These agencies support 2SLGBTQI+ individuals seeking help for mental health and addictions…
By Jumol Royes
Mental health issues and substance use affect us all, either through our own experience or through the experiences of family and friends.
According to data recently released by Statistics Canada, three out of 10 2SLGBTQI+ people consider their mental health to be fair or poor (compared with less than one in 10 non-2SLGBTQI+ individuals). The website for the Ontario division of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) states there is evidence that 2SLGBTQI+ individuals are also at increased risk for substance use issues.
Campaigns like Bell Let’s Talk Day, promoting mental health awareness, acceptance and action, and initiatives like Dry February that challenge Canadians to go alcohol-free during the month of February, are centring conversations around mental health and substance use and causing more people to explore options for treatment and support.
Get to know some of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ mental health and substance use services below.
Across Boundaries
(Toronto, ON)
What services do they provide: Equitable, inclusive and holistic mental health and addiction services, including adult mental Health case management, 2SLGBTQI+ case management, psychiatric consultation, addictions and wellness services, youth case management, a mental health and justice initiative, housing first case management and family support.
Who they serve: Racialized people with mental health and addiction issues throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Services are available in Caribbean dialects, African languages (Shona, Amharic, Harare, Xhosa, Tsonga, Afrikaans, Swahili, Somali and Twi), Central Asian languages (Dari, Pashto and Farsi/Persian), South Asian languages (Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali) and South-East Asian languages (Mandarin).
How to access services: Call 416-787-3007.
The Centre for Mental Health and Addiction (CAMH)
(Toronto, ON)
What services do they provide: A world-leading research centre and Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital offering clinical care services. Services include assessments and brief interventions, inpatient programs, day hospital services, continuing care, outpatient services, family support and Rainbow Services (2SLGBTQI+).
Who they serve: Patients of all ages and their families, including 2SLGBTQI+ people.
How to access services: Call 416-535-8501 or 1-800-463-2338.
Family Services Ottawa
(Ottawa, ON)
What services do they provide: The 2SLGBTQI+ Around the Rainbow program provides education, counselling and support services through a 2SLGBTQI+ family art and play group, a parent and caregiver group for parents and caregivers of transgender, non-binary and gender diverse children, youth and young adults, a group for trans, non-binary and questioning youth ages 11-17 and 2SLGBTQI+ counselling.
Who they serve: 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and families in the Ottawa region.
How to access services: Call 613-725-3601.
OUTSaskatoon
(Saskatoon, SK)
What services do they provide: Saskatoon’s 2SLGBTQI+ community centre and service provider offering free short-term counselling for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and their families, peer support, a sexual health clinic through Saskatoon Sexual Health and a long-term home for 2SLGBTQI+ youth ages 16-21 called Pride Home.
Who they serve: 2SLGBTQI+ community members in the Saskatoon area, as well as their family and friends.
How to access services: Call 306-665-1224 or 833-622-7233
Sunshine House
(Winnipeg, MB)
What services do they provide: A community drop-in and resource centre in Winnipeg that prioritizes harm reduction and social inclusion. Services include MOPS (Mobile Overdose Prevention Site offering harm reduction supplies, Narcan/naloxone, coffee, water and snacks and referrals to other community resources), a twice-weekly drop-in program, Like That, a program for people exploring gender and/or sexual identity, Gizhiwenimin, a program that helps 2SLGBTQI+ individuals navigate refugee claims, immigration and resettlement and Sunday brunch.
Who they serve: Individuals can come as they are and are not expected to be sober.
How to access services: Call 204-783-8565.
For more information about 2SLGBTQI+ addiction and mental health service providers, and other 2SLGBTQI+ programs, services and supports, visit the IN Directory, Canada’s national 2SLGBTQI+ community resource directory: inmagazine.ca/directory.
JUMOL ROYES is IN Magazine’s director of communications and community engagement, an Ottawa-based poet and storyteller and glass-half-full kinda guy. He writes about compassion, community, identity and belonging. His guilty pleasure is watching the Real Housewives. Follow him on Instagram @jumolroyes.
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