Getting help
Resources for helping teens with depression or psychological distress
Getting help
Resources for helping teens with depression or psychological distress
Are you concerned that your teen might need some help? Could you use some advice on how to deal with teens and depression? Are you finding that despite the support of those around you, things just aren’t getting better? Are you unsure of what to do next?
Here are some practical resources to help you find solutions and address the situation.
The first thing, parents of a depressed teenager should do is seek advice from a health care professional.
🏫 At school
You can start by talking to the school’s health care team. Since your teen already knows them, the initial meeting will be easier.
🏡 Outside of school
Info-Santé 811
A nurse will ask you about your situation and direct you to the appropriate resources in your area.
Your family doctor
They’ll do a preliminary assessment of your teen’s condition and possibly determine whether the issues are due to psychological distress rather than side effects of another illness. They can then direct you to the right resource.
Your Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) or your Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre (CIUSSS). Consult the directory.
Depression, anxiety. . . whatever issues your teen is experiencing, social workers and other health care professionals can help with your situation and direct you to the right services and resources for your needs.
IMPORTANT!
If you’re in a crisis situation or if your teen may be dangerous to others or at risk of self-harm:
- Call 911
- Go to the nearest emergency room
- Call Suicide Prevention Centre of Montreal at 1-866-277-3553. Your call will be automatically directed to a local resource (free and confidential service, available 24/7)
Going through a difficult time with your teen or looking for ways to help them navigate depression or anxiety?
Wondering how you can help someone with depression? There are a many services and helplines staffed by people who can provide advice and guidance if and when you need it.
Kids Help Phone (free, confidential service available 24/7):
1-800-668-6868 or kidshelpphone.ca
The Association québécoise des parents et amis de la personne atteinte de maladie mentale: 514-524-7131 or aqpamm.ca
🏨
Your local hospital
Be there: https://bethere.org
Tel-jeunes (telephone and online youth help service): 1-800-263-2266 or 514-288-1444 or teljeunes.com
Tel-jeunes Parents (free telephone help service for parents): 1-800-361-5085 or 514-288-5555 or teljeunes.com/parents
Relief (help, information, and self-management support): myrelief.ca
Strong Minds Strong Kids, Psychology Canada: Free stress management courses for school staff, courtesy of RBC Launch: https://www.strongmindsstrongkids.org
Looking for a psychologist or psychiatrist to provide care for your teen?
The Ordre des psychologues du Québec (OPQ)
The OPQ (private consultation; cost covered by you or your insurer) has an online directory that you can use to find a psychologist or psychotherapist
The directory lists professionals according to:
• the issues they treat
• their area of practice
• the types of clients they serve
This service also provides you with the following information:
• the date the professional obtained their licence
• the type of work they accept (e.g., CSST, IVAC , SAAQ, expert testimony)
• their theoretical orientation
Your family doctor or another healthcare professional can give you a professional’s contact information directly.
Free consultations in the public sector
CLSCs, hospitals, and schools generally offer free psychological services to their clients or students. You’ll need to contact the establishment directly to set up an appointment. Wait times will vary depending on the location and the issue you want help with. Consult the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) website for information on which health care facilities in your area offer psychological services.
Go to the MSSS website
Employee assistance programs
Some employers have an employee assistance program (EAP) that provides the opportunity to consult a psychologist or psychotherapist free of charge for a set number of sessions. Contact your EAP directly to obtain the names of health care professionals who are available to help you.
University clinics
Low-cost
Universities that offer psychology programs usually provide clinical services to the public. These services often cost less than those offered by independent psychologists, but they may have different conditions regarding consultations (for example, services might be provided by a doctoral student in psychology and supervised by a psychologist).