The process of recovery can be very exhausting, confusing and even more difficult; especially when you have no idea where to turn or what to do to get started. Today we have compiled a list of many different resources that can help you find the healing and information that you need. If you know of any others be sure to mention them in the comments so that others can benefit from them as well.
American Psychiatric Association – Healthy Minds
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada (ADAC)
This website provides information on anxiety disorders, links to provincial societies and other useful organizations and pharmaceutical companies.
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP)
Telephone: (204) 784 4073
The Canadian Health Network is a network of expert organizations who provide information on health promotion and disease and inury prevention.
Canadian Mental Health Association
The Centre for Suicide Prevention is a non-profit organization serving thousands of people in Alberta, across Canada and around the world. The Centre has a special library on suicide and suicidal behaviour, provides training workshops for Albertans including Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and other workshops across Canada, and supports research on suicide and suicidal behaviour. Contact the Centre for Suicide Prevention for a full description of workshops and other services offered.
Centre for Addictions and Mental Health
The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) is a leading addiction and mental health teaching hospital in Toronto. Under “About Addiction and Mental Health” it has resources on mood disorders and on concurrent disorders of mental health and substance abuse.
A web resource that provides information and support to people fighting substance abuse and addiction. Check out these pages:
https://www.drugrehab.com/co-occurring-disorder/
https://www.advancedrecoverysystems.com/treatment-overview/co-occurring-disorders/
Mental Health Services, Help and Support in your community
The International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression (iFred)
A pioneering and world-leading child and youth counselling service, Kids Help Phone changes and saves lives daily. Canada’s go-to mental health counselling resource for youth aged 5 to 20. Available via internet and phone 24/7 when guidance offices are closed, when family is not around and when social service agencies don’t operate. One-on-one all professional, confidential and anonymous counselling. Providing information and referrals into local communities right across Canada.100% free of charge – operating in English or in French.
LivingWorks Education provides training courses around the world that teach people how to intervene when someone is suicidal. This organization provides ASIST training outside of Alberta, and also provides a variety of other workshops on suicide and suicidal behavious to people across Canada and beyond. Visit the LivingWorks Education website for a full description of workshops and other services offered.
Mental Health First Aid Canada
Mental Health First Aid Australia
Mental Health (Government Site)
Mental Health Works is a nationally available program of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) that builds capacity within Canadian workplaces to effectively address the many issues related to mental health in the workplace.
Mental Health Commission of Canada
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a non-profit organization created to focus national attention on mental health issues and to work to improve the health and social outcomes of people living with mental illness.
Mental Health resources for CAF members and families
Medline Plus – Child Mental Health
A Hub for many different resources to learn, measure, get help, or take action!
Mindyourmind.ca is an award-winning, innovative Internet resource for youth who are looking for relevant information on mental health and creative stress management.
Mood Disorders Society of Canada
The Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) is a national, not-for-profit, volunteer-driven organization that is committed to improving quality of life for people affected by depression, bipolar disorder and other related disorders.
National Institute of Mental Health
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Organization for Bipolar Affective Disorder
Mental health problems represent a great burden in our society. Qualaxia wants to remedy the situation by supporting effective actions such as the promotion of mental health and the prevention and treatment of the most common mental disorders. Qualaxia works to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that aim to improve public mental health. Qualaxia is a network of researchers, experts, decision-makers, managers and clinicians who are committed to succeeding in this mission by means of research, expertise, training, knowledge transfer and international collaboration.
Schizophrenia Society of Canada
The Schizophrenia Society of Canada is committed to improving the lives of those affected by schizophrenia along with their families. The site provides both information and advocacy opportunities.
Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid
Telephone: +44 (0)20 8394 8300
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Locator
This section of the World Health Organization has international information on mental health and mental disorders.
National mental health hotline numbers:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK
- National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Hotline: (800) 662-HELP
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 OR (800) 787-3224
- National Child Abuse Hotline: (800) 4-A-CHILD
- National Youth Crisis Hotline:(800) HIT-HOME
- National Runaway Switchboard: (800) 621-4000
- Panic Disorder Information Line: (800) 64-PANIC
- Project Inform HIV/AIDS Treatment Hotline: (800) 822-7422
If you are looking for hard copies of resources, such as pamphlets, booklets, etc, visit your doctor’s office to see what they have available. Other places that may have resources include some of the offices that offer mental health services in your area. If you are unsure, send them an email, call them, or take a visit and talk with the workers there.
Here are some online resources that are available (and that can be shared with others):
- Conversation Tips
- Organizational Tips: How to help others at work.
- Speak Out Magazine
- It’s Time To Change Brochure
This Article was written by:
Alex Newton is a nursing student and mental health advocate. She grew up in a small town and plans on moving to London, England one day and open up her own health practice. She has a cat named Maya who she adopted whilst going through some difficulties. She’s a daughter, sister, and warrior who enjoys a nice cuppa tea.
Nichole is a Social Media Marketing Manager and a Non-Profit Movement supporter. She grew up on a farm where she learned what it means to work hard and what is involved in being successful. She is an avid coffee lover who enjoys a good movie or book. She takes great joy in organizing, scheduling, and volunteering. Her passion for volunteerism extends specifically to those who are hurting, whether it is emotionally, physically, or mentally.
Nichole is certified to provide Mental Health First Aid, which means she can provide immediate support and guidance in a safe environment, comfortably have a conversation about mental health related issues and offer professional and other supports. This does NOT make Nichole a psychologist, or a counselor. It simply gives her the tools to direct people to the help they need.
Defying Shadows 
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