Participate

After five successful years, the Project AFFIRM implementation research program in Ontario is coming to a close. Although the research initiative will no longer be running, the AFFIRM intervention will continue to be offered by trained facilitators working out of Ontario agencies. 

Here is a list of some of the agencies offering AFFIRM at the time of this writing (June 3rd, 2022):

Toronto

• Centre for Addition and Mental Health- Gender Identity Clinic: https://www.camh.ca/en/your-care/programs-and-services/gender-identity-clinic-adult

  • Individuals over 18 who wish to explore issues related to their gender identity, which may include any degree of transgender expression.

• The 519 Community support offers AFFIRM groups for LGBTQ+ identifying adults over 18: https://www.the519.org/

 Peel Region

• Peel District High School is running AFFIRM groups for LGBTQ+ identifying middle school and high school participants online.

  • Contact Todd Elliott for more information: todd.elliott@peelsb.com

Hamilton

• Hamilton Wentworth District School Board is running AFFIRM groups for LGBTQ+ identifying middle school and high school participants online.

  • Email: wehelp@hwdsb.on.ca

• Compass Community Health for Hamilton teenagers 12-18: https://compassch.org/

Niagara Region

• Niagara Falls Community Health Centre is offering AFFIRM for teenagers 12-18: https://www.nfchc.ca/

  • Contact Celeste Turner for more information: Celeste Turner CTurner@nfchc.ca

• Quest Community Health Centre offers AFFIRM for teenagers 12-18: https://questchc.ca/.

  • Contact Stephanie Vail for more information: svail@questchc.ca

Halton Region

• The Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch offers AFFIRM for youth aged 18-25: https://halton.cmha.ca/our-services/groups-workshops-webinars/

  • Contact AFFIRM@cmhahrb.ca for more information

Kitchener-Waterloo

• University of Waterloo is offering AFFIRM for LGBTQ+ Waterloo students.

  • Contact Washington Silk for more information: washington.silk@uwaterloo.ca

• Kitchener Waterloo Community Health Centre is offering AFFIRM for LGBTQ+ identified high school students age 12-18: https://kdchc.org/

  • Contact Michelle Walt for more information: mwalt@kwcounselling.com

If you are looking for community or emergency mental health resources specific to LGBTQ+ individuals, please consult the following list:

Beanbag Chat App

• Services available:

  • Online peer support and/or counselling from partner organizations, online mental health support tools

• Website: http://www.beanbagchat.ca/

Black Youth Helpline 

• Services available:

  • Serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools. 

  • Call 416-285-9944 or Toll Free 1-833-294-8650 (everyday 9 am-10 pm)

• Website: info@blackyouth.ca 

Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS)

• Services Available:

  • Over-the-phone counselling services

  • Call: 416-924-2100

  • Website: www.ctys.org

East Metro Youth Services (EMYS)

• Services available:

  • Over-the-phone counselling services for youth

  • Call: 416-438-3697, press 1, then press 0

  • Website: www.emys.on.ca 

Friends of Ruby (formerly Egale Youth Services) – For LGBTQ2S Youth up to Age 29

• Services available:

  • Over-the-phone and online chat services for housing help, crisis counselling, and other basic support.

  • To register for online chat services, please contact the email or phone number below

  • Numerous virtual programs and hang-out spaces including Art for Change weekly Visual Art Group (Mondays 3-4pm).

  • Must be a registered Friends of Ruby member to participate call the number below to register, and use the email below to get access to Zoom link.

• Virtual Program Calendar: http://friendsofruby.ca/calendar.pdf

• Call: 416-359-0237

• Email: info@friendsofruby.ca 

• Website: friendsofruby.ca 

• Address: 489 Queen Street E, LL01

 Gender Spectrum

• Service available:

  • US-Based facilitated discussions and support groups for trans youth and pre-teens.

  • No need to talk or turn on your video, but pre-registration is required. 

  • Website: https://www.genderspectrum.org/articles/gender-spectrum-groups

Good2Talk - Ontario Post-Secondary Student Support:

• Services available:

  • Good2Talk offers free, confidential support to post-secondary students in Ontario 24/7.

• Call: 1-866-925-5454 (to speak to a counsellor)

• Text ‘GOOD2TALKON’ to 686868 (to speak with a trained Volunteer Crisis Responder)

Hong Fook Centre

• Service available:

  • Virtual counselling services.

  • Intake line: 416-493-4242 (for anyone experiences mental health concerns)

  • Counselling for Asian youth aged 12 - 25 and their family: 416-493-4242 x 228

Kids Help Phone

• Services available:

  • Confidential and anonymous over-the-phone or text-based counselling available 24/7 to young Canadians between ages 5 to 29 years-old.

  • Call: 1-800-668-6868

  • Text ‘CONNECT’ to 686868

LGBT YouthLine

• Services available:

  • Email, text, and chat support. Sunday-Friday 4:00pm-9:30pm EST

  • Text: 647-694-4275

  • Website: https://www.youthline.ca

  • Email: askus@youthline.ca 

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