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.
NATIONAL/INTERPROVINCIAL
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
ALBERTA
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
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
BRITISH COLUMBIA
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
MANITOBA
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
NEW BRUNSWICK
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
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
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
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
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
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
NOVA SCOTIA
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
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
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
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
SASKATCHEWAN
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
YUKON
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