Mental health emergencies
If you or someone you know requires emergency help, contact your local emergency services.
In Ontario, call 911 or go to your local hospital emergency room.
YSB's 24/7 Crisis Line & Crisis Chat
The 24/7 Crisis Line & Chat services are for children and youth ages 18 and under who are experiencing a crisis, and for parents, guardians, caregivers, friends or service providers who are concerned about a young person in crisis.
For residents of Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
Crisis Line
Phone: 613-260-2360 or 1-877-377-7775 (toll free for Eastern Ontario)
Hours: 24/7
Crisis Chat
Website: chat.ysb.ca
Hours: 24/7
CHEO Emergency department
CHEO's Emergency Department provides emergency psychiatric services for children and youth aged 0 to 18 years old. For mental health emergencies, please call 911 or visit 401 Smyth Road.
There are also Emergency departments at the Ottawa Hospital, Montfort Hospital and Queensway-Carleton Hospital.
Tel-Aide Outaouais
Gatineau: 819-775-3223
Ottawa: 613-741-6433
Rural Outaouais: 1-800-567-9699 (toll free)
For Champlain hospitals: Psychiatric Emergency Assessment
Hospitals in the Champlain region can refer a patient for a virtual Psychiatric Emergency Assessment with CHEO.
Local counselling & support options
Quick access to phone, video or walk-in counselling
The Walk-In Counselling Clinic
613-755-2277
For 16 years and olderShort, medium or long-term counselling and supports
Youth Services Bureau (YSB)
Mental Health Services
613-562-3004Somerset West Community Health Centre
(343) 571-0097
For African, Caribbean and Black communitiesHope for Wellness Helpline
1-855-242-3310
For Indigenous peopleCrossroads Children’s Mental Health
For children under the age of 12
613-723-1623
info@crossroadschildren.caFamily Services Ottawa
(613) 725-3601 ext. O
For 2SLGBTQ+ community membersFor 2SLGBTQ+ community members
(613) 789-2240
Counselling for addictions and eating disorders
Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services
(613) 724-4881
Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre
(613) 594-8333
Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre
(613) 241-3428
Le Cap
(613) 789-2240Supports for parents and caregivers
Parent’s Lifeline of Eastern Ontario
(613) 321-3211 or 1-855- 775-7005
Training to help prevent suicide
Canadian Mental Health Association- Ottawa
(613) 737-7791 ext 217Community and Social Services
Can be reached by dialling 211 View a PDF copy of the Kids Come First Know What To Do guide
Make a referral
Find mental health resources
Visit our online resource section to learn about child and youth mental health and access CHEO recommended websites, books, apps, videos and more!
Request a mental health presentation
CHEO's Mental Health team has some capacity to offer community presentations on a variety of mental health topics. If you would like to request a presentation, please complete and submit our form at least two weeks prior to the requested presentation date.
Our plan
In collaboration with The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, we have developed a strategy to guide our services and help us adapt to the rapidly changing environment of child and youth mental health. The Young Minds Partnership strategy was developed by surveying over 800 staff, physicians, researchers, community groups, children, youth, and families. This plan will improve our services by working closely with community partners, reducing wait times, improving transitions from youth to adult services, and more. This plan is designed to improve the lives of those with mental illness by keeping patients and their families at the center of all we do.
View the Young Minds Partnership Report Card 2018-2019