At the College of Nurses of Ontario, we recognize the emotional toll that our roles in health care can take. If you’re an Ontario nurse struggling with your mental health, there are resources that can help. 

Crisis Services Canada 

Suicide Crisis Helpline:
Phone: 988 (call or text)

 

On This Page
Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of mental health resources.

CNO Resources 
Nurse-Specific Programs and Self-Care
Inclusive and Culturally Safe Care
Ongoing Mental Health Support
Mental Health in the Workplace
Government Resources



 

CNO Resources

 

A closeup of a nurse reaching for an office phone.
Nurse-Specific Programs and
Self-Care

 

Nurses' Health Program

Voluntary program designed to encourage nurses to seek treatment for substance use and/or mental health disorders that may affect their ability to practice nursing safely.

Ontario Nurses’ Association resources

Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario

A closeup of two Black individuals sitting closely and holding hands.
Inclusive and Culturally Safe Care 

 

National Association of Friendship Centres 

Friendship Centres offer holistic wrap-around support including mental health programs alongside broader kinship and community services. Friendship Centres can help connect you with Elders and other supportive services.

Hope for Wellness Helpline 
Available for Indigenous Peoples across Canada in in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut, English and French.
Phone: 1 855 242-3310

Black Health Alliance
The Black Health Alliance is a community-led registered charity working to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada.
E-mail: info@blackhealthalliance.ca

Community Health Centres 
Community Health Centres (CHCs) are not-for-profit community governed organizations with a primary focus on improving the health and well-being of populations who have traditionally faced barriers accessing health services, including:

  • those living on low income
  • new immigrants
  • those with complex mental health issues
  • individuals who do not have health insurance

 

 

A closeup of a one-on-one in-person counselling session.
Ongoing Mental Health Support

 

ConnexOntario: 1 866 531-2600  

Free and confidential health services information and system navigation for people experiencing problems with mental health, addiction and/or problem gambling. Services available through phone, online chat, or email. Text messaging also available by texting “CONNEX” to 247247.

211 Ontario: call 2-1-1, toll-free 1 877 330-3213 
Information and referral for community, government, social and health services, including mental health resources across Ontario.

Mental Health and Addictions Self-Referral Supports for Healthcare Professionals
Connecting Ontario health care professionals to mental health and addiction resource supports to maintain their mental health and wellness while coping with a wide array of stressors, including the pandemic or other crises. 

Services include access to resources, cognitive behavioural therapy/psychotherapy as well as psychiatric services. These services span across five Ontario hospitals and are available by self-referral for health-care workers working in Ontario. 

Each hospital has its own referral form:

An East Asian male nurse wearing scrubs in a hospital corridor holding paperwork and looking up in deep thought.

Mental Health in the Workplace

 

A South Asian nurse wearing casual clothes using a laptop at home with a smile on her face.
Government Resources