Family Support

Children First (ages 0 to 6)

provides services for families with children up to age 6 who are at risk for or experiencing mental health challenges or developmental concerns.

Children First uses a family-centred approach based on the principles of respecting every family's beliefs, values and culture. Their program respects the strengths and resourcefulness of all families and aims to support and encourage families in their efforts to meet the needs of children.

H么tel-Dieu Grace Healthcare - Regional Children's Centre

The child and youth mental health programs include:

• Crisis services and assessments (up to age 16 and helping those who are at significant immediate risk of harm to self or others)
• Counselling clinic (up to age 18)
• Outpatient counselling and therapy, helping with depression, anxiety, trauma reactions and more (ages 6 to 12)

Maryvale Children's Mental Health Treatment Centre (ages 13 to 17)

is a children's mental health treatment centre in Windsor, where adolescents experiencing very serious emotional, psychological and mental distress can receive therapy and assistance from a team of experts.

Maryvale helps young people and their families who feel highly anxious, depressed, suicidal, worthless or helpless, or who have lost their willingness to care about others. They may be dealing with debilitating learning disabilities.

Some students attend Maryvale during the day for school, while others come for after school programs. Others attend for counselling to sort out areas of distress.

Mental health information, referrals and supports

Contact any of these community organizations for mental health and well-being information, referral or support.

Mental health services and counselling

Crisis support

Contact any of these organizations for crisis support:

Telephone help lines

Contact any of these help lines for immediate support:

• (519-973-4435)
• (1-866-531-2600)
• (1-800-668-6868)

Alcohol and drug addiction

• (for women age 16 and over)

Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Trans/Questioning (LGBTQ) youth services

Eating disorders

Proper sleeping

Cannabis use

Gambling and gaming addiction

Experiencing homelessness

Sexual health, HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Domestic violence

Pregnancy help services

Parenting classes

Youth employment and income services

Where do I take my child or youth if they are a safety risk to themselves or others?

If your child or youth is at risk to self-harm or harm others, please go to the Emergency Room as instructed by the .

If your child or youth is in emotional distress and not currently a safety risk to themselves or others, please go to the or the .

Where do I find grief support for my child or youth?

You can find grief support services at the with the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Where can I find support groups for parents and guardians who are taking care of children or youth with mental health needs?

You can find support groups with the and .

How do I communicate my child or youth's mental health needs to their teachers?

Contact us through the contact listed on this page to start a conversation about your child or youth's mental health needs. You can also explore our special education programs and services, which strengthen individual student learning, growth and development.

Some tips include:

• Share any documentation with us that you feel comfortable sharing, such as psychological assessments, doctor's notes, etc.
• Let us know of any needs early in the school year or before the school year starts to discuss strategies, triggers and areas of motivation that we can use to support your student
• Keep the lines of communication open between your student's teacher and yourself
• If your child has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), check the Transition page for day-to-day and larger transitions, such as moving from year to year and from elementary school to secondary school

What tools or activities can families do with their children or youth to promote well-being?

Learn to practice mindfulness with your student. Mindfulness is the practice of detaching oneself from the noise of the outside world and one's own inner noise by connecting with the calm center that exists within each of us.

Studies have found that mindfulness practices can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, improve sleep and prepare us for learning. This can include practicing gratitude, calm breathing techniques, intention setting, mindful eating, etc.

You can practice some of these fun and powerful mindfulness activities at home:

How much sleep do teens need? How can I ensure my teen is getting the right amount?

Most teens need about eight to 10 hours of sleep per night. View WellCast's and more information on the importance of sleep from .

Why is there a Transition Plan completed before re-entry to school after a mental health-related hospital admission?

Transition Plans are needed as they support the student's needs while at school with daily check-ins, identified supportive adults within the building, supervision if required, safe spaces, communication between schools and communication with parents and treatment staff.

How do I talk to my teen about vaping?

The provides a handy tip sheet for talking to your teen about vaping.

Kids Help Phone

 allows you to chat with a trained, volunteer crisis responder for support any time, about anything. You can contact our 24-hour support line if you are any age up to 29.

To contact Kids Help Phone, you can:

• Phone: 1-800-668-6868
• Use the 鈥淎lways There鈥� app
• Text CONNECT to 686868

Community Crisis Centre

Call the  at 519-973-4435 for 24-hour crisis line support if you are over age 16.

Windsor-Essex Counselling Support Line

Call the  at 519-946-3277 or 1-877-451-1055 for mild to moderate distress situations. This support line is open 24-hours and is open to those who are 18 or older.

LGBT Youth Line

Contact the  for mental health support by:

• Text 647-694-4275
• Email LGBT Youth Line

Hours: 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Friday

At Youth Line, all volunteers are trained peer supporters ages 16 to 29 with a diversity in 2SLGBTQ + identities and lived experiences.

Hope for Wellness

Call  at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the .

The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is available 24 hours daily to offer counselling and crisis intervention.

Black Youth Helpline

Call  for mental health support by:

• Phone: 416-285-9944
• Toll Free: 1-833-294-8650
• Email Black Youth Helpline

Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Black Youth Helpline serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools.

Naseeha Mental Health Hotline

Contact  at 1-866-627-3342 for 24-hour support.

We answer calls seven days a week from around the world to support Muslim and non-Muslim youth. Naseeha Mental Health has been a great bridge for individuals who are going through life's challenges. Where hope is lost, Naseeha is found. We provide a safe zone for youths and individuals to talk and get the help they need.