Crisis and mental health supports

Discussions about colonialism, residential schools, systemic racism, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people (MMIWG2S+), and other forms of violence can be difficult and may bring up painful memories or emotions. If you need support, the following resources provide crisis intervention, counselling, cultural support and information for Indigenous people, families and communities.

Immediate crisis

911

Call 911 for emergencies or situations where someone is in immediate danger. 

 

988 Suicide Crisis Helpline 

Call or text 988 anywhere in Canada, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

https://988.ca

 

Indigenous-specific supports

Hope for Wellness Helpline  

https://www.hopeforwellness.ca 

1-855-242-3310 

A national Indigenous crisis and counselling service available to all Indigenous people across Canada 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone or online chat.  

Phone and online chat services are available in English and French. Phone services are also available upon request in Cree, Ojibway (Anishinaabemowin) and Inuktitut, but these languages may not always be available. Call to find out when a speaker of one of these languages is available.

 

 

Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program

https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1581971225188/1581971250953  

The program provides ongoing counselling, emotional support, cultural support and access to Elders and traditional healers for residential school Survivors, their families and intergenerational Survivors. Services are available regardless of status or place of residence. 

 

 

Indian Residential School Survivor Support Line

1-866-925-4419 

A national crisis line that provides immediate emotional and crisis support for residential school Survivors, their families and intergenerational Survivors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

 

 

Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) 

https://www.irsss.ca  

Indigenous-led support services, cultural support, healing programs, and the Lamathut Crisis Line. 

1-800-721-0066 

The Lamathut Crisis Line is a First Nations-led, culturally grounded support service operated by the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.  

Rooted in Indigenous ways of care, Lamathut provides confidential, barrier-free support to residential school Survivors, intergenerational Survivors and First Nations people and families experiencing crisis, trauma, grief and gender-based violence, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

 

Supports for families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people

National Family and Survivors Circle 

https://familysurvivorscircle.ca/crisis-and-support-info/ 

Family members seeking information about a missing or murdered loved one can access the Family Information Liaison Unit in their province or territory. 

 

Additional supports

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) 

https://nctr.ca/contact/survivors/ 

Information about support services, Survivor resources and educational materials.

Navigation