Private therapy can cost more than many people can pay, and public waitlists can stretch for months. That leaves a lot of people stuck between needing help and not knowing where to find free mental health support in Ontario.
Ontario does have free and low-cost mental health support, but it is spread across phone lines, government programs, community agencies and workplace benefits, so it is hard to find. Below, it is sorted by what you need right now.
If you need to talk to someone today
These services are free, confidential and open 24 hours a day:
- 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 9-8-8 if you are thinking about suicide or worried about someone who is.
- Health811: call 811 to talk with a registered nurse about anxiety, depression or other health concerns.
- Hope for Wellness Helpline: call 1-855-242-3310 or chat online at hopeforwellness.ca. It offers counselling and crisis support for Indigenous people across Canada, in English and French, with Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut on request.
- Kids Help Phone: call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 for young people.
If you don't know which service you need
Two free services exist to point you in the right direction:
- ConnexOntario: call 1-866-531-2600 or text CONNEX to 247247, at any hour. Staff can tell you about publicly funded mental health, addiction and gambling services near you.
- 211 Ontario: call 2-1-1 at any hour, or text 2-1-1 on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. A navigator can connect you with community programs, including mental health, housing and income support.
If you want free therapy for depression or anxiety
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) offers free, short-term cognitive behavioural therapy to adults 18 and older in Ontario who are dealing with depression or anxiety-related concerns. You can refer yourself, and you do not need a family doctor. Many people start with guided self-help and move to sessions with a therapist if they need more.
BounceBack
BounceBack is a free program of guided self-help with phone coaching, run by the Canadian Mental Health Association. It is open to people aged 15 and older who are dealing with low mood, stress or worry.
Therapy from a doctor
OHIP pays for therapy from doctors, including some family doctors and doctors whose practice focuses on psychotherapy. Ask your family doctor or nurse practitioner whether they offer it or can refer you. Our guide to what OHIP covers for therapy explains the details.
If you are young or a student
- One Stop Talk: free virtual sessions with a therapist for children and youth under 18.
- Kids Help Phone: free support for young people at any hour, by phone, text or online.
- Good2Talk: free support for post-secondary students in Ontario aged 17 to 25.
- Youth Wellness Hubs: free mental health, substance use and health services for young people aged 12 to 25.
- Your school: most colleges and universities offer free counselling to students. Check your student services office.
If you want community support and groups
Local branches of the Canadian Mental Health Association run free counselling, case management, groups and peer support. Community health centres and peer-run organizations also offer free drop-ins and groups. Services differ from town to town, so call your local branch or ask 211 what runs near you.
Peer support groups are often free. You meet with people who have been through similar experiences, usually with a trained facilitator. Many people find it easier to talk with others who understand from the inside. Read more about what peer support is.
If you have a job: check for free counselling at work
Many employers offer an Employee Assistance Program, often called an EAP or EFAP. Your employer pays for it, and you can usually get a few free, short-term counselling sessions by phone, video or in person. Many programs also cover your immediate family.
EAPs are confidential. Employers usually see only overall usage numbers, not who used the service or why. Look for the phone number in your benefits booklet or on your company's intranet, or ask human resources.
If you have workplace or private health benefits, check them too. Many plans cover part of the cost of a psychologist, psychotherapist or social worker each year.
Low-cost mental health support if you can pay something
- Sliding-scale fees: some therapists lower their fees based on income. Ask before you book.
- Training clinics: university and college clinics often offer lower-cost sessions with supervised students completing their practicum.
- Your tax return: fees paid to a psychologist or registered psychotherapist can usually count toward the medical expense tax credit. Keep your receipts.
While you wait for therapy
Even free programs can have waitlists. These can help in the meantime:
- Use BounceBack or another guided self-help program while you wait for therapy.
- Join a free peer support group through your local CMHA branch or a peer-run organization.
- Talk with a peer worker who has been through the mental health system and can help you plan your next steps.
- Keep 9-8-8 in your phone in case things get harder.
If you are comparing options, our guide to peer support vs therapy explains how the two differ.
Common questions
Is there free therapy in Ontario
Yes. Ontario Structured Psychotherapy offers free cognitive behavioural therapy to adults with depression or anxiety, and you can refer yourself. OHIP covers therapy from doctors and in hospitals, and many community agencies offer free counselling.
Where can I talk to someone for free right now in Ontario
Call or text 9-8-8 if you are in crisis, or call 811 to talk to a nurse. Indigenous people can call the Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310. Young people can call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868. All of these are free and open at any hour.
How do I get mental health help without a family doctor
You can refer yourself to Ontario Structured Psychotherapy and BounceBack without a doctor. ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) and 211 can point you to other services near you. A walk-in clinic can also assess you and make referrals.
Is peer support free
Often. Many CMHA branches and peer-run organizations offer free peer support groups. One-to-one sessions with independent peer workers, including on KristKonkrd, are usually paid.
Key takeaways
- For help right now, call or text 9-8-8, or call 811 to talk to a nurse.
- ConnexOntario and 211 can point you to free services near you.
- Adults with depression or anxiety can refer themselves to free therapy through Ontario Structured Psychotherapy.
- Young people, students and Indigenous people have dedicated free services.
- Check your workplace for an Employee Assistance Program with free counselling.
Want someone to talk to while you wait? Browse peer workers who have been through the system themselves.