Accessing Care
Lanark County
Accessing Mental Health Support
Immediate Support (Crisis Intervention)
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This section is for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis and is in need of support as soon as possible. The resources below offer judgement free crisis interventions. If you are in immediate danger please call 911.
Distress Centre Lanark, Leeds and Grenville
If you are feeling alone, and don't know where to turn, call the Distress Centre. This service is provided by non-judgmental and empathetic volunteers, and is based on an active listening model, which encourages individuals to help themselves through exploring their feelings and their options.
The Distress Centre is available to individuals living within Lanark, Leeds and Grenville and operates from 5:00 pm to midnight 365 days a year.
800-456-4442
Talk Suicide Canada
Support if you are having thoughts of suicide. This service is offed 24 hours, 7 days a week, nationwide. This service is also available in French.
Call or Text 9-8-8
Assaulted Women's Helpline
We provide crisis counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals accessible 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We work in tandem with community partners and sister agencies towards bridging gaps in service and identifying emerging issues or trends relevant to the women we work with.
Deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Toll Free 1-866-863-0511
Toll Free TTY 1-866-7868
Kids Help Phone
24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French.
1-800-668-6868 or text 68-68-68
Short Term Support
This section is for individuals in need of short term counselling/ support. Appointments are typically needed and wait times can vary based on need and accessibility.
Counselling Connect
This service is for everyone: children, youth, adults and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area. Counselling Connect services are provided by counsellors of diverse backgrounds and experience including Indigenous communities; African, Caribbean and Black communities; other racialized communities; and LGBT2SQ+ communities. In English, French or Arabic.
*NOTE: Lanark locations include Carleton Place and parts of Lanark Highlands*
Open Doors
"Talk-In Single Session Clinics occur across Lanark 5 days a week. The clinics are offered in-person and virtually (video or phone). School Based Services delivers counselling with youth between grades 9 and 12 throughout Lanark County high schools in a same-day counselling service. Counsellors are available one-day a week at each school. Students can access these appointments as often as they prefer throughout the school year. Youth can talk about any mental health challenges impacting their functioning or quality of life. The content of the conversations is confidential. To make a referral in your school, contact your guidance counsellor or the school’s student support staff. Brief Services provide up to 3 sessions with the same counsellor following initial talk-in session."
Lanark County Mental Health
A community based mental health service responding to Lanark County adults and transitional youth aged 17 and older, who are experiencing mental health concerns. Brief counseling sessions provide a safe space to explore your emotions, thoughts, and concerns. Experienced staff offer insights, coping strategies, and perspectives that empower you to navigate challenges and build resilience.
LGBT Youthline
2SLGBTQ+ youth-led organization that affirms and supports the experiences of youth (29 and under) across Ontario. They do this by:
*Providing anonymous peer support and referrals;
*Training youth to provide support to other youth; and
*Providing resources so youth can make informed decisions.
Continued/ Long Term Support
This section is for individuals seeking continued support/ counselling. A repour is established with the mental health professional and appointments typically run on a bi-weekly to monthly basis (or as needed).
Open Doors
If the goals identified in Brief Services have not been achieved, additional sessions are available through Extended Counselling/Therapy Services. These services are offered in person, as well as virtually.
Lanark County Mental Health
A community based mental health service responding to Lanark County adults and transitional youth aged 17 and older, who are experiencing mental health concerns. Offers group and individual therapy options.
Psychology Today Canada
Find a Psychologist in your area to help provide long term mental health support and guidance. Please note that this service is typically paid for either out of pocket, through insurance, or a third-party support organization.
Understanding Gender Affirming Care
Gender Affirming Care is an umbrella term used to describe practices, protocols or procedures that help Transgender or Gender Diverse people feel more comfortable in their bodies. Some examples of Gender Affirming Care include using proper pronouns (she/her, he/him, they/them, etc.), calling someone by their preferred name, accessing therapy or counselling, prescribing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)/ Blockers, and undergoing surgical procedures.
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Gender Affirming Care is a tool to help Transgender and Gender Diverse people decrease their Gender Dysphoria.
Inquiring about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Appointments Covered By The Ontario Health Insurance Plan
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Rainbow Health Ontario is a space "designed to help you find health and social service providers who have expressed a commitment to providing competent and welcoming care to LGBT2SQIA+ people in Ontario". Starting Gender Affirming Care through a Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner is covered financially (you do not need to pay for your appointment).
If you have a Family Physician (Family Doctor) or Nurse Practitioner, make an appointment with them to discuss your gender journey. In this conversation, your care provider may ask:
* What are your pronouns?
* What is your preferred name?
* Are you comfortable discussing your current anatomy?
* What types of support systems are around you?
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These questions will allow for your care provider to learn more about your gender experience and if Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) options are suited for you.
Please note, you may be your care providers first Transgender/ Gender Diverse patient. Direct them to Rainbow Health Ontario for more information on how to best support 2SLGBTQIA+ patients.
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If you do not have a Family Physician (Family Doctor), please look at Rainbow Health Ontario to find a doctor that best supports you. There may be a Doctor in your area that is not on the Rainbow Health Ontario list, but is accepting new patients. Please note, not all doctors are aware of Rainbow Health Ontario and may be a strong 2SLGBTQIA+ ally but not on the list.
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Here are some links to get you started:
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If your Care Provider advises that starting Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is your next step, there may be costs associated with the medication.
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Prescription costs vary based on age, type of drug, and administration type.
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The Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) covers the following individuals:
* Those 24 years of age or younger and not covered by a private insurance plan
* Those 65 years of age and older
* Those receiving professional home and community care services
* Those receiving benefits from Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program
* Those enrolled in the Trillium Drug Program
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Not all prescription drugs are covered under the ODB. Talk to your care provider about what options best fit your financial situation.
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If you are covered under an independent health insurance (under your parents/ legal guardian or yourself) please look into your coverage options. There, you can determine what options best meet your financial situation.
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Paid Appointments
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Foria Clinic provides "virtual consultations for health and wellness support, gender-affirming hormone therapy, surgical referrals, letters for gender marker change and more, to trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people". Foria starts with choosing the service that best meets your needs (accessing Testosterone or Estrogen) and filling out the intake form.
An appointment will be made and you will meet virtually with a Clinician who will create a personalized plan that best meets your gender goals and history. The first virtual appointment is $299.00 CAD, and in that, you will receive a 45 minute appointment, blood work requisitions, full medical and gender history, and lastly the ability to set goals and expectations.
If eligible, you will set another virtual appointment for 15 days following your initial meeting. This appointment is $199.00 CAD. This appointment will be 45 minutes long and will go over your bloodwork as well as hormone administration types (oral, injection, topical gel). A prescription will be given to you at this appointment.
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30 days following initiation, another virtual appointment will be made to discuss dosage and any side effects. This appointment is $99.00 CAD and will be 20 minutes long. This appointment will give you the opportunity to discuss any side effects with the Clinician and possibly change in prescription.
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More appointments may be required based on Clinician feedback. This service will cost $597.00 CAD (+).