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Eating disorders

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Find resources to help you better understand, cope with and/or support someone with an eating disorder or disordered eating.

Mental health emergencies

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, let an adult know who will stay with you. Consider getting support from the YSB Crisis Line by calling 613-260-2360.

If you require immediate emergency care call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. It's best to access emergency services within your province, as they will be able to connect you to resources and supports within your province that you are eligible for.

A visit to the emergency department is best for dealing with new, urgent mental health issues.

In Ontario or Quebec, call 911 or go to your local hospital emergency room. 

When to come and what to expect at an Emergency Department

CHEO's Emergency Department provides emergency mental health services for children and youth up to 17 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.

In general, children and youth should come to the Emergency Department for mental health-related concerns when:

  • Their feelings or behaviours put them or others at risk of serious harm
  • There is a serious change to your child or youth that is significantly impacting their day to day functioning

A visit to the emergency department is best for dealing with new, urgent mental health issues.

What the Emergency Department can offer:

  • A brief assessment of child's current mental health issue
  • Assessment of level of risk
  • Discussion of potential services that your child or family may benefit from
  • Safety planning to manage the immediate crisis

What the Emergency Department cannot offer:

  • Mental Health diagnoses
  • Medication prescriptions for mental health issues
  • Outpatient referrals for patients with a RAMQ Card

What to expect:

The ED is a very busy place and we do our best to see children and youth as quickly as possible. We always see children who need urgent care first no matter when they arrive. If there is a change to your child's condition while you are waiting, please let the nurse know.

Most children and youth are discharged from the Emergency Department with follow-up recommendations and a plan for care in the community.

Many mental health concerns don't require a trip to the emergency department. Here are other available supports:

  • You can get immediate assistance by calling YSB 24/7 Crisis Line: 613-260-2360 or 1-877-377-7775 (toll free).
  • Making a self-referral to 1Call1Click.ca will help connect you to outpatient mental health services.

Crisis lines and crisis chats

Canadians can call or text 9-8-8 to access bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention support. The service is free and can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

In Ontario

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

In Quebec

Tel-Aide Outaouais
  • Gatineau: 819-775-3223
  • Ottawa: 613-741-6433
  • Rural Outaouais: 1-800-567-9699 (toll free)

Online resources

CHEO care resource: Eating Disorders information for youth

Learn about some of the common causes and signs linked to eating disorders, and find ways to support yourself through your recovery journey.

Information for youth

Resources for parents, caregivers and others supporting a loved one

General information on eating disorders

  • Understanding Eating Disorders in adolescence - CANPED
  • Help for parents of children and teens suffering from anorexia and other eating disorders - Eva Musby
  • National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC)
  • Eating Disorders - CAMH
  • Helping your child manage mealtime stress - Hamilton Health Sciences
  • 10 tips to manage meltdowns - Hamilton Health Sciences
  • FEAST: Support and resources for families affected by eating disorders
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Eating Disorders in young people - CBT-E
  • Supporting your teen with anorexia - Canadian Eating Disorders Collaborative

Eating disorder prevention

  • Prevention - Kelty Eating Disorders

Meal support

  • Meal support - Kelty Eating Disorders

General information on mental health

  • Mental health resources - CHEO
  • Helping children and youth with thoughts of suicide - CHEO

Parent and caregiver support

  • Parent's Lifeline of Eastern Ontario
  • Hopewell - Friends & Family Support Group

Resources for children and youth

General information on eating disorders

  • National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC)
  • Eating Disorders - CAMH

General information on mental health

  • Mental health resources - CHEO
  • Helping children and youth with thoughts of suicide - CHEO
  • YouthNet

Child and youth support

  • Hopewell

Local counselling and support

Eating disorder counselling and support

Ottawa and Ontario

  • Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre of Ottawa - (offers youth groups, parent support groups, list of resources ie. Registered dietician, therapists)
  • Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA)

Gatineau and Quebec

  • ANEB: Help and support for people with eating disorders and their loved ones
  • Eating Disorders: Douglas mental Health University Institute

General mental health counselling and support (may include eating disorder support)

The following organizations offer general mental health counselling and support. In some cases, they may also be able to offering eating disorder counselling and support - we encourage you to check each organization's website to see what services are currently offered.

Ottawa

  • Youth Services Bureau: has many Ottawa-area locations offering a variety of youth services including walk-in counselling and crisis line support.
  • Le CAP: located in Ottawa, offers French-only mental health and addictions support for youth and families.
  • Jewish Family Services Ottawa: located in Ottawa, offers counselling and support for youth and families.
  • CFS Ottawa: located in Ottawa, offers counselling and support for youth and families.
  • Kind Space: located in Ottawa, celebrates, supports and prioritizes oppressed sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Ontario (rural areas outside Ottawa)

  • Phoenix Centre: located in Renfrew County, offers mental health treatment for children, youth and families.
  • Youth Wellness Hubs: located in Prescott-Russell, Hawkesbury, Rockland, Embrun.
  • Cornwall Community Hospital: located in Cornwall, offers assessment, consultation, individual and group therapy, support and counselling for children, youth and parents.
  • Children's Mental Health of Leeds and Grenville: Located in Leeds and Grenville, offers counselling for youth and parents.
  • Crossroads Children's Mental Health Centre: offers counselling for children under 12 with complex social, behavioural and emotional challenges.
  • Open Doors for Lanark Children & Youth: Located in Lanark County, offers person-centered mental health care for children and youth.

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