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Distress and Crisis Ontario
Distress and Crisis Ontario (DCO) is an administrative membership association that supports advocacy, networking, and training for Distress Centres (DCs) across Ontario. DCs offer instant support and a variety of services to their communities and are a place where you can find a listening ear for anyone who is feeling lonely, depressed, is struggling with suicidal ideation, or who is otherwise in need of support. Most centres operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and may include suicide survivor programs, LGBTQ+ friendly services, support services for youth, telephone call-out programs for seniors and other vulnerable populations, mental health crisis lines, and more. Visit our locations page to find a centre near you.
Thank you to our major funder and supporter
Members learning platform
Training Videos
Welcome to Distress and Crisis Ontario
If you are in distress, crisis, or are experiencing suicidal ideation:
ONTX is here to help and support you
For support over text, text SUPPORT to 258258
Available from 2PM – 2AM daily, standard text messaging rates apply
or, click below to
Fundraisers, news, and events
DCO’s Annual General Meeting 2021
To view our invitation and register for our 2020-21 Annual General Meeting, please click here.
Resources for Supporting Indigenous Peoples
Halton Community Services Directory shared this helpful information on resources in the area for Indigenous individuals who may be seeking support at any time, but especially in light of recent events. Similarly, Guelph Women in Crisis shared these resources...
Honouring the 215 Indigenous Children Found Buried
Distress and Crisis Ontario stand with our Indigenous brothers and sisters to denounce the State and Church sanctioned abduction of their children. We hear their justified anger that must be turned into action for healing. The National Centre for Truth and...
Volunteer Committee
We will be holding our first virtual meeting as a Volunteer Committee this January 2021 in order to explore new ways to better support volunteers within our member DCs. We will be discussing volunteer burnout and self-care from a structural standpoint and hope to...
Bell Let’s Talk Day and Self-Care
Bell Let's Talk Day is on January 28th this year, and we would like to hear from you all about your self-care practices. Do you take time for yourself regularly? Or is it a challenge to practice self-care? How do you wind down after a long day? Take our survey here...
COVID-19 and the Holidays
It's unlikely most Canadians will enjoy a holly jolly Christmas season of gatherings, carolling and travel, say public health experts who encourage those who revel in holiday traditions to accept more sacrifices ahead.
Donate now through canadahelps.org
Find a DCO Member Centre near you
One of the greatest gifts you can give is your time
How to reach our administrative staff:
If you are in distress or crisis and need immediate support, please call one of the Distress Centres or Crisis Lines listed in the GET HELP section of this website or, for help finding other mental health service providers, look at our USEFUL INFORMATION section. Distress and Crisis Ontario itself is an administrative organization and does not provide telephone listening or referrals!
Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch:
Administration offices, not a crisis line!
416-486-2242
info@dcontario.org
PO Box 40115
RPO Waterloo Square
Waterloo, ON
N2J 4V1
Distress and Crisis Ontario was recently featured on
torontoblogs.ca, click here to see the article.
Distress and Crisis Ontario is dedicated to being an LGBTQ2+ safe space, committed to inclusion and respect.
Distress and Crisis Ontario acknowledge that we are located on the Haldimand Tract, land promised to Six Nations, which includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. We are on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (Neutral Confederacy), Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples.
Distress and Crisis Ontario is a member of good standing of the Internation Association of Suicide Prevention and LifeLine International.