Mental Health Support for Youth

You can find support for things like stress, anxiety, depression, anger, family conflict, school pressure, identity questions, substance use, and big life changes. Some services offer one-on-one counselling, others support families or groups, and some provide tools you can use on your own.

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.

Most youth 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.

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.

One-on-one counselling is private support between you and a counsellor.

Family counselling involves you and your family working together to improve communication or solve problems.

Support groups connect you with other youth who are dealing with similar experiences, guided by a trained facilitator.

Yes. Some youth choose to involve parents or caregivers, especially in family counselling or when it feels helpful. You can usually talk with your counsellor about what feels right for you.

Yes. There are services that support youth during urgent or crisis situations, including same-day or short-term support. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted right away. See our Crisis Support page. 

Many youth 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.

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.

Yes — many youth services let you reach out directly without a referral. This means you can contact the service yourself, or sometimes with help from a parent, caregiver, or trusted adult.

A referral simply means that someone like a doctor, nurse practitioner, school staff member, or another service helps connect you to support. Some programs ask for a referral because it helps them make sure you’re matched to the right type of care — but it doesn’t mean your needs aren’t valid.

Each service explains whether a referral is needed before you start, and if you’re unsure, many services can help you figure out the next step.

Youth services typically support children, teens, and young adults, but age ranges can vary by program. You can use the search filters to find services that match your age.

That doesn’t mean support won’t 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.

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.

Yes. Caregivers, family members, and supporters can explore services and resources to better understand what help is available for youth in their life.

Yes. Many services help youth navigate options and find the right support, even if they’re unsure where to begin. That’s part of what this site is designed to support.