Health care in Canada: Mental health and well-being support for newcomers
Video: Your mental health and well-being
Your mental health is important. Learn about some common symptoms of emotional struggles, activities that can contribute to positive mental health, and where you can get help as a newcomer.
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Video: Your mental health and well-being
Mental health refers to how we think, feel and behave. It’s an important part of our overall health.
You can get help if you or someone you know is experiencing
- stress
- anxiety
- depression
- mental illness
- family or gender-based violence
- addiction or substance use
- another mental health crisis
On this page
- Get help during a mental health crisis
- Contact Kids Help Phone
- Manage your mental health while settling in Canada
Get help during a mental health crisis
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical support, call 911.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 (in Quebec: 1-866-277-3553) or visit suicide.ca. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you think you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can
- contact a trusted professional, like a
- family doctor
- psychologist
- mental health nurse
- social worker
- counsellor
- spiritual leader
- call a local crisis line or support group
- find resources at your local service provider organization
Contact the Kids Help Phone
Newcomers aged 5 to 29 can access confidential services from professional counsellors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free; simply call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.
Access Kids Help Phone online chat support and resources for newcomer youth.
Manage your mental health while settling in Canada
Settling in a new country can be exciting and challenging. Canada has many resources and supports that can help you.
For free mental health and substance use support any time day or night, visit Wellness Together Canada. This service is available to anyone in Canada, including permanent residents and newcomers.
Get help from settlement service providers
Settlement service providers can offer support including
- providing information about your community
- connecting you with local people who can help with your transition
- providing non-clinical mental health and well-being support
- referring you to community health services
Find a settlement service provider organization near you.
Learn about family and gender-based violence
Everyone has the right to live free from violence. Many people throughout Canada face violence every day because of their
- gender
- gender expression
- gender identity
- perceived gender
Gender-based violence is a violation of human rights.
Family violence is any abuse adults or children experience in their families or homes.
All provinces and territories in Canada have crisis lines for those experiencing family or gender-based violence. If you’re a victim of spousal or partner abuse, find out how to get help.
Get support for addiction and substance use
Substance use happens when someone uses drugs or alcohol in a harmful way that has negative effects on their health and life.
Other mental health resources
There are many other resources in Canada to help you manage your mental health and well-being.
Learn about
- your mental health, how to improve it and the resulting benefits
- mental illnesses and how to manage them
- surviving being alone in Canada
Mental health organizations in Canada
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