Distress and Crisis Ontario (DCO) is the provincial networking organization that supports and helps build and sustain the capacity of its member agencies in the continuum of support, referral and mental health services offered to the people of Ontario. At a Distress Centre, individuals can find a listening ear for lonely, depressed, and/or suicidal people, usually 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many centres also have Suicide Survivor programs, support services for youth, telephone call out programs for seniors and vulnerable people, mental health Crisis Phone Lines, Online Chat services and much more. For a listing of member agencies, click here.
Waterloo, ON, N2J 4N7
Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario - On-site early intervention and crisis intervention
- needs assessment
- safety planning
- referrals to community services
- enhanced support for vulnerable victims
- assistance with applications to VQRP+
Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the eligible incident, may include home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses
- Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal and treatment at a recovery facility
- No direct reimbursements are made to victims for the supports listed above
- Financial support is also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims
Kitchener, ON, N2G 4G3
Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario - On-site early intervention and crisis intervention
- needs assessment
- safety planning
- referrals to community services
- enhanced support for vulnerable victims
- assistance with applications to VQRP+
Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the eligible incident, may include home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses
- Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal and treatment at a recovery facility
- No direct reimbursements are made to victims for the supports listed above
- Financial support is also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims
Kitchener, ON, N2H 2M2
- Provide emotional support and intervention, options, information, referrals, as well as advocacy and accompaniments
- Phone support is available in more than 200 languages through an interpreter service
- Online chat support available as well, see website for availability.
Kitchener, ON, N2H 2M2
- Offers individual counselling to all genders (16 years of age and older) in both Kitchener and Cambridge
- 24 Hour Support Line and support groups, advocacy, referrals, and accompaniments for women to the hospital, police, and courthouse
- Information on the family court process
- Assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid)
- Referral to specialized services and supports in the community
- Safety planning
- Court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate
- Counselling
- Advocacy
- Crisis support
- Safety planning
- Related accompaniments
- Practical assistance
- Support through legal processes
- Support with obtaining housing
- Connections to community supports
- Public education and outreach
Kitchener, ON, N2H 2M2
- Provides services and support to people and their families who have experienced sexual violence
- Offers individual counselling to all genders (16 years of age and older) in both Kitchener and Cambridge
- 24-Hour Support Line and support groups, advocacy, referrals, and accompaniments to the hospital, police, and courthouse
- Program supporting women who have experienced violence as they navigate the Family Court process.
Kitchener, ON, N2A 3N8
Can be reached by text, instructions on website for how to erase browser history. Also offer translation services, both in person and on the phone.
This is a free service, both in shelter and outreach programs.
Cambridge, ON
- Provides services and support to people and their families who have experienced sexual violence
- Offers individual counselling to all genders (16 years of age and older) in both Kitchener and Cambridge
- 24-Hour Support Line and support groups, advocacy, referrals, and accompaniments to the hospital, police, and courthouse
- Program supporting women who have experienced violence as they navigate the Family Court process.
Cambridge, ON, N1R 6V7
Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario - On-site early intervention and crisis intervention
- needs assessment
- safety planning
- referrals to community services
- enhanced support for vulnerable victims
- assistance with applications to VQRP+
Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the eligible incident, may include home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses
- Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal and treatment at a recovery facility
- No direct reimbursements are made to victims for the supports listed above
- Financial support is also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims
Cambridge, ON, N1R 8M5
Can be reached by text, instructions on website for how to erase browser history. Also offer translation services, both in person and on the phone.
This is a free service, both in shelter and outreach programs.
Guelph, ON, N1H 1C8
Trained volunteers provide emotional support, goal and safety planning, and assistance to callers in connecting with other community resources. Volunteers provide confidential, solution-focused response and assessment of crisis with intervention when required.
- support for people who are experiencing distress about their circumstances
- referral to community services
- training provided for volunteers on listening and communication skills, solution-focused conversation, and assessing high risk situations
Distress Line
- 519-821-3760 ext. 1
- Supports mild to moderate levels of distress through active listening.
- 519-821-3760 ext. 2
- Outbound call service designed to support community members of Guelph-Wellington who are struggling with independent living.
- 519-669-3760
- Supports members of the LGBTQ+ Community by providing a safe space to chat and connect with resources. Texting is also an option.
Guelph, ON, N1H 0A1
Service categories include:
- information, assessment and referral
- crisis assessment
- support coordination
- peer / self help
- short-term crisis support beds
- court support and diversion
- community counselling and treatment
- support within housing
- day / evening treatment
- residential treatment
- Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT)
- eating disorders
- early psychosis treatment and support services
Guelph, ON, N1E 6K9
- confidential and anonymous
- connection to appropriate services - safe shelter, safety planning, legal / medical / housing assistance, counselling
- referral / liaison with other community supports and resources
- support for family members and concerned friends
Guelph, ON, N1E 4J4
- Emotional support, trauma counselling, safety planning and follow-up care.
Note: Guelph General Hospital is the designated sexual assault centre for the region
Guelph, ON, N1H 4C6
Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario - On-site early intervention and crisis intervention
- needs assessment
- safety planning
- referrals to community services
- enhanced support for vulnerable victims
- assistance with applications to VQRP+
Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the eligible incident, may include home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses
- Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal and treatment at a recovery facility
- No direct reimbursements are made to victims for the supports listed above
- Financial support is also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims
Project Lifesaver: provides wrist transmitters to individuals who may wander due to cognitive impairment. Suitable for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease, autism, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (VSW partners with Wellington County OPP and Guelph Police Service).
Spira Fire Victim Relief Fund: financial aid for those experiencing material loss due to a residential fire and are uninsured.
Guelph, ON, N1E 2X2
- non-residential program (connects women to Marianne's Place)
- individual and group counselling
- child care available during counselling
- safety planning
- support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse / sexual assault / harassment / stalking / human trafficking
- appointment arranged in mutually agreed location if required
- transportation, accompaniment to police, court, hospital, lawyer, shelter, rural services
- advocacy / referral to community agencies
- education / training on all woman abuse / sexual violence issues
- support for criminal injuries compensation / victim impact statements / restraining orders
- housing / legal / financial / custody information and support
- support for family / partners / friends of survivors
- Family Court Support
- client library and resource materials
- public education presentations available on request
Guelph, ON, N1E 2X2
- individual / group counselling and support
- accompaniment to hospital / police / court
- advocacy / court preparation / community referrals
- assistance with victim impact statements
- sexual harassment support / accompaniment
- information on sexual assault / sexual harassment / childhood sexual abuse / incest / stalking
- information on legal / medical procedures and options
- client workshops on selected topics
- support for family / friends of sexually violated survivors
- public education / training / information sessions available on request
- client library and resource materials
- supporting sexual assault / incest survivors
- providing 24-hour on call service / public education / accompaniment
Guelph, ON, N1E 2X2
Programs include Marianne's Place (shelter), Transitional and Housing Support Program, Family Court Support Program, Rural Women's Support Program, Sexual Assault Centre, 24-hour Crisis Line, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Program.
Guelph, ON, N1E 2X2
- immediate telephone support and information through 24-hour Crisis Line
- individual / group counselling and support
- accompaniment to hospital / police / court
- advocacy / court preparation / community referrals
- assistance with victim impact statements
- sexual harassment support / accompaniment
- risk assessments and safety planning
- information on and support through legal / medical / immigration processes and options
- information on sexual assault / sexual harassment / childhood sexual abuse / incest / stalking
- housing or emergency shelter support
- substance use community supports
- support for family / friends of sexually violated survivors
- facilitated culturally appropriate connections
- public education, training, targeted outreach
- client library and resource materials
Provides a trauma-informed, harm reduction, intersectional approach and response to crisis, working from an anti-racism, anti-oppression framework.
Additional e-mail address: [email protected]
Stratford, ON, N5A 5T9
Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) - program of last resort where no other available private or public resource is available
- needs assessment
- safety planning
- referrals to community services
- enhanced support for vulnerable victims
- assistance with applications to VQRP+
Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) -- assistance with emergency expenses related to the eligible incident, may include home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses.
- additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal, and treatment at a recovery facility.
- no direct reimbursement are made to victims for the supports listed above.
- financial support is also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims.
Satellite offices at:
- Perth County OPP
- Stratford CMHA
Stratford, ON, N5A 2Y8
Emergency Room assistance available at all 8 hospitals, call ahead to ensure that a staff person can go to the hospital location.
Emergency Homelessness - People and families in need of emergency housing should contact the Ontario Works or ODSP office during regular work hours. Outside of normal business hours, contact the Huron Perth Helpline and Crisis Response Team for assistance.
Program is mobile with police in Huron and Perth counties.
Woodstock, ON, N4S 0A5
- Crisis/Help/Support Line
- Residential Shelter Services
- Transitional Resource Program
- Family Court Support
- Community Support, System Navigation
- Supportive Groups and Counselling
Eight week conditional & educational program designed for women, children/adolescents who have been impacted by intimate partner violence.
Community Support Program
One-on-one and group support for women in Oxford who have experienced abuse from an intimate partner. Offers an opportunity for women to share their experiences, learn about abuse and trauma, and develop coping skills for their recovery journey.
- Transportation support can be coordinated.
- Free and confidential.
Brantford, ON, N3T 5L8
- Office-based counselling provides support to families whose children and youth struggle with mental health concerns, school difficulties, family conflict, divorce, trauma, grief, addictions, behavioural concerns, suicide concerns, suicidal ideation, and general counselling
- Intensive Services are directed toward families of children (0-18 years) * This program offers counselling and support, parenting strategies, consultation, and support to schools, parenting groups, and children's programs
- Tele-Mental Health provides Program Consultations, an Educational Component, and Direct Consultations with Child Psychiatrists throughout Ontario using video conferencing
Woodstock, ON, N4S 1E1
Victim Quick Response Program + (VQRP) --
assistance with emergency expenses related to the incident, including home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses * additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal, and treatment at a recovery facility * no direct reimbursement to victims for above supports * financial support also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of child homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims