Taking care of your mental health is an important part of taking care of your overall health. 

Moving to a new country or community can involve significant change. You may be adjusting to a new language, workplace, school system, culture, climate or way of life while also being separated from family, friends and familiar routines. 

At different points, you or someone in your family may need additional support.Help is available for mental health, emotional wellbeing, substance use and addiction in Lanark and Renfrew Counties and across Ontario. 

On This Page

Mental Health & Wellbeing 
Understanding when you or someone you know may need support. 

Finding Mental Health Support 
Where to find counselling and mental health services. 

Understanding Substance Use in Canada 
Information about substance use, cannabis and Canadian laws. 

Substance Use & Addiction Support 
Where to find treatment, harm reduction and other services. 

Children, Youth & Families 
Mental health resources for younger people and families. 

Getting Help in a Crisis

Mental Health & Wellbeing 

Mental health is part of everyone’s health. 

People seek mental health support for many reasons. You do not need to wait until you are experiencing a crisis to talk to someone. 

You may want additional support if you are experiencing: 

• Stress or feeling overwhelmed 

• Anxiety 

• Depression or persistent sadness 

• Loneliness or isolation 

• Grief or loss 

• Difficulty sleeping 

• Major changes in mood 

• Difficulty adjusting to life in Canada 

• Family or relationship challenges 

• Trauma 

• Concerns about alcohol or substance use 

• Changes in your ability to manage everyday activities 

You can also seek help because you simply want someone to talk to. 

Start With Your Healthcare Provider 

If you have a family doctor, nurse practitioner or another primary healthcare provider, you can talk to them about your mental health. 

They may be able to provide support directly or connect you with counselling, psychiatry, community programs or other services. 

Healthcare in Ontario 

If you do not have a regular healthcare provider, there are community and walk-in services available. 

Finding Mental Health Support 

Different types of support are available depending on your needs. 

These may include: 

• Individual counselling 

• Family counselling 

• Group programs 

• Peer support 

• Crisis services 

• Community mental health programs 

• Youth mental health services 

• Addiction treatment 

• Harm reduction services 

• Online and virtual mental health programs 

Some services are free, while others may be covered through OHIP, workplace benefits, private insurance or community programs. 

Always check whether there is a cost before accessing a service.

Renfrew County Mental Health Resources 

Renfrew County and District Health Unit List of Mental Health and Addiction Services for residents 

This document provides clickable links to the various organizations offering mental health supports in Renfrew County.

The Walk-In Counselling Clinic (locations available in Renfrew and Lanark counties)

No referral is required for the Walk-In Counselling Clinic. You will be assisted, with no appointment, on a first-come, first-serve basis during Walk-In Counselling Clinic hours. The Walk-In Counselling Clinic is open to Ontario residents within the greater Champlain region. 

The Walk-In Counselling Clinic offers counselling services in English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Somali, Cantonese, and Mandarin at a variety of different locations. Clinic hours are available at different locations throughout the week, including evenings and weekends. 

The Renfrew County and District Health Unit has a wealth of resources, including those listed above. See their website for even more information.

The Robbie Dean Counselling Centre offers a variety of counselling services, workshops, and support groups for individuals or families who are experiencing poor mental health.

Lanark County Mental Health Resources

Lanark County Mental Health Pandemic Helpline

• 1-833-283-9979 

ConnectWell Community Health

• locations in Renfrew county as well

Open Doors for Lanark Children & Youth

Lanark County Interval House and Community Support

Lanark Leeds and Grenville Crisis Line

• 1-866-281-2911

Ontario and National Mental Health Resources

9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline offers:

• Bilingual support (English and French)

• Trauma-informed

• Culturally appropriate

• Available to anyone in Canada.

CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association)

Mental Health Crisis Line

• 1-866-996-0991 (Outside Ottawa)

• 613-722-6914 (Within Ottawa) 

Child, Youth, and Family Crisis Line for Eastern Ontario (Ages 18 and under)

• 1-877-377-7775

ConnexOntario

• Addiction, Mental Health, and Problem Gambling Treatment Services 

• 1-866-531-2600

BounceBackOntario

• Offers a free skill-building program managed by CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) 

Canada Suicide Prevention Service

• 1-833-456-4566

Distress and Crisis Ontario

Good2Talk Helpline for postsecondary students

• 1-866-925-5454

• Or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868 

Children’s Mental Health Ontario Centres 

Hope for Wellness Help Line for all Indigenous peoples across Canada

• 1-855-242-3310 

National Indian Residential School Crisis Line

• 1-866-925-4419 

LGBTQ Youthline Ontario

• 647-694-4275

Senior Safety Line: Provided by Elder Abuse Ontario

• 1-833-416-2273 

Employee Assistance Plans 

Many employers offer EAPs or Employee Assistance Plans to support their employees on their mental health journey. Ask your human resources manager if your employer offers this type of program. They are completely confidential, do not affect your job performance, and come at little to no cost.

Understanding Substance Use in Canada 

Laws and attitudes surrounding substances may be different in Canada than in the country you previously lived in.

Seeing cannabis stores or people openly using cannabis, for example, can be unfamiliar or confusing if you have come from a country with very different laws or cultural attitudes. 

Cannabis Is Legal in Canada 

Canada legalized recreational cannabis for adults in 2018. 

Legalization means cannabis can be legally produced, sold, purchased and used within Canada’s regulatory system, provided people follow federal, provincial and local laws. 

Legal does not mean unrestricted. 

There are rules governing: 

• Who can purchase cannabis 

• Where cannabis can be purchased 

• How much someone can possess 

• Where cannabis can be used 

• Driving while impaired 

• Taking cannabis across Canada’s international borders 

• Growing cannabis at home 

Cannabis Laws in Canada 

Cannabis Laws in Ontario 

Because laws can change, use official Government of Canada and Government of Ontario resources for current information. 

Legalization and Decriminalization Are Different 

You may hear the words legalization and decriminalization when people discuss drugs in Canada. 

They do not mean the same thing.

Legalization means the law permits something within an established system of rules and regulations. 

Decriminalization generally refers to removing or reducing criminal penalties for certain activities while the substance itself may remain controlled or illegal. 

Cannabis has been legalized in Canada. 

That does not mean all drugs are legal. 

For current information about Canadian drug laws, use official Government of Canada resources rather than relying on information shared through social media or word of mouth. 

Government of Canada – Controlled and Illegal Drugs 

Understanding Substance Use & Addiction 

People use substances for many different reasons. 

Substance use can be connected to: 

• Social or recreational experiences 

• Medical treatment 

• Pain 

• Stress 

• Trauma 

• Mental health 

• Dependence or addiction 

• Cultural and social environments 

• Other personal circumstances 

Not everyone who uses a substance has an addiction. 

When substance use begins negatively affecting someone’s health, relationships, work, finances or everyday life, additional support may be helpful. 

Substance use and addiction are health issues, and people deserve to be treated with dignity when seeking help. 

Reducing Stigma 

Fear of judgement can prevent people from seeking support. 

Stigma can be particularly difficult when cultural, religious or family beliefs around mental health, alcohol or drug use make it uncomfortable to talk openly about what someone is experiencing.

Try to avoid labels or assumptions about people who use substances or experience addiction.

Instead, focus on the person and what they may need. 

Someone can experience substance-use challenges and still be a parent, employee, student, neighbour, friend or active member of their community. 

Support should be centred on health, safety and dignity. 

Substance Use & Addiction Support 

You can seek support for your own substance use or because you are concerned about someone you care about. 

Services may include: 

• Addiction counselling 

• Assessment 

• Withdrawal management 

• Treatment programs 

• Harm reduction 

• Peer support 

• Family support 

• Mental health treatment 

• Community-based services 

Ontario-Wide Support 

ConnexOntario 

ConnexOntario provides information about mental health, substance use and gambling treatment services available across Ontario. 

Harm Reduction 

Harm reduction focuses on reducing the potential health and social harms associated with substance use. 

Someone does not necessarily need to stop using substances before accessing harm reduction services. 

Depending on the community, services may include: 

• Information about safer substance use 

• Naloxone 

• Overdose prevention education 

• Connections to healthcare 

• Addiction treatment referrals 

• Mental health support 

• Other community health services 

Resources and Supports

Lanark County

E-mental health support services, Lanark County

Lanark County Mental Health

Lanark County Programs and Supports

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

Renfrew County

Renfrew County Community Resources

Renfrew County Addiction Treatment System

Mental Health and Addiction Resources

Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres (CATC)

Irving House Addiction Treatment Centre

Renfrew Victoria Hospital

Treatment Centres in Pembroke

Renfrew County Community Resources

Renfrew County Addiction Treatment System

Children, Youth & Families 

Children and young people can experience mental health challenges too. 

Major transitions, including immigration, changing schools, separation from family and friends, learning a new language and adjusting to a new culture can create additional stress. 

Support is available for children, youth and families. 

Parents and caregivers can also ask a family doctor, nurse practitioner, school or community organization about available supports. 

Pregnancy & Postpartum Mental Health 

Pregnancy and the period after having a baby can involve significant emotional and physical changes. 

Some parents experience depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges during pregnancy or after giving birth. 

If you are struggling, speak with your doctor, nurse practitioner, midwife or another healthcare professional. 

Asking for support is part of taking care of yourself and your family. 

 Pregnancy & Postpartum Mental Health Resources 

Workplace Mental Health Support 

Your workplace may provide confidential mental health services through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or workplace benefits. 

Depending on your employer, this could include: 

• Counselling 

• Mental health resources 

• Family support 

• Substance-use support 

• Financial counselling 

• Other wellness services 

Ask your employer or Human Resources department whether an EAP or similar benefit is available and how confidentiality works. 

Getting Help in a Crisis 

If you or someone you know needs immediate mental health support, crisis services are available. 

Suicide Crisis Support 

Call or text 988 

Canada’s 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline provides support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Immediate Emergency 

If there is an immediate danger or medical emergency: 

Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. 

Find the Right Support 

You don’t need to know exactly what kind of service you need before asking for help. 

Start with the resource that feels most appropriate and ask to be connected to additional support if needed.