If this is an emergency, if you or someone you know is having thoughts about hurting themselves or someone else, call 911, or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
If your child needs to speak to someone right away about a situation that is frightening or dangerous, they can call Kids Help Phone at
1-800-668-6868. Click here to find other crisis lines.
AboutKidsHealth Mental Health Learning Hub
This hub includes resources for parents on how to support your child’s mental health and general well-being through physical activity, sleep and nutrition. It also provides information on the signs, symptoms and treatments of different mental health conditions, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, behavioural disorders, anorexia nervosa and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Parenting Resources: Groups and Support
These community resources are provided for informational and reference purposes only. The resource descriptions are provided by the listed organizations. GH-CCMH does not evaluate the resources listed on these sites.
Family and Caregiver Support (from Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario branch)
Learn about family associations and support services for families and caregivers of children and youth experiencing mental health issues.
The Family Care Centre (from Children’s Mental Health Ontario and Parents for Children’s Mental Health)
The Family Care Centre is a resource hub for parents and caregivers of children and youth with mental illness. We know how hard it is for families who are navigating the mental health system while supporting their children. We are sharing only trusted, evidence-based information to help parents find much-needed support.
Ontario Early Years Centre
EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer free, high-quality programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old. You can learn and play with your child, meet people and get advice from early childhood professionals.
Note: SickKids CCMH runs an EarlyON program at our Sheppard site.
Parent & Caregiver Resources (from Children’s Mental Health Ontario and Parents for Children’s Mental Health)
It can be difficult to distinguish between ‘normal’ problems that all children and adolescents experience from time to time, and behaviour that may be indicative of a mental health disorder. Our goal is to share useful information to help you learn more about parenting and mental health issues.
Parenting Groups – Home and Community Care Support Services Central
Parenting groups bring together parents who wish to share common problems, concerns or ideas about parenting and child-rearing.
Parenting Survival Guide by Ann Douglas (from Children’s Mental Health Ontario and Parents for Children’s Mental Health)
Parenting kids is tough, but it is even more difficult when your child is struggling with mental illness.
Resources for parents (from YouthLink)
Resources for you as a parent to find the necessary information, programs, and services beyond YouthLink that you and your family may need. Having this information in one place will make your search easier.
Toronto Support for Parents
In partnership with Child Development Institute and Strides Toronto Lead Agency, Toronto parents of children to age 25 facing mental health challenges can now join us for an 8-week online Parent Support Group, with additional support from our Parents’ Helpline.
Want to learn more about mental health? Visit Resources on Children’s Mental Health in About Us.