Mental Health Resources

A student's mental health can affect their school performance, attendance and achievement. Positive mental health can impact learning, yet up to 20 percent or more of children and youth experience mental health problems at some point. 

Schools and parents share a collective responsibility, not only to respond to a student's mental health need, but to include the promotion of positive mental health and prevention of illness in our school communities.  Education, awareness and the de-stigmatization of mental health are crucial pieces of the puzzle.  

High school students can self-refer to a number of services offered through the Student Well-Being Department. Visit the Student Well-Being Page for more information.

ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids)

ROCK Access and System Navigation (ASN): One Call, All Access for Child and Youth Mental Health

Access and System Navigation (ASN) is a service housed at ROCK, which is developing toward one point of access for children/youth/families and professionals supporting a child or youth who require information or services from a community-based mental health agency in Halton Region. ASN will provide information and assist in completing assessments to determine the supports and services that meet the level of care for the child or youth.

For youth and parents/caregivers, please contact the ASN team at 289-266-0036 to access services.

ROCK Reach Out Centre for Kids was designated by the Ministry of Child and Youth Services (MCYS) as the child and youth mental health Lead Agency for Halton. With programs and services that run out of 11 sites and three main offices, ROCK is committed to providing inclusive, client-centred and family-centred care. With over 40 years of service in Halton,  ROCK is dedicated to building strong people, strong families and strong communities. Appointments can be virtual or in person based on your preferences. The need for later appointments can be accommodated. ROCK services are completely free, and an OHIP card is not required for your session.

For more information, and to access all ROCK services, including the walk-in clinic, call the ROCK Access Line at 289-266-0036. This line is answered Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

ROCK Services include:

• Crisis Line

• Virtual Walk-in Clinics

• Clinical Services

• Halton Hills Youth Centres

• Webinars/Workshops

• Queer@ROCK

• Body Confidence

• Creative Expression

Rock may suggest or recommend a one-Link referral from a doctor to programs and services available throughout Halton Region. 

one-Link (Referral Process)

• One contact, one intake conversation, the right care… one-Link is a single point of access for referrals to all Addiction and Mental Health Service Providers funded by the Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network

• one-Link connect students/families to the following services, among others:

  • ADAPT (Halton Alcohol Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention and Treatment)

  • CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch)

  • Halton Healthcare Services (Outpatient Mental Health Services)

  • Hope Place Centres (Gender specific addictions treatment)

  • PAARC (Peel Addiction Assessment and Referral Centre)

  • STRIDE (Supported Training & Rehabilitation in Diverse Environments)

  • Summit Housing & Outreach Programs

  • Support & Housing - Halton

  • Trillium Health Partners - Ambulatory Mental Health Program

• Child and Youth Outpatient Services

  • The Child and Youth team provides multidisciplinary consultations, assessment and short-term treatment to meet the needs of children, youth and their family members. The team offers specialized programming for transitional aged youth, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety

• Navigator Service (one-Link referral)

  • Provides short term support and case management to children, youth and their families as they navigate through the mental health system and transition to longer term services. Services provided include connecting children, youth and their families to the most appropriate service provider, liaising with other parts of the health care system , accompanying clients to their appointments with psychiatrists and mental health workers, crisis intervention and outreach, in-school support to children and their teachers 

ADAPT: Halton Alcohol, Drug, and Gambling Assessment Prevention & Treatment Services

• Dedicated to empowering persons with alcohol, drug or gambling concerns, and their families, to manage these concerns and lead more fulfilling lives through the provision of comprehensive assessment and treatment services corresponding to need

AIDS Network

• The AIDS Network is a registered charitable organization, and offers services to the 1.5 million people living in the communities of Hamilton, Halton, Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant. Since 1986, The AIDS Network has been the primary voice for HIV/AIDS prevention, education and support. 

Elizabeth Fry Society

• Youth Program & Services are divided into four sections which include Prevention, Support, Reintegration and Advocacy. Under Prevention Elizabeth Fry provides programs such as Court Support Services for Youth and under Support you will find Attendance Centres (Peel & Halton) and Youth-NOW (Y-NOW) Halton. Under Reintegration the Marjorie Amos Residence can be found and Advocacy includes a program for International Sector Collaboration and CAROW. 

Halton Women's Place (crisis line available)

• An organization providing shelter and crisis services for physically, emotionally, financially and sexually abused women and their dependent children and is dedicated to ending violence against women and their children 

Hope Place Centres

• Gender specific treatment programs, wide range of services and dedicated professionals provide the right environment to help anyone struggling with addiction to alcohol or other drugs

• Services feature one-to-one counseling and transformative group work, with individualized treatment plans that focus on each individual’s unique needs and goals 

• Women's "Live-in" Treatment Centre - Milton; Men's "Live-in" Treatment Centre - Hornby; Community Centre - Oakville

John Howard Society of Peel-Halton-Dufferin

• The John Howard Society's mission is to prevent crime through research, community education, and the promotion of systemic change and restorative services to individuals 

• Multiple initiatives, including: Community Services Program, Anger Management and Emotional Regulation Program, Halton Youth Justice Committee, and the Halton Youth Attendance Centre

• Milton office location

Lighthouse for Grieving Children

• The Lighthouse provides a place where children, teens, and their parents and guardians who have experienced a life changing death loss can come together to be part of a community. Through participation in facilitated peer groups, they find understanding, stability and support

• Any child or teen, ages 3-19, who has experienced the death of an immediate family member or very close friend can join a group. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend the adult peer support groups which are offered at the same time as the children/teen groups. 

Links2Care

• An organization to support healthy living, prevent isolation and foster independence for people in our community. Links2Care supports the community through three pillars of care: Care At Home, Care In The Community, and Care for Children & Families

• Georgetown and Acton locations 

Nelson Youth Centres

•  An accredited children’s mental health centre for children and youth ages 6 to 18 in Halton. The centre provides services in Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills

• Programs target children and youth who are struggling with mental health and behavioral challenges and their families

• Nelson Youth Centres, using individual, family and group therapies, support the emotional, social and behavioral well being of children, youth and families while strengthening families in our community

Radius Child and Youth Services

• Radius Child & Youth Services is a specialized community-based organization that provides clinical assessment and counselling services to children, adolescents and families affected by interpersonal abuse 

SAVIS: Sexual Assault& Violence Intervention Services (crisis line available)

• Provides free and confidential one-on-one, online and telephone counselling from a feminist perspective 

• Counselling is available at our Oakville, Acton, Burlington, Georgetown and Milton locations 

Sexual Health Clinics (Georgetown walk-in clinic available)

• The Halton Region Health Department operates Sexual Health Clinics at five different locations in Halton Region. Learn about where to find sexual health clinics in Halton Region and the services they provide

Thrive Counselling Services Halton (formerly Halton Family Services & Access Counselling & Family Services) (Oakville & Burlington walk-in clinic available)

• Assists people struggling with individual and family issues including family conflict, separation, divorce, depression, abuse or violence and grief and loss. Thrive Counselling supports people to thrive in the face of challenge and change

Youth Services Halton Region

• Halton's youth services include programs designed to engage and encourage youth. Take advantage of the many youth services available in Halton.

COAST: Crisis Outreach and Support Team

• The Halton Regional Police Service Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) provides Halton Region residents aged 16 and over, who are experiencing a mental health crisis with immediate outreach and support

• Comprised of health care workers and HRPS officers trained in mental health and crisis intervention, and is funded by the Canadian Mental Health Association of Halton and by the Ontario Ministry of Health

ROCK: Crisis Line

• ROCK's Crisis Response Program provides immediate outreach for children and youth, their parents/caregivers, and community members. The Crisis Response telephone number will connect you to our 24-hour answering service. You will then be connected with a crisis counsellor as soon as possible. 

Self-care is an important part of wellness. Take time and discover what helps you to feel good and recharge. Take a look at these self-care tips from School Mental Health Ontario.

Anxiety Canada:

• Anxiety Canada is a developer of free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety.  We are the developers of the free MindShift™ CBT app for iOS and Android devices, which helps Canadians manage anxiety using scientifically proven strategies. They also serve Canadians by developing services and programs they can trust, including our online directory (Finding Help), and our online courses (My Anxiety Plans).

Child Mind Institute

• This guides collected here cover a broad range of topics, from the basics on children's mental health and learning disorders to advice for parents handling common challenges. And the Parents Guide to Getting Good Care offers step-by-step assistance to parents trying to get help for children, whatever the problem, from how to decide whether your child needs to see a professional to how to know if the treatment you’re getting is appropriate.

Sick Kids The Learning Hub

• This hub includes resources for parents on how to support your child's mental health and general wellbeing through physical activity, sleep and nutrition. It also provides information on the signs, symptoms and treatments of different mental health conditions, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, behavioural disorders, anorexia nervosa and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Teen Mental Health

• The materials TMH have created are provided in a variety of mediums that include animations, face-to-face training programs, web-based training programs, mobile applications, eBooks, easy to understand guides and books designed specifically for youth, parents, educators and health providers

• Psychiatrists - Medical doctors who can prescribe medication. Their services are covered by OHIP.  To go to a psychiatrist, you need a referral from a family doctor

• Psychologists - Cannot prescribe medication. Their services are not covered by OHIP.  But, private health insurance may cover all or some psychologist services. Psychologists are registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario

• Counsellors and therapists - Provide psychological counselling, but cannot prescribe medication. They often have a background in social work. You have to pay for these services. Counsellors and therapists may be members of a voluntary professional association, such as the Canadian Counselling Association

• Getting Help - What are Doctors, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Counsellors, and Social Workers?

• THE TORONTO STAR: How to get help for mental illness in Ontario