I am in distress
Emergency
If you are experiencing or witnessing:
- Immediate suicide plan or attempt.
- Feeling unsafe due to an immediate threat or escalation in aggressive behaviour.
- Safety risks related to substance use.
Suggested Actions:
- Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department
- Call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline) 24/7
- On campus: 905.721.8668 ext. 2400 (Campus Security) 24/7
If you are experiencing a mental health or other crisis on campus, call Campus Security at 905.721.8668 ext. 2400 or 905.721.3211. If you are not on campus, call 911 if you need immediate help.
The community resources listed below can be reached 24/7. They provide a range of services including supportive listening and crisis/suicide intervention, community crisis response, and short-term crisis beds.
All services are free and confidential.
Durham Region
| Suicide Crisis Line: 24/7 Canada wide suicide crisis helpline. Call or Text is available. | 9-8-8 |
| Distress Centre Durham: Telephone crisis support, Community Contact Call-Out Program, Resource Centre, and Suicide Survivor Support Groups | 905.430.0483 1.800.430.0688 |
| Durham Mental Health Services: Offers various crisis supports to individuals experience a personal/situational crisis, short-term crisis beds, and community visits by a mobile crisis team | 905.666.0483 1.800.742.1890 |
| Durham Rape Crisis Centre: Offers confidential and non-judgemental support and information to individuals who have experienced any forms of sexual violence in their lives | 905.668.9200 |
| Lakeridge Health Crisis Intervention Team: Available by checking in with the Emergency Department Triage Nurse to see a member of the team | 905.433.4384 |
| Ontario Shores Crisis Line | 1.800.263.2679 |
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
| Distress Centre Toronto: Telephone crisis support and intervention | 905.430.0483 1.800.430.0688 |
| Gerstein Crisis Centre: A 24-hour community-based mental health crisis service providing telephone support, mobile crisis teams, and short-term residential crisis beds | 905.666.0483 1.800.742.1890 |
| Peel Crisis Services and COAST: Offers 24-hour crisis intervention services (phone and outreach) to people with mental illnesses in Mississauga and Brampton | 905.278.9036 |
| Scarborough Hospital Mobile Crisis: Provides support and community to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in Scarborough and East York | 416.495.2891 |
| St. Michael's Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Services: Provides crisis management and psychiatric assessment and treatment | 416.864.5094 |
| Toronto Rape Crisis Centre: Offers crisis intervention/support service to anyone who has experienced sexual violence/harassment, assault/incest survivors, family/friends of victims | 416.597.8808 |
| York Support Services Network Crisis Line: Supports individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in York Region and North York | 905.898.6455 1.855.310.2673 |
Mental Health
Student Mental Health Services has a Stepped Care model offering intake appointments, distress support, peer mentorship and counselling. Distress can include thoughts of suicide and/or self-harm. It can also be about recent experiences of abuse, harrassment and gender-based sexual violence.
Student Mental Health Services is not an emergency 24/7 crisis line. We'd like to support you and will respond to appointment requests within one to three days.
| North Oshawa campus location | Downtown Oshawa campus location | |
| Student Mental Health Services | 905.721.3392 studentlifeline@ontariotechu.ca Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
|
| Shawenjigewining Hall, Room 320 |
Charles Hall, Room 218 |
|
Book a mental health appointment
Additional campus resources
Indigenous Education and Cultural Services
Indigenous Education and Cultural Services offer a home away from home for Indigenous students and space for students to connect with Indigenous culture and resources. The Indigenous Cultural Advisor is available for traditional counselling supports virtually or by phone. Contact Indigenous@ontariotechu.ca to make an appointment.
Sexual Violence Support and Education
For students who have experienced sexual violence or domestic violence, services are available to support you. Through these services, you will be heard, believed and assisted in going through the options that are available to you. As a discloser, you will be in charge of decisions regarding how you want to address your concerns and will be empowered and supported in any decisions you make. Visit the Sexual Violence Support and Education page for more information, resources and to access supports.
Academic
Is your distress related to your academic performance? Consider meeting with your academic advisor.
If you need accommodations for a short- or long-term disability, Student Accessibility Services can help.
Resources are also available through the Student Learning Support.
Self-help
We have curated a list of self-help resources for your needs.
Download A PDF OF the resource flowchart for students in distress
If you are a staff or faculty member supporting a student in distress, visit the faculty and staff page for resources.
Good2Talk
Good2Talk is a free, confidential and anonymous helpline providing professional counselling, information and referrals for mental health, addictions and wellbeing to post-secondary students in Ontario, 24/7/365. They provide support via phone or text message.