Indigenous Crisis Support Lines: Where to Find Help
In the wake of the discoveries of unmarked mass graves at former residential schools and the pervasive levels of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual) across the country, Canadian Equality Consulting (CEC) would like to acknowledge the resurgence of intergenerational trauma and grief that is being (re)experienced by Indigenous and First Nations communities and People nationally and internationally.
We understand that an integral component towards decolonization, reconciliation with and justice for First Nations and Indigenous People, is the acknowledgment that mental health and wellness continue to remain a site of resistance for First Nations and Indigenous People. It is with this recognition that we wish to share, while not exhaustive, the following list of mental health hotlines and resources centered on supporting First Nations and Indigenous People in crisis, provincially.
In the interactive map below, you will be able to hover on each province, where hotline phone numbers will appear. All details on the lines and more resources, divided by provinces are listed below the map.
Alberta
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society (Edmonton) – Programs and services range from youth employment/social and comprehensive family services to supported referrals and soup and bannock lunches.
1-780-481-3451
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Native Counselling Services of Alberta – Native Counselling Services of Alberta’s mission is to promote the resilience of the Indigenous individual and family, through programs and services that are grounded in reclaiming our interconnectedness, reconciliation of relationships, and self-determination.
Open Alberta Guide to Indigenous Services – Comprehensive list of all services in Alberta. Includes specific contacts for each nation, educational, business, and community services.
British Columbia
KUU-US Crisis Line Society – Provides a First Nations and Indigenous-specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free from anywhere in British Columbia. The KUU-US Crisis Line Society also provides a number of local services in the Port Alberni area including the Survivor of Suicide Peer Support Group, Housing Registry, and the A.H.O.P.E Program.
1-800-588-8717 (toll-free)
Youth Line: 250-723-2040
Adult Line: 250-723-4050
Native Youth Crisis Hotline – Answered by staff 24/7. Available throughout Canada and US.
1-877-209-1266
Métis Crisis Line – A service of Métis Nation British Columbia.
1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722)
Greater Vancouver Native Cultural Society Two Spirit Group – A Two-Spirit support group on Facebook supported by the Vancouver Native Cultural Society.
Manitoba
Natawiwewak Medical Clinic – Serves Winnipeg residents from Bunibonibee, Chemawawin, God’s Lake, and Manto Sipi. Connect with the Mental Wellness Team.
204-417-8877
Keewatin Tribal Council – serves Barren Lands, Bunibonibee, Fox Lake, God’s Lake, Manto Sipi, Northlands, Sayisi Dene, Shamattawa, Tataskweyak, War Lake, and York Factory.
Crisis On-Call: 204-307-1905 or 204-307-0118
KTC Mental Wellness Team: 204-677-7410
Opaskwayak Health Authority (OHA) – The Mental Wellness Team consists of five counselors, including OHA counselors who are available via telephone to provide follow-up care with clients, and Opioid Replacement Therapy physician clinics who are available via Telehealth on the regularly scheduled dates.
204-627-7410
Crisis Line after hours: 204-623-0519
Additional Indigenous-Centered Healing Supports
New Brunswick
Pabineau First Nation – Mi’kmaq – mental health clinicians are available 3 days a week.
506-547-4204
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Ugpi’Ganjig – Eel River Bar First Nation
506-684-5002
Madawaska Maliseet First Nation
506-739-9765
Under One Sky Friendship Centre
506-458-9269
Newfoundland and Labrador
Shanawdithit, St. John’s Native Friendship Centre
709-726-5902
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (Social Health Department) – The Social Health Department is essentially responsible for the Mental Health and Addictions programming and service delivery, this includes referrals and counseling.
709-497-8522
[email protected]
Nova Scotia
Eskasoni Mental Health Services/Crisis and Referral Center Main Office – Eskasoni Mental Health Services (EMHS) provides a wide range of services to the Mi’kmaq people of Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The Tui’kn Residential School Survivor Team provides services to all 5 Unama’ki (Cape Breton) communities.
Crisis: 1-855-379-2099 (Toll-Free)
Main Phone: 902-379-2099
Native Council of Nova Scotia (Native Social Counselling Agency) – Assists off-reserve Indigenous clients facing social problems and conditions, with confidential support referral services.
1-902-895-1738
Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq (Mental Wellness Team) – Provides case management and service navigation for First Nations persons of all ages seeking mental wellness services.
902-539-4107
Alsusuti Aboriginal Crisis & Counselling Services – (M-F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm) Offers mental health support and counseling services to aboriginals by aboriginals.
(844) 694-1382
Ontario
Talk4Healing – A culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Ontario.
1-855-554-HEAL
Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health – Crisis support available by appointment or walk-in for crisis support, 5 days per week.
613-748-0657
Métis Nation of Ontario’s (MNO) Healing and Wellness branch – Facilitates and coordinates programs, services, and activities to address the holistic needs of Métis people in Ontario at the provincial, regional, and local levels. To us holistic Indigenous health encompasses the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and cultural aspects of one’s life.
24-hour Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) Crisis Line, available in English and French). Once connected services can be delivered in person, over the phone, or by video conference.
1-877-767-7572
Non-urgent:
Children and Youth (ages 0 – 17): 613-217-3143
Adults (ages 18+): 705-929-4753
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-263-4889
Enaahtig Healing Lodge and Learning Centre
705-534-3724
Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services
807-271-0194
Native Child and Family Services Toronto
416-969-8510
List of mental health services for Indigenous individuals and families.
Prince Edward Island
Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI –The Health program manages a wide range of programs and services designed to support the health and wellbeing of Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nation members living on-reserve, including Health Policy; Jordan’s Principle program; Indian Residential School program; and Health Promotion.
Director of Health, Roseanne Sark at rsark@mcpei.ca or 902-438-2117
Quebec
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Health Center
819-449-5593/4
Native Friendship Center of Montreal – The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal Inc. (NFCM) is collaborating with Indigenous Services Canada to continue providing emotional and cultural support services to former Indian Residential School (IRS) students and their families before, during, and after participation in Settlement Agreement (SA) processes, including Common Experience Payments (CEP) and the Independent Assessment Process (IAP), as well as those who participated in Truth and Reconciliation Commission events and Commemoration activities.
Emotional Support workers or Cultural Support Provider (traditional healer) – (514) 499-1854
Saskatchewan
Native Health Services (Native Health Centres at the Pasqua and Regina General Hospitals) – Responds to clients with an awareness of cultural and spiritual diversity, and is able to provide an alternative for clients seeking traditional First Nations and Métis approaches to health care.
Regina General Hospital: 306-766-4155
Pasqua Hospital: 306-766-2232
Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre (SIMFC) –Supports First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultural distinctiveness by providing community development services that holistically support all ages.
306-244-0174
The Circle Project – Lifestyles and Counselling Program
306-347-7515
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Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI) – Grief and loss counseling.
306-975-9999
Yukon
The Shadhäla Äshèyi yè Kwädän (Champagne and Aishihik First Nations or CAFN), DÄN TSʼÄN NÄNNJI (Community Wellness Department) – A self-governing First Nation located in the Yukon Territory and northwest British Columbia, Canada. CAFN provides weekend on-call support from 5:00 pm on Friday – 8:30 pm on Monday.
Emergency Line: 867-333-4477
Not Specific to Provincial Location
Indian Residential School Crisis Line – A national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience.
1-866-925-4419 (Toll-free)
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line – The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counseling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Service is available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, English and French. Callers may ask about the availability of services in the language of their choice. (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
1-855-242-3310
Healing in Color – A directory of therapy and support services to support the healing and liberation for BIPOC.
Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS)
1-800-721-0066 (toll-free)