Covid-19 Support for Students and Families - FAQ
My child is very worried about the impact of COVID-19 in our
community. What can I do to help my child? What mental health supports are
available to me and my child/teen?
School Mental Health Ontario has shared resources online
that we can use to support student mental health during this challenging time.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has also shared information
on how to talk to children and adolescents about COVID-19. Mental health
resources for adults are also available on the CAMH website.
CAMH_COVID19_infosheet-talking_to_kids pdf-1.pdf
Support is available in Simcoe County.
24-hour Simcoe County mental health crisis line: 1-888-893-8333 or 705-728-5044
Canadian Mental Health Association: 1-800-461-4319
Kids Help Phone: CHAT: https://kidshelpphone.ca/
TEXT: Text CONNECT to 686868
Telephone: 1-800-668-6868
Kinark: 1-888-454-6275
Mobile Crisis Line: 1-888-893-8333 or 1-855-310 COPE (2673)
Newpath: 705-725-7656 or 1-866-566-7656 -- Available via telephone and a counsellor will contact you to book an appointment by telephone. If the student is a current client, they can call their counsellor to book their next appointment.
Access the 211 directory by phone (dial 2-1-1) or at www.211ontario.ca/ for information on community resources related to a specific concern
Mental Health Resources
Services and supports have been approved for First Nations children
under Jordan's Principle – A Child-First Initiative. These include
mental health supports, medical equipment, speech therapy, educational
supports, and more.


The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's Sexual Health Clinic, is located at Unit 120,
169 Front Street South (Orillia Common Roof building).
- Clinics
are by appointment
on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
For more
information or to book an appointment call Health Connection Monday to Friday,
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-705-721-7520 or toll free at 1-877-721-7520.
Mind Your Mind: This is a place for youth and emerging adults to access information, resources and tools during tough times. Help yourself. Help each other.
Do It for Daron: D.I.F.D. is a youth-driven initiative focused on raising awareness and inspiring conversations about youth mental health. Created by friends and family of Daron Richardson, who lost her life to suicide at the young age of 14, D.I.F.D. is inspired by hope for a future where young people will reach out for help without fear or shame. D.I.F.D. supports programs and initiatives aimed at transforming youth mental health.
Add the Healthy Minds App to your phone! Life as a student can be stressful – assignments, part-time jobs, sports, clubs, relationships, family responsibilities. In fact, during your years as a student, you will face some of the most intense pressures of any point in your life. Stress can take a toll on your mind, weighing you down and even making you ill, so it’s important to take action to stay healthy. That’s what HealthyMinds is all about.
HealthyMinds is a problem-solving tool to help deal with emotions and cope with the stresses you encounter both on and off campus. The goal: Keeping your mind healthy.
Kids Help Phone: If you need help right now and want to speak to a counsellor, call 1-800-668-6868.
Physical Health Resources
Healthy Smiles Ontario: Healthy Smiles Ontario is a no-cost dental program for children 17 and under who do not have access to any dental coverage and who the program’s eligibility requirements.
Some Useful Telephone Numbers
Dial 211 (or visit www.211ontario.ca) – ‘When you don’t know where to turn’ – Connects you with Social, Health & Community Services
Mental Health:
Mental Health Crisis Line: 705-728-5044 or 1-888-893-8333
Community Mental Health Service: 705-327-9122
Distress Line Telecare: 705-325-9534
Job Search / Welfare:
Welfare Assistance / Ontario Works: 705-722-3132
Job Connect (for people 16 – 24 years old): 705-329-3102
Orillia Employment Resource Centre: 705-325-9299
Emergency Shelter / Food:
Information Orillia Housing & Resource Centre: 705-325-3883
The Sharing Place (Orillia’s Food Bank): 705-327-4273
Soup Kitchen / Emergency Shelter for Men: 705-329-2424
Salvation Army Family Services: 705-326-3472
Domestic / Sexual Assault:
Green Haven Shelter: 705-327-7319
Sexual Assault / Domestic Assault Care Centre: 705-327-9155
Health-Related:
Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000
Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital: 705-325-2201
After Hours Medical Clinic (210 Memorial Avenue): 705-327-0578
Education:
The Learning Centre – Orillia Campus: 705-325-9279
Orillia Alternative School (OAP): 705-325-4911
LEAP (Teen Parent Education): 705-722-3132
Miscellaneous:
Community Legal Clinic (Free Advice): 705-326-6444
Youth Resource & Drop-In Centre: 705-325-8082
THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH AT OSS
Check out our video on mental health....tap on the link below!
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