manage the stresses in their lives.
3. Make parents and caregivers become more aware of children’s ongoing needs to enhance their resilience and build healthy relationships.
4. Minimize barriers and maximize access to support for newcomers to Canada and their communities.

Mindyourmindpro is a not-for-profit youth mental health promotion program that provides professionals resources.

• The Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health works toward an integrated mental health system that meets the needs of children, youth, caregivers and families.
• The Centre works with Ontario child and youth mental health agencies to strengthen services and build an effective and accessible system of care.  They offer a diverse collection of tools, services, products and training to help professionals find, use and share evidence that improve outcomes.

The Safe at School website offers teachers relevant resources regarding bullying prevention, equity and inclusion education (focus on homophobia, racism and sexism) for parents and caregivers and partners in prevention.

School Mental Health ASSIST (Awareness, Strategy Selection, and Implementation Support Team) is a provincial implementation support team, with direct responsibility for school mental health. This team provides leadership, resources and direct coaching support to the province’s 72 Ontario school boards and 5000 schools, serving approximately two million students across six distinct geographic regions. They are working alongside the Ontario Ministry of Education to promote student mental health and well-being across all 72 district school boards.  

Supporting Minds: An Educator’s Guide to Promoting Students’ Mental Health and Well-being

• The guide provides educators with information on the early signs of mental health and addiction problems, along with strategies that can be used in the classroom to support students (kindergarten to Grade 12).