A newcomer centre is a one stop shop for individuals who recently immigrated to Canada and are looking for additional support in adjusting. They provide employment support, help you connect with the local community and also assist in finding programs and services such as language classes.
When it comes to domestic violence it’s important to make people aware of services they can access and assure them that they don’t deserve abuse. Domestic violence is a crime in Canada and all individuals have equal rights to safety here.
You could suggest that they speak to someone they trust and as a friend, learn the signs when someone is at high risk for serious harm. You can call the Assaulted Women's Helpline for free in Ontario, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-866-863-0511. The service is anonymous, which means you don’t need to give your name or other personal information. If a women’s helpline doesn’t apply to you, you can also reach out to 211 Ontario to find other services to support you.
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after experiencing or being witness to trauma. Trauma can be defined as the impact of an especially distressing event or experience, such as abuse, assault, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, death, military combat, and more. PTSD is more common than you think, and there are treatments and ways to heal from trauma.
Taking time to understand the signs and symptoms of different mental health conditions can help us identify what might be happening when we aren’t feeling our best. It can also help us understand what our friends and family might be experiencing.
When someone is experiencing clinical depression it can impact many aspects of their life. Reaching out for support and finding a treatment plan that works for them can make a big difference and help them to navigate through their illness. Depression can be complicated but taking time to educate yourself about it can help you understand it better.
Mental health stigma can be a huge barrier in getting the support that someone needs. This stigma can come in many different forms such as self stigma, social stigma and structural stigma. Self stigma is when an individual holds negative assumptions about themselves and their mental health condition. Social stigma is the stigma that society holds for individuals who are experiencing mental health issues. Last is structural stigma, this is the stigma within institutions that prevent individuals from feeling safe and comfortable in accessing support.
The LGBT YouthLine is a youth-led organization in Ontario that provides peer support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth who are 29 and under. Their HelpLine offers confidential phone, text, and chat support. Visit their site for information about their hours and more!
Kids Help Phone is a free 24/7 helpline for youth, but they can also help people of all ages to get support. You can talk to volunteer crisis responders or a professional counsellor if you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, afraid, or a variety of other challenging emotions. Services are available in English or French.
Call 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868. The service is anonymous, which means you don’t need to give your name or other personal information.
