Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. When you feel well mentally, it’s easier to cope with challenges and stay resilient. While Grand Erie Public Health does not directly provide treatment or diagnoses for mental health concerns, we promote services and resources available in the region.
Simple actions, like spending time outdoors, doing an activity you enjoy, laughing, or taking breaks from screens, can help support your mental well-being.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's okay to ask for help. You're not alone. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, you can call or text 9-8-8 for free, 24/7, confidential support.
Mental health topics
Coping with stress
Stress is your body’s natural reaction to life’s demands. It can come from positive changes, like getting married, having a baby, or moving into a new home, or from challenges such as illness or financial concerns.
When you’re stressed, your body goes into “fight, flight, or freeze” mode. You may notice a racing heart rate, tense muscles, or an upset stomach.
While some stress is normal, ongoing stress can affect you health and lead to issues like digestive problems, a weaker immune system, high blood pressure, weight changes, muscle pain, or feeling sad/depressed.
Managing stress by staying active, resting, talking to someone you trust, or taking deep breaths can help protect your overall well-being.
Download our resources:
Disordered eating
| Canped – Understanding Eating Disorders in Youth | An Ontario regional eating disorder program. The program provides a free online multi-module video-based learning program: “Understanding Eating Disorders in Youth for parents and care providers.” | www.canped.ca |
| National Eating Disorder Information Center (NEDIC) | NEDIC is a Canadian organization providing free online information, referrals, and supports to people in Canada affected by eating disorders. | www.nedic.ca |
| National Initiative for Eating Disorders (NIED) | NIED is a Canadian organization providing support to individuals with an eating disorder and their caregivers by developing and sharing educational resources. | www.nied.ca |
| Ontario Dietitians in Public Health (ODPH) | The ODPH is the independent and official voice of Registered Dietitians working in public health. It provides free resources. | www.odph.ca |
| Ellyn Satter Institute | Ellyn Satter is an internationally recognized authority on eating and feeding. She created the Satter Feeding Dynamics Model and the Satter Eating Competence Model. Satter is active in research and testing the models, as well as helping professionals and parents apply them. | Eat and feed with joy (ellynsatterinstitute.org) |
| Ontario Community Outreach Program for Eating Disorders | A new layer of service provision is being added to Ontario’s existing system of eating disorder care. With funding from the Ministry of Health, Eating Disorders: Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention (ED: PPEI) will build local capacity for the delivery of evidence-based promotion, prevention, and early intervention for eating disorders. | ED-PPEI (ocoped.ca) |
| Ministry of Health Ontario – Guide Booklet | Eating Disorders: A guide for caregivers of people with an eating disorder (hqontario.ca) | PDF resource to find and access providers and services for eating disorders in Ontario. |
Men's mental health
Resources
| Heads Up Guys | Heads Up Guys provides resources on coping skills and mental health challenges from a male perspective, exploring how food, social connections, physical activity, and sleep influence mental well-being. | https://headsupguys.org/ |
| Man Therapy | Man Therapy explores various health topics like depression, anxiety, grief, and relationships through a male-focused lens. Their resources include practical tools and a self-assessment designed to support men in understanding and addressing their mental health needs. | https://mantherapy.org/ |
| Buddy Up | Buddy Up emphasizes the importance of noticing changes in a friend’s behavior as warning signs of distress, encouraging open conversations in comfortable settings, and maintaining a supportive role without acting as a counselor, while also emphasizing the need for ongoing check-ins and listening without judgment. | https://www.buddyup.ca/ |
| Movember | Movember is a men’s health movement, and its mental health page offers a range of resources to support men’s mental well-being. | https://ca.movember.com/mens-health/mental-health |
Postpartum mental health
Postpartum depression
After having a baby, it’s common to go through many emotions, but some parents experience more serious changes. This is called postpartum depression, and it affects about 1 in 5 mothers.
If you are experiencing this, know that:
- You are not alone
- It is not your fault
- There is hope and help available
Reach out to one of the community supports listed if you are worried about yourself or someone you care about.
Pay attention to signs that last two weeks or longer, such as:
- Feeling very tired or unable to sleep
- Having little or no appetite
- Feeling angry, irritable, or overwhelmed
- Struggling to enjoy life or bond with your baby
- Experiencing mood swings, guilt, or shame
- Pulling away from family and friends
- Having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Getting help early makes a big difference. Support is available, and you don’t have to go through this alone.
Resources
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network: Provides free resources, support services, and information for coping with loss. You are not alone.
- Norfolk Prenatal & Newborn Health Program: 519-582-2323 ext. 282
- Women’s Health Concerns Clinic, Hamilton: 905-522-1155 ext. 33979
- Your health care provider: (family physician, midwife, nurse, OB/GYN, psychiatrist, private therapist)
- CAST (Crisis Assessment and Support Team): 1-866-487-2278 (24 hrs)
- Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
- Haldimand-Norfolk Branch: 1-888-750-7778
- Brantford-Brant Branch: 519-752-2998
- Any hospital: By phone or in-person at the Emergency Department
Local resources
Local Resources – City of Brantford & County of Brant
| Organization | Description | Contact Information |
| A Friendly Voice | A program for seniors who may be feeling lonely or isolated. Note: the program is not a counselling service, crisis line, or referral service. | PH: 1-855-892-9992 |
| Contact Brant 643 Park Road North, Brantford, ON, N3T 5L8 | Contact Brant is the first place to contact to get services for children and youth with emotional, behavioural or developmental concerns. We help you navigate and connect to community services, understand available resources and receive coordinated supports. | PH: 519-758-8228 Toll Free:1-877-613-3422 Email: Information@contactbrant.net Website: www.contactbrant.net |
| Canadian Mental Health Association 44 King Street, Suite 203 Brantford, ON N3T 3C7 | A local agency targeted at adults with mental illness and their families. Provides case management, supported housing, court support & diversion, social/recreational programs, family education and support, mental health promotion and prevention. | PH: (519) 752-2998 Email: mail@cmhabrant.on.ca Website: www.bhn.cmha.ca |
| SOAR Community Services P.O. Box 638133 Elgin Street, Brantford, ON, N3T 5P9 | A local agency that provides 24//7 crises response and free counselling to clients with addictions and related mental health concerns. | PH: 519-759-8830 Email: info@soarcs.ca Website: https://www.soarcs.ca |
| Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services 643 Park Road North,Brantford, ON, N3T 5L8 | A local agency that provides mental health direct services and programs to families of children up to age 18 years. | PH: (519) 751-0671 Email: general@woodview.ca Website: www.woodview.ca |
Local Resources – Haldimand-Norfolk
| Organization | Description | Contact Information |
| Canadian Mental Health Association – Brant Haldimand Norfolk | Mental health organization providing community-based services and housing supports Promotes mental health through outreach, social action, advocacy, education, and research | Haldimand-Norfolk: 1-866-487-2278 reception@cmhabhn.ca http://cmha.ca/news/branches/brant-haldimand-norfolk-branch-administrative-office/ |
| Haldimand-Norfolk REACH | Support services for children and youth and their families who are experiencing mental health issues Areas of focus include anxiety, depression, and problems with temper Services offered in home, at main or satellite offices, or at other community spaces | 519-587-2441 or 1-800-265-8087 ext. 350 info@hnreach.ca http://www.hnreach.on.ca/services/children-youth-families/mental-health-services-0-to-18/ |
| South Coast Wellness – Addiction and Mental Health Services | Community-based mental health and addictions services Services include advocacy, assessment, case management, consultation, counselling, and support Individual and group counselling available | 519-587-4658 or 1-877-909-4357 http://www.southcoastwellness.org/ |
Local Resources – Indigenous Resources
| Organization | Description | Contact Information |
| Hope for Wellness Helpline | Mental health counselling and crisis support for Indigenous peoples across Canada. | PH: 1-855-242-3310 |
| Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Social and Health Services | Culturally appropriate services for Indigenous peoples in need of mental health supports Individual, family, and group counselling Mental health workshops and information sessions | 905-768-1181 ext. 224 sh.reception@mncfn.ca http://www.mncfn.ca/shs/mental-health-unit |
| Gihekdagye (BRISC) Friendship Centre | Provides holistic culturally sensitive support for Urban Indigenous Community in Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties. They offer crisis intervention, peer support, and traditional support. | 519-304-7400 Info@briscfc.org https://briscfc.org/ |
| Six Nations Mental Health & Addictions Services | Provide various mental health and addiction services for members and residents of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Services include counselling, psychiatric assessment, case management, support groups, and other supportive programming. | 519-445-2143 https://www.snhs.ca/mental-wellness/mental-health-and-addictions-services/ health@sixnations.ca |
Provincial and national resources
| Organization | Description | Website |
| 9-8-8 National Suicide Crisis Helpline | The Government of Canada and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health announced the launch of the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline across the country. This easy-to-remember number will connect anyone in Canada to free 24/7 suicide prevention support by phone calls and text. | www.988.ca |
| Center for Addictions and Mental Health | CAMH is a national organization dedicated to providing educational resources and services for treatment of addictions and related mental health issues. | www.camh.ca |
| Health Canada Mental Health | Health Canada is a federal government institution responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health. Its website provides access to free education resources, research, statistics, and directory of crises contact information in Canada. | https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/about-mental-health.html |
Youth mental health resources
PDF resources
- Coping with Stress for Youth (PDF)
- Positive Thinking for Youth Handout (PDF)
- Mindfulness for Youth Handout (PDF)
Additional resources
| Name of Service | Description | Contact |
| Kids Help Phone | A 24/7 help line for children and youth ages 5-25 and younger, providing counselling and information referrals for mental health, addictions, and well-being. | Call: 1-800-668-6868 to speak with a professional counsellor Text: CONNECT to 686868 to connect with a trained, volunteer Crisis Responder. Can also be accessed virtually here. |
| Wellness & Emotional Support for Youth Online | Free E-Counselling for Youth. | Homepage – WES For Youth Online |
| One Stop Talk | Counselling for Youth (18 and under) | One Stop Talk |