Crisis Support
Find 24/7 crisis support for addiction and mental health in Canada. Helplines, text lines, and emergency resources by province — immediate help is available right now.
Medical disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about addiction treatment.
Crisis Support for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada
If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis — experiencing a mental health emergency, suicidal thoughts, or a drug overdose — help is available right now. You do not have to face this alone.
Immediate Crisis Lines
- Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7, all provinces)
- Talk Suicide Canada (text): Text 45645 (available 4pm–midnight ET)
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (youth under 20, 24/7)
- Hope for Wellness Helpline (Indigenous): 1-855-242-3310 (24/7, available in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut)
- Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366 (staffed by trans people)
- Emergency: 911
Overdose Emergency Response
If someone is unresponsive, not breathing normally, or you suspect an overdose: call 911 immediately. If you have naloxone (Narcan), administer it now — naloxone reverses opioid overdoses and is available free at most pharmacies across Canada without a prescription. Stay with the person until emergency services arrive. Good Samaritan laws in Canada protect you from drug possession charges when you call 911 for an overdose.
Where to Get Naloxone
Naloxone is available free of charge at most pharmacies in Canada without a prescription. Many community health centres, harm reduction programs, and needle exchanges also distribute naloxone kits at no cost. Ask your pharmacist for a naloxone kit and training — it takes two minutes to learn and can save a life.
Walk-In and Emergency Addiction Services
- Hospital emergency departments — can initiate medical detox immediately; no referral or appointment needed
- Community health centres — many offer walk-in addiction counselling with same-day access
- Opioid treatment clinics — can prescribe buprenorphine or methadone quickly to stabilize someone in crisis
- Supervised consumption sites — available in several Canadian cities; provide a safe space and immediate medical response
If Someone Refuses Help
You cannot force someone to accept help, but you can take steps to keep them safer. Remove substances and paraphernalia from your home if possible. Provide information about harm reduction: naloxone, not using alone, using less. Continue expressing care without enabling the addiction. Contact Al-Anon or Nar-Anon for support for yourself. In extreme cases where someone is a danger to themselves or others, you can contact a crisis team or speak to your doctor about involuntary assessment options in your province.
After the Crisis: Next Steps
A crisis moment is often an opening — a time when someone is most ready to accept help. Use it. Have information on treatment ready: contact numbers, centre names, what to expect. Offer to make the call with them. Go to the assessment together. The days immediately following a crisis are the highest-readiness window for entering treatment.
Provincial Crisis and Addiction Lines
- Alberta: 1-866-332-2322 (Alberta Health Services)
- British Columbia: 1-800-663-1441 (BC Mental Health and Substance Use)
- Manitoba: 1-877-435-7688
- Ontario: 1-866-531-2600 (ConnexOntario)
- Quebec: 1-800-265-2626 (Drogue, aide et référence)
- All provinces: 211 (community services directory)
Last reviewed
April 19, 2026