We encourage you to review these resources and use what you personally find helpful.
Disclaimer: The resources listed below are not meant to replace a consultation with a trained mental health professional, nor do these services provide online counselling. These sites and resources do not imply ACT or its staff endorses all of the information. ACT plans to keep these links up to date, however, if you find a link that is no longer active, please let us know.
CRISIS RESOURCES
ACT does not offer crisis support. If you are having suicidal thoughts, please contact:
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or Text 9-8-8: anytime for support in French or English
- Gerstein Crisis Centre: 416-929-5200
- Toronto/GTA Distress Centre: 416-408-4357
- Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366 (available Monday-Friday from 1PM-9PM EST)
- hopeforwellness.ca: 24/7 Indigenous support services across Canada / Call 1-855-242-3310
- 911 if you would like Police, a Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT)*, and/or ambulance. *MCIT consists of a police officer and a mental health nurse
You can also visit the following sites in-person for crisis / emergency support:
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Emergency Department
- Located @ 1051 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1H3
- Call 416-979-6885 for information
- St. Michael’s Hospital – Mental Health Emergency Services Area (MHESA)
- Located @ 30 Bond St. (Emergency Department), Toronto, ON M5B 1X1
- Call 416-864-5346 for information
- Toronto Western Hospital – Psychiatric Emergency Unit
- Located @ 399 Bathurst Street (between Dundas & College) Fell Pavilion 1st floor
- Call 416-603-5751 for information
- Your Nearest Emergency Department
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
- What Is Mental Health: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-mental-health-2330755
- What is Psychotherapy: https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/what-is-psychotherapy
- Types of therapy: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/types-of-therapy
- For information on various mental health topics and to find support groups and resources for mood and anxiety, schizophrenia, addictions, and support for family and friends of those living with mental health diagnoses: Mental Illness & Addiction Index | CAMH
- The City of Toronto list of organizations offering mental health support: Mental Health Resources – City of Toronto
- Central Intake (re: 211) has a list of community and government services in the Greater Toronto area: 211 Central
- Steps to take to help you if you are in distress: mind your mind
- Online videos and workbooks to manage depression and anxiety: BounceBack
- Free 24/7 information to discover mental health, addiction and problem gambling services in Ontario: ConnexOntario
- HQ Resources for GBQNMSM folks: https://hqtoronto.ca/mh-resources/
- Therapist aid: https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-articles
- Quizzes, research, blogs, and interesting articles on mental health and mental illness: Psych Central
- DBT tools: https://dbt.tools/index.php
- Self-help home toolkit, information, quick tips, and videos: Anxiety Canada
- Doing What Matters in Times of Stress: An Illustrated Guide is a stress management guide for coping with adversity: Doing What Matters in Times of Stress (who.int)
- The World Health Organization’s QualityRights Person-centred recovery planning for mental health and well-being self-help tool guides people through the process of setting up a recovery plan for themselves (starting on p. 25): WHO QualityRights self-help tool
- STOP on the NET (from CAMH): Helping individuals quit smoking cigarettes without needing to visit a clinic. STOP on the Net is easy to access, fully virtual and based on scientific evidence. Individuals can enroll online any time and receive free quit smoking medication for 10 weeks mailed to them within 2 weeks of enrollment: Quit Smoking with STOP on the Net | Intrepid Lab
- If you’re looking for a queer/trans private therapists, the most updated Toronto-based listing can be found here: https://www.affectiveconsult.ca/torontos-queer-and-trans-community-therapists
MOTIVATIONAL VIDEOS
- Brene Brown – The Power of Vulnerability – discusses how to live a meaningful and engaged life
- Brene Brown – Listening To Shame (part 2 of above) – talks about shame’s impact on how we live life and how to overcome this
- Brene Brown – The Price of Invulnerability (part 3 of above) – summing up and elaborating on the concepts of shame, empathy, courage, compassion, and how to live a full and meaningful life
- Andrew Solomon – How the Worst Moments in Our Lives Make Us Who We Are
- Amy Cuddy – Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are
- Kelly McGonigal – How to Make Stress Your Friend – TED talk
- Guy Winch – Emotional Hygiene – TEDx Talk
- 8 Ways to Build Resilience: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKXIJwl-bq-7-E9ZnwQBwXkVfPo1fe_Qw
- Body Movement videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/SFURecreation
- Diverse mental health videos: https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-videos
INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES
- Online modules and workbooks:
- CCI (Centre for Clinical Interventions): Coping with depression
- Panic, anxiety, and panic attacks
- Health anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Generalized anxiety and worrying
- Assertiveness
- CCI (Centre for Clinical Interventions) Looking After Yourself
- Procrastination
- Perfectionism
- Building Body Acceptance
- Appearance Concerns
- Building Self-esteem
- Overcoming disordered eating part 1, and part 2
- moodgym – Interactive skills training for depression and anxiety
SMARTPHONE APPS
- Be Safe by Mind your Mind – create a safety plan for yourself that you can access quickly in times of need.
- Headspace – Learn mindfulness and meditation skills and use guided meditations to help you manage stress and anxiety to help improve sleep, focus, and mind-body health.
- Calm – Meditation practices and sleep stories written and recorded by various individuals to help with sleep, meditation, and relaxation.
- Happify – Science-based games and activities that aim to help you overcome stress, negative thoughts, and life’s general challenges.
- I am Daily Affirmations – Daily and positive affirmations to help strength yourself.
- Insight Timer – Free guided meditations, music tracks, and ambient sounds to help calm the mind, relax, focus, and sleep better.
- Mindshift CBT Anxiety Relief – Strategies based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy that aims to provide free Anxiety relief by helping you learn how to practice mindfulness, relax, and develop effective ways of thinking.
- Moodmission – Provides a tailored list of 5 Missions (mental health strategies including mindfulness meditations, exercise and fitness activities, affirmations, yoga, and more) based on how you are feeling at a specific time to help boost your mood.
- Stoic Journal & Mental Health – journaling to improve your mental health.