Crisis Resources & Emergency Support - Immediate Help for Addiction & Mental Health | ART
Crisis Line

Crisis Resources & Emergency Support

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, experiencing thoughts of suicide, or facing an addiction emergency, help is available right now. You are not alone.

Immediate Crisis Support Available Now

If you're experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis, these resources provide immediate professional support

ART 24/7 Crisis Line

1-855-787-2424

Available: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Services: Crisis counseling, same-day admission, safety planning, family support

Languages: English, French, Translation services available

Call ART Crisis Line Now

Canada Suicide Prevention Service

988

Available: 24/7 nationwide crisis support

Services: Suicide prevention counseling, emotional support, safety planning

Languages: English, French

Call 988 Now

Emergency Medical Services

911

When to call: Overdose, severe withdrawal, medical emergency, immediate danger

Services: Emergency medical response, hospital transport, life-saving intervention

Available: Immediate response nationwide

Call 911 for Emergency
24/7 Crisis Response Team
Professional Support Available Every Hour

Recognizing Crisis Warning Signs

Learn to identify when immediate professional help is needed for yourself or a loved one

Addiction Crisis Warning Signs

  • Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
  • Overdose or suspected overdose
  • Severe withdrawal symptoms (tremors, hallucinations, seizures)
  • Complete inability to stop using despite serious consequences
  • Extreme paranoia or psychotic episodes
  • Violent or aggressive behavior
  • Severe depression or hopelessness
  • Threatening to hurt themselves or others
  • Giving away personal belongings
  • Sudden calmness after period of depression
  • If you observe any of these signs, seek immediate professional help. Do not wait.

    Ontario Crisis Resources

    Local and provincial support services for mental health and addiction emergencies

    ConnexOntario

    1-866-531-2600

    Free, confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol, drugs, mental health, or gambling.

    Call ConnexOntario

    Good2Talk

    1-866-925-5454

    Confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario. Professional counseling, information, and referrals.

    Call Good2Talk

    Kids Help Phone

    1-800-668-6868

    Free, anonymous, and confidential support for young people under 30. Available by phone, text, and online chat.

    Call Kids Help Phone

    Toronto Distress Centre

    416-408-4357

    24/7 crisis support for Toronto area residents. Emotional support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention.

    Call Distress Centre

    Gerstein Crisis Centre

    416-929-5200

    Toronto's oldest crisis centre providing mobile crisis response, crisis beds, and 24/7 telephone support.

    Call Gerstein Centre

    Assaulted Women's Helpline

    1-866-863-0511

    Crisis support for women experiencing abuse, including substance abuse. Multilingual support available.

    Call Women's Helpline
    Licensed Crisis Professionals
    Trained in Addiction & Mental Health Crisis Intervention

    Creating Your Crisis Safety Plan

    A safety plan can help you cope with suicidal thoughts and urges in a healthy way

    Personal Safety Plan Steps

    1

    Recognize Warning Signs

    Identify thoughts, feelings, situations, or behaviors that indicate a crisis might be developing. Write these down and share with trusted people.

    2

    Internal Coping Strategies

    List things you can do on your own to help yourself cope without contacting others (deep breathing, listening to music, physical exercise).

    3

    People for Distraction

    Identify family members or friends you can reach out to for support and distraction during difficult times.

    4

    People for Help

    List family members or friends who you can talk to about your crisis and who can help you resolve the situation.

    5

    Professional Contacts

    Keep contact information for mental health professionals, addiction counselors, and crisis services easily accessible.

    6

    Remove Lethal Means

    Identify ways to limit access to lethal means during a crisis (medications, weapons, substances). Ask others to help secure these items.

    Overdose Prevention & Emergency Response

    Critical information that can save lives during an overdose emergency

    🚨 Overdose Emergency Signs

    • Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
    • Slow, shallow, or absent breathing
    • Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
    • Cold, clammy skin
    • Weak pulse or no pulse
    • Gurgling or choking sounds
    • Cannot be awakened with loud noises

    Call 911 immediately if you suspect an overdose

    ⚡ Immediate Actions to Take

    • Call 911 - State "overdose emergency"
    • Administer naloxone if available
    • Check breathing - Give rescue breathing if needed
    • Recovery position - Turn on side to prevent choking
    • Stay with person until help arrives
    • Don't give substances to "wake them up"
    Call 911 for Overdose

    🛡️ Naloxone (Narcan) Information

    What it is: Life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses

    How to get it: Available free at pharmacies, health units, and community organizations

    How to use it: Spray in nose or inject into muscle - training available

    Free Naloxone Training Find Naloxone Near You

    Support for Families in Crisis

    When a loved one is in crisis, families need specialized support and guidance

    Family Crisis Line

    1-855-787-2424

    Specialized support for families dealing with addiction emergencies. Crisis counseling, intervention planning, and immediate guidance.

    Call Family Crisis Line

    Emergency Intervention

    Professional intervention specialists available 24/7 to help motivate a loved one to accept treatment during crisis situations.

    Request Emergency Intervention

    Al-Anon Crisis Support

    1-888-425-2666

    Support groups and resources for families and friends of people with alcohol problems. Online meetings available.

    Call Al-Anon

    Family Crisis Support Available 24/7

    You don't have to face this alone. Our family crisis specialists understand the unique challenges families face during addiction emergencies.

    Call Family Crisis Line: 1-855-787-2424
    PHIPHA Compliant
    Your Crisis Calls are Confidential & Protected

    Additional Crisis & Support Resources

    Comprehensive list of crisis support services for specific populations and situations

    LGBT Youth Line

    1-800-268-9688

    Crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth dealing with addiction, mental health, and identity issues.

    Indigenous Wellness Line

    1-855-242-3310

    Culturally appropriate crisis support for Indigenous people across Canada.

    Multilingual Crisis Line

    416-408-4357

    Crisis support available in multiple languages for newcomers and diverse communities.

    Student Crisis Support

    1-866-925-5454

    Specialized crisis support for college and university students across Ontario.

    Employee Assistance Programs

    Many employers offer 24/7 crisis support through EAP services. Check with your HR department for access information.

    Learn About EAP Services

    Crisis Text Line

    Text HOME to 686868

    Free, 24/7 crisis support via text message. Available across Canada in English and French.

    Don't Wait - Get Help Now

    If you're in crisis, every moment matters. Professional help is available right now, 24 hours a day.

    🚨 Medical Emergency

    911

    Overdose, severe withdrawal, immediate danger

    💜 Suicide Prevention

    988

    Thoughts of suicide, self-harm, hopelessness

    🏥 ART Crisis Line

    1-855-787-2424

    Addiction crisis, same-day admission, family support

    Remember: Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. You deserve support and recovery is possible.