A Mental Health Crisis Line for children and youth, their parents, caregivers and service providers officially launched on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. The Crisis Line, which is accessed through a single toll-free number, 1.844.287.9072, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across Muskoka, Nipissing and Parry Sound. It offers increased accessibility and support capacity for children and youth who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
“If a child or youth is in need of help and doesn’t know where to turn, we hope they will contact the Mental Health Crisis Line,” said Michelle Dermenjian, Director of Child and Youth Services at Hands TheFamilyHelpNetwork.ca (Hands). “The individuals who answer the calls are trained to listen and make those crucial connections to the appropriate mental health supports.”
The Mental Health Crisis Line is a result of a Crisis Service review with youth and families, by Hands as Lead Agency for Child and Youth Mental Health for the service area of Muskoka, Nipissing and Parry Sound.
Jeffrey Hawkins, Executive Director at Hands stated that “the launch of this service reflects a collaborative, client-focused effort between Hands as the Lead Agency and our core child and youth mental health providers in the service area: Hands, Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions and Community Counselling Centre of Nipissing.”
Who can call the Mental Health Crisis Line?
- Children and youth across Muskoka, Nipissing and Parry Sound
- Parents or caregivers
- Service providers
Additional information on the Mental Health Crisis Line is available online at www.SomewhereToTurn.ca.