Mental Health Support for Frontline Workers
As a frontline worker, your focus is on the well-being of others, but the weight of that care often leads to burnout and compassion fatigue. Seeking help can feel difficult due to professional stigma or the belief that you should be able to handle these pressures alone, yet nearly 47% of Canadian frontline professionals now report significant work-related burnout.¹ This page is here to provide a safe, confidential path to specialized support, removing the red tape and helping you prioritize your own mental health with the same dedication you give to your community.
¹Source: Robert Half Canada
What kinds of programs and services are available for Frontline Workers
Frontline Wellness is a free, low-barrier, confidential program created by the Mental Health and Addiction Centre for Excellence, and is fully funded by Ontario Health.
1:1 Brief Intervention
Confidential short-term (4-6 sessions) support for healthcare workers through rapid access to a trained mental health professional. They will connect with you and listen, help you develop some goals, provide coping skills coaching, and use some evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to help you reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression.
You can also receive help connecting to other resources or services if needed.
Group Programming
This safe space has been created for multiple participants to discuss their experiences with a mental health professional in a safe and supportive setting.
Group interactions allow participants to build relationships, receive feedback on how to meet goals and overcome challenges, and gain encouragement from others. These
Group Offerings are intended to bring participants together to learn, connect, and build awareness of their common challenges to strengthen and maintain overall safety and well-being.
Wellbeing Mini Workshops
Promoting and protecting overall health and wellbeing is critically important. These workshops strive to enhance and encourage resilience and self-awareness by exploring wellness coping skills and strategies for your team.
Other Resources
Explore more resources for frontline workers including exercises, worksheets and charts.
Use our search to find services near you
Why frontline worker mental health support matters
Frontline work demands a high level of emotional and physical investment, often leading to a unique set of challenges known as vicarious trauma and moral injury. Providing specialized support for those in healthcare, emergency services, and social assistance is essential—not just for the individual worker’s health, but for the continued strength and safety of the entire community.
NUPGE Health Human Resources Report, 2025
89%
89% of healthcare workers believe the current system is in a staffing crisis, which directly increases the "moral injury" felt when providers lack the time or resources to care for patients as they were trained to do.
1 in 5
Despite the high stress of the job, only 1 in 5 frontline workers who experience trauma at work seek professional mental health support, often due to concerns about workplace disclosure.
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health
Support When and Where You Need It
To get started, book a free in-person or virtual appointment. During your appointment, a professional counsellor will work with you to understand your concern, answer your questions, develop strategies to assist you with your concern, and if needed match you with additional support that best meets your needs.
Inclusive services for all frontline workers
Frontline Wellness access and supports are available to anyone who works in a healthcare or social care setting in Ontario.
This includes healthcare volunteers, students on clinical placement, frontline healthcare workers and other healthcare workers not in direct patient contact. This includes anyone in any role -at all levels of employment in these settings.
These services are available for anyone working in healthcare who may be feeling the impacts of stressors related to managing stress, anxiety, and depression on your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Services for Frontline Workers
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What is a "frontline worker?"
A frontline worker is anyone who works in a healthcare or social care setting. This includes healthcare volunteers, students on clinical placement, frontline healthcare workers and other healthcare workers not in direct patient contact. This includes anyone in any role -at all levels of employment in these settings.
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Is this service actually confidential from my employer?
You can find support for things like stress, anxiety, depression, anger, family conflict, work pressure, identity questions, substance use, and major life changes. Some services offer one-on-one counselling, others support families or groups, and some provide tools you can use on your own.
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How do I find mental health support for first responders in Simcoe Muskoka?
No. You don’t need to know the “right” service or use the “right” words. Many people start by exploring what’s available near them or talking with a counsellor who can help guide them to the right kind of support.
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Can I get help for burnout without a doctor’s referral?
Most counselling services are confidential, meaning what you share stays private. There are some limits if someone is worried about your safety or the safety of others, but counsellors will explain this clearly before you begin.
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Is there a cost for frontline worker mental health services?
Yes. You don’t need to be in crisis to ask for help. Counselling and support can be useful for everyday stress, relationship challenges, feeling overwhelmed, or just needing someone to talk to.
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What is the difference between "Ready2Talk" and the "OSP" program for healthcare workers?
Ready2Talk: Best for immediate, single-session support when you are feeling overwhelmed or need a quick strategy to handle a current stressor.
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP): Best for more structured, long-term care focusing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for conditions like depression, social anxiety, or PTSD.
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Is virtual therapy as effective as in-person counselling?
Research shows that for many conditions, including anxiety and depression, virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person care. Our partners offer secure video, phone, and in-person options to suit your comfort level and schedule.
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What if I need help with something other than anxiety or depression?
What if I need help with something other than anxiety or depression?
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Are these sessions available outside of standard business hours?
Many counselling services are free, publicly funded, or covered through community programs. Some services may have waitlists, while others focus on short-term or immediate support. You can explore options using the search tool to see what’s available near you.
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Can I access support if I am currently off on a WSIB claim?
That’s okay. The resources section includes worksheets, tools, and exercises you can use on your own. These can be helpful while you’re waiting for services, deciding what you need, or just looking for ways to cope right now.
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What if I’m experiencing vicarious trauma or moral injury?
Our clinicians are specifically trained to recognize and treat vicarious trauma and moral injury—challenges common in nursing, social work, and emergency services. You don’t have to "tough it out"; these are recognized occupational health concerns that we are equipped to help you navigate.
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What if I’ve tried counselling before and it didn’t help?
That doesn’t mean that counselling won’t ever work for you. Different counsellors, approaches, or types of support can feel very different. Many people try more than one option before finding the right fit.
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How do I start?
You can:
- Explore services using the map and filters
- Read about different types of support
- Use resources right away
- Reach out to a service that feels like a good fit
There’s no single “right” first step.
