For when: You could use a little bit of support.

Think you could use some support? We’ve got your covered. Start the conversation today by checking out the following resources.

Interactive Resources

Check out the following activities that involve a small level of commitment and interaction, but are self-directed, done at  your own time and pace, with minimal investment.

Welltrack

Welltrack Boost is a self-guided, clinically supported, Cognitive-behavioural therapy(CBT)-based, set of tools that help individuals assess, understand, and work on their own behavioral health and wellness. The web application or mobile app can be used on their own device and schedule.
Welltrack Boost can help you get better and maintain your mental health in five easy steps.

To learn more, click here.

Wellness Together Canada

Wellness Together Canada uses a quick self-assessment that asks about your mood, well-being, and functioning and then offers customized help to assist you to improve your mental health.

To learn more, click here.

Anxiety Canada

My Anxiety Plan (MAP) is an anxiety management program based on cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), an evidence-based psychological treatment. MAPs for Children and Teens, Adults, and Educators are easy to navigate and helpful for those with mild to moderate anxiety.

To learn more, click here.

MindShiftÂŽ CBT App – Anxiety Canada

Is anxiety getting in the way of your life? MindShiftÂŽ CBT uses scientifically proven strategies based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help you learn to relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety. A new feature, the Community forum, now enables you to find and offer peer-to-peer support.

To learn more, click here.

AccessMHA

AccessMHA makes it easier to help find mental health and/or substance use health support, services, and care in Eastern Ontario. They eliminate the guesswork and work with you to refer you to the services you need, all while supporting you through the process. After reaching out to AccessMHA, you will be paired with a trained mental health and addictions professional who will connect you to the services you need from a network of partner organizations.

To learn more, click here.

211 Ontario

211 Ontario is a free and confidential service that easily connects people to the critical social and community supports they need. Navigators then provide referrals to services to connect them to the right supports.
To learn more, click here.

Peer Support

Connect with someone who knows what you’re going though – people with lived experiences and mental health professionals ready to help!

Algonquin’s AC Purple Couch

The AC Purple Couch™ promotes mental health awareness amongst students, and presents valuable mental health resources to support students and foster success throughout their college experience.

The concept behind the couch: wherever you see the AC Purple Couch™, grab a seat, and speak your mind. Chat with the person beside you, trained student leaders, or mental health professionals. Just talk.

Have a seat on the AC Purple CouchTM and start the conversation!

To learn more, click here.

Algonquin’s International Peer Mentor Program

International Peer Mentors are students in level 2 and up that volunteer their time to assist new international students during their transition to life at Algonquin College and Ottawa. International peer mentors are a great resource for new international students and can offer information and support to students on campus. This program is open to all full-time enrolled students that are in their second semester or higher who are in good academic-standing at Algonquin College.

To learn more, click here.

Togetherall

If you’re feeling lonely, stressed, worried or just not yourself, on Togetherall you can get support and start to feel better. Share experiences in a safe, anonymous space. Benefit from practical wellbeing tools and resources. Gain access in minutes, available all day, every day.

To learn more, click here.

Mood Disorders Ottawa

A safe, supportive place, surrounded by adults with a mood disorder who ‘get it’. A peer support group, for adults 18+ with mood disorders. Join the sessions for a friendly, confidential discussion of mood disorder-related topics and personal issues. Virtual Peer Support Groups are hosted through the Zoom platform phone and/or video group chat and will include an MDO facilitator and other participating peers.

To learn more, click here.

Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa

A community of peers using their lived experiences with the mental health system to support one another in moving towards our full potential. They offer a safe and non-judgmental environment for consumer/survivors and their families to come together, support one another and build upon our skills.

To learn more, click here.

Hopewell Eating Disorders Support Centre Ottawa

Hopewell provides individuals programs and resources for teens, adults, and their families coping with eating disorders.

To learn more about the programs available, click here.

All People, All Pathways

CAPSA offers educational opportunities to engage in lifelong learning through training on the topic of substance use health, stigma, person-first language, and allyship. Stigma and judgement-free language about substance use health must become a priority that moves us away from presumptions of disorders and bad/harmful actions.

All People, All Pathways is a peer-facilitated online group offering evidence-based practices and tools designed to help those who are questioning their relationship with their substance use.

To learn more, click here.

Jack.org

Jack.org is Canada’s only charity committed to training and empowering young leaders to revolutionize mental health in every province and territory. Through Jack Talks, Jack Chapters, and Jack Summits, young leaders identify and dismantle barriers to positive mental health in their communities.

To learn more, click here.

Youthline

LGBT YouthLine is a *2SLGBTQ+ youth-led organization that affirms and supports the experiences of youth (29 and under) across Ontario. We do this by:
– Providing anonymous peer support and referrals;
– Training youth to provide support to other youth; and
– Providing resources so youth can make informed decisions.
Support is available by telephone, text or live chat. To learn more, click here.

Talk4Healing

Started in 2012 by Beendigen in partnership with the Ontario Native Women’s Association, Talk4Healing has provided over 20,000 Indigenous women and their families with real-world solutions, without judgment, in a safe and accepting environment.
They offer 24/7 help, support and resources for Indigenous women and children, by Indigenous women, all across Ontario. You can talk, text or chat and they have a crisis line available.
To learn more, click here.

Berieved Families of Ontario

A peer-led organization of affiliate chapters across Ontario.
Provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for those who have experienced the death of a loved one to discuss your experiences and learn about grief with others who have been there. The service we provide is free, no charge for our help and support.
They give you a chance to talk, in a confidential setting, about how the death of your loved one affects your life. Facilitators walk the grief journey with you, giving you a light in the darkness.
Our affiliates offer a range of individual and group support programs, in both an open and closed setting. While professional help is beneficial to many; peer programs provide an additional and sometimes alternative resource for those who are grieving.
Bereaved Families of Ontario can assist you to be helpful for a friend, relative or co-worker who has experienced the death of a loved one.
To learn more, click here.

Activities and Workshops

Get involved with these activities and workshops where you’ll learn something new and connect with others!

Algonquin’s Student Support Services Events Calendar

Events are a great way to meet people and try new things. There are lots of events from Student Support Services taking place each week. We encourage you to tune in to as many as you can!

To check out upcoming events, click here.

Algonquin’s Academic and Personal Success Student Workshops

A range of workshops delivered by Algonquin College to help students develop and strengthen fundamental skills such as research, writing, math, digital skills, and study skills to help you succeed in your classes and life.

To learn more and sign up, click here.

Algonquin’s Mental Health & Study Skills Workshops

Free workshops on mental health, academic, and career skills run by Counselling Services.  These workshops can provide new strategies to approach your courses and opportunities to share ideas and connect with other students.

Includes courses on stress management, time management, organization note-taking, reading, studying, and more.

Click here to check them out!

Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa

A community of peers using our lived experiences with the mental health system to support one another in moving towards our full potential.

Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa offers a number of workshops to support for survivors of psychiatric illness and their families. Workshops are led by trained peer facilitators in a non-judgmental environment where survivors and families can come together and support one another and build skills

To learn more, click here.

Conversations at The Royal

The Royal is one of Canada’s foremost mental health care, teaching, and research hospitals. The Royal offers a free workshops and public education series in support of mental health.

Conversations at The Royal is a free public education series that offers a thought-provoking insight into mental health issues that are important to our community. These lectures delivered by mental health researchers, clinicians, and clients of The Royal are held almost every month.

To learn more, click here.

Guided Self-Help

Mixed care that involves both self-directed reading and resources, plus regular support from a care provider like a coach, social worker or other type of professional, either online, phone, or in person!

Algonquin’s Counselling Services Drop-in Groups

Drop-in groups are facilitated by Algonquin employees and are open to all students. These include:
– Spill the Tea
– Photography – Connecting Through Perspective
– Studying in the Parent Zone
Group counselling boosts your skills, coping strategies, and support system by providing a safe, supportive environment where you can share your experiences. It enhances your connection to others, and provides you with a variety of approaches and perspectives to help you deal with challenges.
To learn more, click here.

Wellness Together Canada

Wellness Together Canada provides connections to a number of support programs for individuals confronting mental health issues. Users must create an account to track their progress.

To learn more, click here.

Y Mind Canada

Y Mind Youth is a free seven-week mental wellness program for young people who are aged 18 to 30 and struggling with mild-to-moderate anxiety or stress. Anxiety can impact our lives by preventing us from doing what we want or need to do. It can also be an isolating experience.  This free program brings young people who have similar thoughts and feelings together. Participants learn evidence-based skills from trained mental health professionals and report feeling reduced anxiety, increased well-being and feeling less alone following the program.

To learn more, click here.

Bounceback

BounceBackŽ is a free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). It is designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.

Telephone coaching sessions typically last 15-20 mins long and are usually scheduled every 2-3 weeks. A referral is needed for the program.

To learn more, click here.

Group Programming

Connect with others in a safe space!

Counselling Services Structured Groups

Structured programs require students to register in advance and attend sessions over a series of weeks. They are offered on a variety of topics to help you develop skills to manage your mental health concerns and improve mental wellness, including:
– Mindfully Me
– Working with Emotions
– Thriving in Action
Group counselling boosts your skills, coping strategies, and support system by providing a safe, supportive environment where you can share your experiences. It enhances your connection to others, and provides you with a variety of approaches and perspectives to help you deal with challenges.
To learn more, click here.

Ontario Structured Psychotheraphy (OSP) Program

In Ontario, adults with depression and anxiety-related conditions can access publicly-funded, evidence-based, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and related approaches to help manage their conditions. CBT is a structured, time-limited therapy that is problem-focused and goal-oriented and teaches practical strategies and skills.
Individuals can be referred by their doctor or by completing the referral form at https://www.accessmha.ca/
To learn more, click here.

Men and Healing

Men and Healing have a mission to support men, in a process of change, with structure and integrity.
They work in a male-centred approach to psychology and therapy.
They provide individual and group tratment on topics such as anger management, trauma recovery, emotional integrity and sexual integrity.
To learn more, click here.

Gender Journeys Support Group

The Gender Journeys ideal group is those in the early stages of gender transition, aged 17 and older. In this group, you will learn about and discuss gender, transition, and well-being.
This group is also a place to meet others going through similar experiences. Groups start serveral times a year and each group meets once a week for eight weeks virtually through zoom.

To learn more, click here.

The Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health

Healing with others is powerful. It not only supports the individual but also builds strong communities. Wabano offers a variety of groups on topics that matter to Indigenous adults.
– Pain management
– Grief and Trauma Recovery
– Art Therapy
– Diabetes Education Group
– Nimiigwetchwendam Co-Ed Sharing Circle
– Wellbriety: Indigenous Recovery Group
– New Beginnings: Men’s Sharing Circle
Due to the intensive healing work done in these groups, registration is required.
To learn more, click here.