An up-to-date list of mental health and support resources for LGBTQ+, questioning and transitioning youth across Canada

By Sarah B. Hood

It’s tough to be young during COVID. It’s even harder when you’re struggling with gender identity. Even prior to the pandemic, LGBTQ+ youth were found to “be at significant increased risk for depression, anxiety, substance use and suicidality. These risks are even more pronounced among youth who are transgender and/or nonbinary,” stated a recent report, Implications of COVID-19 for LGBTQ Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, published by The Trevor Project, a global suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth.

Before the pandemic, the Canadian Mental Health Association estimated that LGBTQ+ youth were about 14 times more likely to be at risk of suicide than heterosexual youth, with suicidal thoughts and attempts being most common among trans youth. With so many schools, libraries, community centres and fitness facilities operating under COVID protocols, youth who are coming out or transitioning have been facing an even more precarious period over the past few years. It’s been hard to get away from unsupportive family members or roommates, and harder to find a sympathetic ear or a safe, unjudgmental space just to be themselves.

Yet even through this very challenging time, there is support for LGBTQ+ youth who need to find information, socialize in a comfortable environment or just talk, as the following list (by no means exhaustive) shows.

Canadian Mental Health Association

National network offering a wide range of mental health resources. cmha.ca

Kids Help Phone

Mental health resources, crisis support and counselling for ages 5-20. 1-800-668-6868 / kidshelpphone.ca

Parents of Gender Creative Kids

Community organization supporting trans, non-binary and gender-fluid youths’ affirmation. gendercreativekids.com

PFLAG Canada

National support organization for parents, families, friends and LGBTQ+ people themselves. pflagcanada.ca

Trans Lifeline

Peer-run helpline offering support to trans people in crisis. 1-877-330-6366 / translifeline.org

Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance

Represents the interests of Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ individuals and groups ages 16+ in Wabanaki Territory (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland/Labrador, Quebec and Maine). w2sa.ca

altView Foundation for Gender Variant and Sexual Minorities

Province-wide non-profit based in Strathcona with a youth space/activity group and all-ages discussion group. altview.ca

Brite Line

Mental health and wellness helpline for Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 1-833-456-4566 Distress Line: 780-482-4357 (HELP) briteline.ca

Calgary Outlink

Support and referrals for Calgary’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Its Inside Out Youth Group supports ages 13-18. www.calgaryoutlink.ca/copy-of-feedback

Centre for Sexuality

Services and supports for Calgary’s LGBTQ+ community including Camp fYrefly, a national leadership retreat for ages 14-24. centreforsexuality.ca

Edmonton Two Spirit Society

Programs and services for Two-Spirit, IndigiQueer and/or Indigenous LGBTQIA+ communities. e2s.ca

LGBTQ Wellness Centre

Wellness services for Edmonton and northern central Alberta’s 2SLGBTQ population. wellnesscentreab.ca

Mental Health Help Line

24-hour helpline for Albertans experiencing mental health concerns. 1-877-303-2642 / albertahealthservices.ca/ findhealth/Service.aspx?id=6810&service AtFacilityID=1047134

Metta Clinic at Alberta Children’s Hospital

Calgary-based service supporting ages 5-18 with challenges related to gender identity. albertahealthservices.ca/ findhealth/Service. aspx?id=1082820&service AtFacilityID=1130520

Outloud Foundation

Resources and programming for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and adults in the St. Albert area. outloudstalbert.ca

QCHAT

Peer support and referrals for LGBTQIA2S+ youth. 1-855-956-1777 / qchat.ca /

QMUNITY

Queer, trans and Two-Spirit resource. The Youth Program offers one-on-one support, referrals and resources for ages 25 and under. qmunity.ca

Trans Care BC

Supports equitable and accessible care and peer support for trans people across the province. phsa.ca/transcarebc

Trans Connect

Health and community program supporting transgender, Two-Spirit, intersex and gender-diverse people in the East & West Kootenay regions. ankors.bc.ca/trans

Urban Native Youth Association 2-Spirit Collective

Supports Indigenous youth (15 to 30) who identify as Two-Spirit or LGBTQ+ and those who are questioning their sexual or gender identities. unya.bc.ca/programs/2-spirit-collective

Rainbow Resource Centre

Serves the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario, including through youth groups. rainbowresourcecentre.org

Trans Health Klinic

Transitioning care for individuals 16+ and care to transgender and non-binary individuals, including crisis support. klinic.mb.ca/health-care/ transgender-health-klinic

Trans Manitoba

Community support services for Two-Spirit, non-binary, transgender, gender non-conforming and questioning community members. transmanitoba.org

Two-Spirited People of Manitoba Inc.

Community-based organization focused on helping Indigenous LGBTQ/Two-Spirit people improve their lives. twospiritmanitoba.ca

Ensemble Greater Grand Moncton

The Safe Spaces program supports LGBT2SQ citizens, especially youth. ensemblegm.ca

Family Enrichment and Counselling Service

Community agency providing counselling services and educational programs for ages 12+ in the Fredericton area. Solace is its monthly workshop and conversation series supporting ages 18+. familyenrichment.ca

Imprint Youth Association

Fredericton’s developing association for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. facebook.com/imprintyya

New Brunswick Transgender Health Network

Interdisciplinary group of healthcare professionals and community partners seeking to improve services for transgender people. facebook.com/transhealthnetworknb

Sexual and Gender Advocacy Resource Centre at Memorial University

Support for LGBTQ+ community members, including Intersections (Resource Center for Marginalized Genders), which offers peer support, referrals and Trans, Asexual and Aromantic support groups. mun.ca/student/ student-supports-and-services

Trans Support NL

Supporting the Two-Spirit, non-binary, trans and gender-diverse communities, including through Camp Rainbow, for ages 7-15. tsnl.org

Labrador Safe Alliance

Support and resources related to 2SLGBTQQ+ issues. facebook.com/LabradorSafeAlliance

Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Health Centre

Planned Parenthood’s NLHSC in St. John’s provides a helpline and social group for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and runs Camp Eclipse, a leadership retreat for LGBTQ+ youth and allies. plannedparenthoodnlshc.com/2slgbtqia.html

Northern Mosaic Network (Formerly Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife)

Peer Support for the 2SLGBTQIPA+ community, including Rainbow Youth Centre, a space for 2SLGBTQIPA+ youth. northernmosaic.net

PrideHealth

Improves access for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities to support, including health and mental health services, peer support and social groups. nshealth.ca/content/pridehealth

Sexual Health Nova Scotia

SHNS represents community-based sexual health centres in Halifax, Sydney, Bridgewater, Amherst and Sheet Harbour. We work together to champion positive sexual health. shns.ca

Trans Family Nova Scotia

Peer-support organization for transidentified, gender-queer and allies. Facebook.com/groups/transfamilynovascotia

The Youth Project

Charity providing support and services to ages 25 and under around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. youthproject.ns.ca

Iqaluit Pride

Public group for the 2SLGBTQQIAA communities in Iqaluit. facebook.com/groups/419262831545970

Church Wellesley Health Centre

Multidisciplinary medical group; services include specialized care for the LGBTQ2 community. cwhealth.ca

Friends of Ruby

Toronto-based LGBTQI2S+ support and counselling for ages 29 and under (available in Quebec). friendsofruby.ca

Gender Identity Clinic at CAMH

Services to individuals ages 18+ relating to gender identity and expression. camh.ca/en/your-care/programs-andservices/gender-identity-clinic-adult

LGBTQ+ & Trans Health Program

Health care, counselling and social supports at Ottawa’s Centretown Community Health Centre. www.centretownchc.org/programsservices/lgbtq-trans-health-program

Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans Youthline

Free peer support for ages 26 and under. 416-962-9688 (Toronto area) 1-800-268-9688 (Ontario) youthline.ca

Pride & Prejudice

Central Toronto Youth Services offers support with issues related to gender identity and/or sexual orientation for LGBTQ2S youth and their families. ctys.org/program/pride-prejudice

Supporting Our Youth

Sherbourne Health Centre’s program for LGBT2SQ youth ages 29 and under, including TransFusion Crew, Black Queer Youth and Express creative workshops. soytoronto.com

Trans Community Health

Shelter Health Network’s weekly clinic and peer support for trans and gender non-conforming people ages 18+ in Hamilton. shelterhealthnetwork.ca

Transgender Youth Clinic

SickKids clinic for pubertal youth experiencing gender dysphoria. sickkids.ca/en/care-services/clinics/ transgender-youth-clinic

Mental Health and Addictions Phone Line

24-hour helpline staffed by trained mental health professionals. 1-833-553-6983 / princeedwardisland.ca/ en/information/health-pei/communitymental-health-services

PEERS Alliance

Resources and peer support for trans or gender-diverse individuals, including programs for children and youth. peersalliance.ca

PEI Transgender Network

Support and resources for the transgender community. peitn.com

AlterHéros Volunteer organization offering information about sexual and gender diversity. alterheros.com

Action Santé Travesti(e)s et Transexuel(le)s du Québec

Support for trans people. astteq.org

Aide aux transexuels et transexuelles du Québec

Helpline for transgendered individuals. 514-254-9038 / atq1980.org

Centre for Gender Advocacy

Independent Concordia University student organization that provides support, advocacy and resources for members of marginalized communities. genderadvocacy.org

Friends of Ruby

See Ontario.

Interligne

24-hour first-response centre dedicated to sexual orientation and gender diversity. 1-888-505-1010 / interligne.co

LGBTQ Youth Centre

Safe space for LGBTQ+ youth on Montreal’s West Island. lgbtqyouthcentre.ca

McGill University Sexual Identity Clinic:

Mental health care for individuals with sexual orientation issues. mcgill.ca/cosum

P10

Project 10 is a meeting place and advocate for LGBITQ2 youth in Montreal. p10.qc.ca

Tel Jeunes

Free confidential text and chat counselling for youth. teljeunes.com

HealthLine 811

Confidential 24-hour health, mental health and addictions helpline for Saskatchewan. 811 / 1-877-800-0002 saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/ accessing-health-care-services/healthline

OUT Saskatoon

Saskatoon and area’s 2SLGBTQ community centre, offering counselling, peer support and sexual health services. outsaskatoon.ca

TransSask Support Services

Province-wide non-profit resource network for the trans-identified, genderqueer, intersex and gender nonconforming communities. transask.ca

Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity

Non-profit at University of Regina supporting sexually and gender-diverse people throughout the city. urpride.ca

All Genders Yukon Society

Free counselling services for those who identify as trans, Two-Spirit or nonbinary. allgendersyukon.com

Queer Yukon

Queer community organization; local resources are listed on their site. queeryukon.com