Caregivers and care partners support their loved ones’ health and wellbeing. The Mental Health and Addictions Sector Table (MHAST) started this webpage to house resources for caregivers all in one place. The resources are from local, provincial, and national organizations. In the spirit of quality improvement, this webpage continues to be revised so that it may be useful and evergreen for caregivers in Windsor-Essex and beyond. Feedback from multiple Patient, Family, and Caregiver Advisors, and subject matter experts was used to create the version it is today.
Click on a block to view the resources within each category.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact the Community Crisis Centre519-973-4435 (24/7) or call 911 (24/7). Call or text 9-8-8 for the Suicide Crisis Helpline (24/7).
General
211 Ontario: Helpline that connects people to the social services, programs, and community supports they need | 211 | Available 24/7
ConnexOntario: Free access to addiction and mental health treatment services information. | 1-866-531-2600 | Available 24/7
Family Services Windsor-Essex (FSWE): Provides counselling and individual support services | 1-888-933-1831 | Available 24/7
FSWE (main office) | 519-966-5010 | Available Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) Community Crisis Centre: A crisis response service for those who require immediate assessment, psychosocial intervention, and support |519-973-4435| Available 24/7
HDGH Crisis and Mental Wellness Centre | 519-257-5111 ext. 72621 | Available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Ontario Caregiver Helpline: Access information about caregiver support and services in your area | 1-833-416-2273 (CARE) | Available 24/7
National Overdose Response Service Hotline (NORS): An overdose prevention hotline for Canadians providing confidential and non-judgmental support for people who use substances | 1-888-688-6677 | Available 24/7
Children & Youth
Maryvale “Triple P” Positive Parenting Program | Parent of Caregiver of a youth (13-17 years ) single session call-in line. |519-419-1949 | Tuesday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Kids Help Phone| Professional Counselling in English or French. Services are offered in over 100 languages with the help of trained interpreters. | 1-800-668-6868 | Available 24/7
Sexual Assault Crisis Centre | Free, private and confidential services for children and adults. | 519-253-9667 | Crisis Line Available 24/7
Regional Children’s Centre Counselling Clinic | free, quick, confidential accesss to health services for children and youth up to the age of 18 and their families. | 519-257-5437 | Available Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
One Stop Talk | free and immediate access to mental health supports for Ontario children and youth up to the age of 17. | 1-855-416-8255 or connect with a registered therapist online at https://onestoptalk.ca/ | Available Monday to Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Eating Disorders
Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA): Centralized intake to be triaged by a Social Worker and directed to appropriate services for eating disorder support | 1-855-969-5530 | Available Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Below are resources for programs to support caregivers. They include in-person and virtual programs. For more information on these supports, please contact the respective organization.
General
Erie St Clair Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs | Free online or in-person 6-week interactive workshop, ‘Powerful Tools for Caregivers’. For information about the Powerful Tools for Caregivers series, please visit the following links to learn more about this amazing free program: Powerful tools for caregivers and Self management programs.
Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) | Free mental health education and support – SCALE program (English, French)
OCO | Roadmap to caregiving: The realities of mental illness and addictions. Self directed eLearning course for caregivers. Create an account through the OCO Learning Library for this and other caregiver eLearning courses (English, French)
Sexual Assault Crisis Centre (SACC) | Free, private and confidential services for children, adolescents and adults who have been sexually violated recently or in the past (English, French)
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) | Family-to-Family Education Course: The NAMI Family Education Program is an 8-week course offered by trained NAMI Instructors which includes topics covering: symptoms of mental illness, basic biology of the brain, problem solving, medication review, empathy, communication skills, self care, rehabilitation and recovery, and stigma and advocacy. For more information and to register, call 519-256-4854 or email jlaforge@mhc-wec.on.ca. (English)
NAMI | Caring for youth (ages 22 and under) experiencing mental health symptoms. (English)
One Stop Talk | Children and Youth (ages 0 to 17) anywhere in Ontario immediate access to free mental health support; open Monday to Friday 12pm-8pm or Saturdays 12pm-4pm (English & French)
Windsor Essex Community Health Centre | The Substance Abuse Program for African and Caribbean Canadian Youth (SAPACCY) (English, French)
Windsor Family Health Team – Windsor Team Care Centre | One Team Recovery (OTR) Substance Abuse Program: OTR Family & Friends is a FREE educational group that meets for 90 minutes, 1 night a week, for 3 weeks. This group provides education and resources to family and friends who are looking for ways to support themselves and their loved ones who are dealing with substance use. (English, French, and others)
Young caregivers
Youth Hub Windsor-Essex | Programs and groups (English)
Below are resources for individual and group support. They include in-person and online support groups. For more information on these supports, please contact the respective organization.
General
Mental Health Connections | Individual support (English)
Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) | 1 to 1 peer support (English, French)
OCO | Roadmap to caregiving: The realities of mental illness and addictions. Self directed eLearning course for caregivers. Create an account through the OCO Learning Library for this and other caregiver eLearning courses (English, French)
Families and children
Children’s Mental Health Ontario | Parents for Children’s Mental Health (PCMH) is now hosting their Family to Family Support Groups at the Regional Children’s Centre. The support groups are open to parents and caregivers of children and young adults who are experiencing mental health concerns. Meetings will be held twice monthly in the Huot Building at 3901 Connaught Avenue (Ozad Room): First Thursday of the month from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Third Wednesday of the month from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; For more information please contact Windsor@pcmh.ca. (English, French)
House of Sophrosyne | Family Recovery/Support program: The family support group is dedicated to providing emotional support and education that will help individuals increase their coping and self-care through skill building opportunities. (English)
House of Sophrosyne | Life After Loss Grief Support Program: Life after loss is an educational support program for those bereaved by substance use. Participants are guided through an eight week journey where they will learn about addiction, trauma, self-care and how grief is an expression of love. (English)
Mental Health Connections | Family group support (English)
Windsor-Essex Community Health Centre (weCHC) | Addiction Support Workers provide individual and group sessions (ages 16 and older) to persons affected by substance use disorders or addictions (including loved ones). (English)
Below are informational resources for caregivers – reading material, video, and podcasts. For more information, please contact the respective organization.
General
Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) |Caregiver Mental Health and Well-Being (Website; English, French)
OCO | Caring for someone with a mental illness and/or addiction (Website; English, French)
OCO | I am a Caregiver – Getting Started Toolkit (PDF; English, French)
Youtube | Sashbear Foundation Expert Education Series (Video; English)
Families and children
Sault Area Hospital | Parents like us: The unofficial survival guide to parenting a young person with a substance use disorder – written by parents, for parents (PDF; English)
CAMH | Borderline Personality Disorder: An Information Guide for Families (PDF; English)
Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre: WECYAC is committed to raising public awareness regarding the existence of child/youth abuse in our community (Website; English, French)
Sexual Assault Crisis Centre: Resources for Parents/Guardians on sexual abuse and coping (Wesbite; English, French)
2SLGBTQ+ caregivers
OCO | Resources for 2SLGBTQ+ Caregivers (Website; English, French)
Consent and privacy
OCO | Caregivers of children and youth (Website; English, French)
OCO | Caregivers supporting someone capable of making their own decisions (Website; English, French)
OCO | Caregivers supporting someone incapable of making their own decisions (Website; English, French)
OCO | Caregivers supporting someone in the mental health and addiction system (Website; English, French)
OCO | Understanding health privacy and consent in Ontario: A guide for care providers (Website; English, French)
WE-SPARK | Caring for the Caregiver Conference, October 2021 | Consent and Mental Health Act – Many caregivers report experiencing challenges with being viewed as a partner in their loved ones care by mental health service providers, especially doctors. In this session, Mary Jane and Angie will discuss the mental health system, including the Mental Health Act framework and community-based services, risk management considerations, privacy and consent, and strategies for being an advocate in the system. Presenters – Mary Jane Dykeman & Angie Hamilton (slides)
https://youtu.be/yrbUGzSmVAc
WE-SPARK | Caring for the Caregiver Conference, October 2021 | Consent and Privacy – In this section, John will provide an overview of the legislation pertaining to consent and privacy. Information will also be presented on the rights and obligations of substitute decision-makers. Practical strategies caregivers can use when communicating with service providers will also be outlined. Presenter – John T. Clark, LLP (slides)
Eating disorders
Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders (FEAST) | (Website; English, French, and others)
National Initiative for Eating Disorders | Safety, Crisis Readiness and Other Essential Information for Caregivers (PDF; English)
Indigenous caregivers
OCO | Resources for Indigenous caregivers (Website; English, French)
Navigating the system
Street Health | Call Street Health for system navigation and advocacy 519-997-2824 ext. 408 or 409 (Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
WE-SPARK | Caring for the Caregiver Conference, October 2021 | Navigating the System – Navigating mental health and addiction resources can be difficult for individuals and families, especially when experiencing a crisis. We recognize the need to provide clarity on how to access mental health and addiction services so that individuals and families have timely access to them when needed. This session will; 1) explore common methods to access local mental health and addiction services, and 2) seek feedback on what is working well and what can be improved as it relates to access. Panelists – Patricia Thomas, Colleen Bruner-Pelletier, Judy Lear-Zylstra, Luciana Rosu-Sieza (slides)
Palliative Care
Ontario Palliative Care Network | (Website; English, French)
Hospice Palliative Care Ontario | Resources for Patients and Caregivers (Website; English)
Government of Ontario | Palliative and end-of-life care (Website; English, French)
Government of Canada | Palliative care can help improve quality of life (Website; English, French)
We want to hear about your experience as a caregiver to help improve our system. Please fill out the form below to help us understand the current challenges and opportunities for improvement regarding caregiving in Windsor-Essex, and to ensure we have the most helpful resources on this webpage.
