Information and Resources
Learn more about addiction, substance use, mental health, and resources for youth.
Learn About Addiction
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
- Learn about what addiction means, signs and symptoms, causes and risk factors, diagnosis and treatment (e.g. screening, self help, harm reduction, counselling, medications, withdrawal management), and frequently asked questions.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario
- Get information about substance use and addiction, factors that impact addiction and substance use, harm reduction, and treatment options.
ConnexOntario
- ConnexOntario provides confidential information about health services in Ontario, including mental health and addiction treatment services. Call, text, use web chat, or email to get help from a navigation specialist who can direct you to services you might be interested in, including residential treatment facilities for youth.
Kids Help Phone
- Look at common questions about smoking, what to do if someone you know has a gambling problem, how to cope with a gambling problem, online gaming addiction, and more.
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
- Click the Substances and Addiction tab to learn more about alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, gambling, methamphetamine, opioids, prescription drugs, substance use in Canada, and treatment, support, and recovery options.
Learn About Substance Use
Think About It
- Learn about the effects of alcohol and other drugs, reasons people might use substances, information about binge drinking, and access to additional resources and information about substance use.
Breaking Free Group
- Breaking Free is a free, confidential substance use recovery support program accessible online for residents of Ontario with information about positive coping skills and how to overcome difficulties with alcohol or drugs. If you choose to access Breaking Free, you can use the access code cmhatv21.
YMCA Youth Cannabis Knowledge Hub
- Find out more about cannabis and legalization, cannabis products and reasons for use, facts about cannabis (e.g. cannabis use disorder, youth cannabis use in Canada, cannabis and driving, etc.), videos, training, and courses related to cannabis use, and additional external resources.
mindyourmind
- Get information about what substances and substance use mean, effects of using different substances, signs substance use is becoming problematic, signs of overdose, myths and facts about substance use, ways to get help and treatment options, and ways to stay safe when using substances.
Government of Ontario
- Find out more about what naloxone does, who can get a free naloxone kit, where to get a free naloxone kit, what is in a naloxone kit, how to recognize an opioid overdose, and how to use a naloxone kit.
Kids Help Phone
- Learn about what substance use is, ways to talk to a friend about their substance use, how to cope with a parent/caregiver’s substance use, how to take care of yourself when using substances, and more.
Learn About Mental Health
BounceBack Ontario
- BounceBack is a mood-lifting program with workbooks, activities, and videos to create your own self-help journey.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario
- Find information and services on a variety of topics, including finding and navigating addiction services for youth, anger, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, gender diversity, legal issues, loss and grief, psychosis, residential treatment, self-harm, suicide, and more.
mindyourmind
- Get tips, tools, and resources that will help you discuss your own or your friend’s mental health and identify and express your emotions.
Youth Mental Health Canada (YMHC)
- Learn about resources for mental health crisis. Also, click the Resources tab to learn more about peer supports and how to sign up for daily messages of support, access blog posts, and learn facts about youth mental health in Canada.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
- Get clear, reliable information about mental illness and addiction, including types of conditions and disorders and types of treatment.
Jack.org
- Find out more about specific mental illnesses and concerns (e.g. depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, self-injury and self-harm, suicide, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), common misconception, and when to seek help.
Resources in Huron and Perth Counties
Mental Health and Addictions
- The HPA OHT is a group of service providers and organizations from various health sectors working together to deliver a full and coordinated continuum of care to Huron Perth and Area community members, including services for those struggling with mental health and addictions.
- A centre for children and youth mental health services, including assessment and service planning, referral to other services, a weekly drop-in clinic, solution-focused sessions, connection to crisis response services if needed, counselling and therapy, treatment programming, and more.
Needle Exchange Program (Gear Works)
- As part of this program, Huron Perth Public Health provides new, sterile equipment to promote safer drug use and harm reduction. Find out locations in Perth and Huron Counties where you can drop in to pick up harm reduction supplies with no appointment needed.
- Tanner Steffler Foundation aims to enhance and improve mental health and addiction resources and support networks for youth between the ages of 12-24 within Huron County. They have a Youth Advisory Council, peer support program, and information about mental health services in Huron-Perth.
Resources in London and Middlesex County
- Craigwood Youth Services offers programs focused on addressing mental health needs of Ontario youth and their families, including counselling and talk-in (walk-in) clinics, day treatment and alternative school programs, residential programs, and supports for youth in the justice system.
- Humana Community Services supports children, youth, and adults by providing crisis support, personalized mental health services, and supports for community participation and transition to independent living.
Naloxone Program
- Learn about overdose, naloxone, and how to get training to administer naloxone if you are an individual at risk of opioid overdose or who may witness an opioid overdose.
Carepoint Consumption and Treatment Service
- Carepoint offers individuals a range of sterile harm reduction supplies, education on safer consumption practices, overdose prevention and intervention (i.e. use of oxygen and naloxone), and medical and counselling services.
- YOU helps youth aged 15-30 years old build skills, confidence, and independence to reach their potential. Services include youth centres (for support with food and basic needs, housing, and community referrals), youth shelter and housing services, career services, and opportunities for hands-on work experience.
ADHD and Autism Supports
- Autism Ontario London offers resources, programs, and social skills opportunities to individuals with autism and their families in a supportive and sensory friendly environment.
The Brake Shop
- The Brake Shop is a service that helps children and youth aged 6-18 years old with Tourette Syndrome or other tic disorders, OCD, ADHD, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Interdisciplinary Autism Services (IAS)
- Interdisciplinary Autism Services are available for children and youth up to age 18 with suspected or confirmed complex autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
ASD Leisure Nights
- This recreation and leisure program is for children and youth with Autism or who are on the Autism Spectrum. Email Community Living London for more information.
Autism and Behavioural Services
- Services are available for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families and caregivers who live in Ontario and are eligible for registration with the Ontario Autism Program.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Family Support Program
- The ASD Family Support Program provides community-based supports for children and youth ages 8-17 living in Oxford or Elgin County who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 1).
BIPOC Supports
- Healing in Colour offers a list of BIPOC therapists and allied professionals who are committed to supporting BIPOC, as well as resources like community organizations, articles, podcasts, and other resources for healing and liberation.
- MRCSSI is a social support agency that promotes family safety and well-being within London’s diverse Muslim communities and offers services grounded in a Culturally Integrative Model, including individual and family counselling and social support and family-centred programs.
Kids Help Phone
- Free, 24/7 wellness support from a professional counsellor via phone or live chat for African, Caribbean, and Black youth across Canada.
Indigenous Supports
- Atlohsa Family Healing Services provides Indigenous-led programming and services that offer holistic healing, education, shelter, and support, including support related to mental wellness, substance use, homelessness, domestic violence, and trauma.
- A referral-based mental wellness program co-delivered by Atlohsa Family Healing Services and St. Joseph’s Health Care London that offers culturally-safe, specialized care for Indigenous individuals experiencing mental health and addiction concerns, including Traditional Healing services and Western psychiatric treatment.
- Chippewa Health Centre offers education on a variety of health topics, counselling services for alcohol use, addiction, family violence, depression, grief and loss, and other issues or feelings that may be affecting you or someone you love, and a wide range of other health programs and services.
- A provincial organization that provides services to Indian Residential School Survivors, including counselling, workshops, crisis support, health supports, cultural supports, and much more.
- N’Amerind Friendship Centre offers culturally relevant programs that promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of Native Peoples, specifically urban Native Peoples.
- Nimkee NupiGawagan Healing Centre is a residential substance use centre for First Nation and Indigenous youth 12-17 years old that offers culturally based holistic treatment services.
- Friendship Centres are places for community members and Indigenous people living in urban spaces to gather, connect with one another, and receive culturally based services. Find Friendship Centres across Ontario and find youth-focused resources.
- ONWA focuses on empowering and supporting all Indigenous women and their families in Ontario. While services are not available in the London and Huron-Perth areas, you can find cultural and learning resources and the She Is Wise magazine to hear the voices of Indigenous women.
- SOAHAC provides high quality, wholistic health and wellness services by sharing and promoting traditional Indigenous and Western health practices. Service are provided to Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) people and their families living on and off-reserve in rural areas and the urban Indigenous communities in London, Windsor, and Owen Sound and surrounding First Nation communities.
LGBTQ2+ Supports
- A community initiative that provides barrier-free access to food and essential items to 2SLGBTQ+ folks in London. If you’re in need of food and basic items, sign up to receive a grocery kit.
- A social group for queer folks in London that aims to help build queer community in London by bringing people together for social events (e.g. dinners, board game nights, festivals in the park, movie nights, potlucks, and more).
- Gender Creative Kids supports trans, non-binary, and gender-fluid youth and their parents through education and advocacy. Access their resource library for evidence-informed resources on a variety of topics.
- Access confidential, non-judgemental, and informed LGBTTQQ2SI peer support through phone, text, and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4 pm – 9:30 pm.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
- Access information compiled by Rainbow Health Ontario and CMHA Ontario about factors that impact mental health, intersectionality, facts and statistics, and how to promote positive mental health and well-being.
- A social support group for LGBT2Q+ youth between 14 and 18 years old. The group is open to youth from Perth, Huron, Lambton, Elgin, Middlesex (including London), and Oxford. Participate in discussions related to coming out, queer identities, LGBT2Q+ histories, safer sex, and healthy relationships through guest speakers, arts-based activities, and conversation.
- PFLAG London supports, educates, and provides resources to LGBT2Q individuals and their families with questions about or struggling with issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
- Queer Events is an online portal listing 2SLGBTQ+ events and programs, learning resources, and opportunities in London and area, helping people stay connected to their queer community.
- Rainbow Health Ontario supports the healthcare system and healthcare providers to better serve LGBT2SQ communities. They also produce evidence-based print and web resources. Check out their resource library for relevant and reliable LGBT2SQ health resources.
- A monthly social group for people aged 14 years and younger who identify as LGBT2Q+ in London. Groups take place on the third Thursday of every month.
French Supports
- AFSL provides a central point for information, referral to, and navigation of health and social systems to the Francophone community in London and surrounding areas. Get information on services, guidance, or direct service related to mental health and addiction.
- Get access to mental health and/or addiction support services in French with the help of a System Navigator, including mental health and addiction screening, assessment, and treatment planning, an individualized plan of care, case management services, and connection to local healthcare and support services and professionals.
- Réseau-Femmes offers support services to Francophone women aged 16 and older, including crisis support for women who have experienced or are at risk of violence or abuse and services that support well-being and mental health.
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