Helplines in Canada
If someone's life is at risk, call 911 for police, ambulance or fire. Be aware that 911 is not available everywhere in Nunavut. If you are thinking about suicide, or worried about someone who is, the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline answers calls and texts on 988, free and 24 hours a day.
Almost every service here works in English, and most also in French. 988 answers in both. Kids Help Phone offers other languages by phone, and Hope for Wellness can offer Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut on request. The Assaulted Women's Helpline in Ontario says it can support callers in more than two hundred languages.
Children, teens and young adults aged 5 to 29 can reach Kids Help Phone at any hour on 1-800-668-6868, by text (CONNECT to 686868) or by chat. First Nations, Inuit and Métis people can call the Hope for Wellness Help Line on 1-855-242-3310, day or night. Women in Ontario who have experienced abuse can call the Assaulted Women's Helpline on 1-866-863-0511, 24/7. Shelter addresses are kept confidential for safety, and the helpline can help you find a place. Trans people can talk to a trans peer on 1-877-330-6366, Monday to Friday, 1pm to 9pm Eastern. The NEDIC Helpline on 1-866-633-4220 supports people with eating disorders and those around them.
If you are calling from a foreign SIM, dial the toll-free numbers as shown. Each number here was checked at its official source, and the date is shown next to it.
Emotional support
Suicide prevention
Domestic violence
LGBTQ+
Young people
Eating disorders
NEDIC Helpline
National Eating Disorder Information Centre helpline for people with eating disorders and those supporting them.
- Hours: Phone: Mon to Thu 10am to 6pm, Fri 10am to 5pm, Sat and Sun 12pm to 5pm (Eastern)
- Languages: English
- English available
- Cost: free
- Chat
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Questions about getting help in Canada
What is the emergency number in Canada?
In Canada, call 911 in an emergency. If someone's life is at risk, don't wait: call straight away. Emergency calls are free.
Is there a free mental health helpline in Canada?
Yes. 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline (988) and Hope for Wellness Help Line (1-855-242-3310). Details, opening hours and the official source for each number are listed on this page.
Can I get help in English in Canada?
Yes. These services say they offer English: 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline (988), Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868), Hope for Wellness Help Line (1-855-242-3310) and Assaulted Women's Helpline (Ontario) (1-866-863-0511).
Where can women experiencing violence get help in Canada?
Contact Assaulted Women's Helpline (Ontario) (1-866-863-0511). Shelter addresses are kept confidential for safety, so the helpline is the way in. In immediate danger, call 911.
Is there a helpline for children and young people in Canada?
Yes. Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868).
Numbers are checked against each service's own website on the date shown. Services change, so if a number doesn't work please tell me: hello@michellefernando.com.