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Mental Health

Nurturing our mental health is essential for our well-being.

But the lack of inclusive resources, systemic social inequities, non-stop doom scrolling,
and still-existing stigma, means many people are struggling.

It’s okay to not be okay. We need to talk about it.

Every day, someone you know is struggling to get out of bed, make it through the day, afraid or unable to reach out to someone, and unsure of how and where to get help. 

It could be a friend processing trauma, a parent coping with bipolar disorder, a co-worker dealing with depression, a roommate struggling with anxiety. It could be you.

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Mental health issues are on the rise like never before:

  • One in five people  in Ontario struggle with their mental health.

  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people in Canada.

  • 65% of youth aged 15-24 reported that their mental health had worsened since COVID-19 started.

  • Rural and remote areas are facing high demands for more accessible services.

Why we care

When someone’s mental health is compromised, it can negatively affect all aspects of their life, from education and career, to relationships and overall well-being. Without timely support, people facing mental health challenges are at greater risk of finding themselves in harmful, dangerous situations like family violence or suicide.

Most of us know someone who has experienced a moment of crisis before. No one should go through that alone.

We believe that everyone deserves fast and appropriate access to the help they need, when they need it.

United Way East Ontario helped Rebecca get the support she needed.

Four days before schools closed in March 2020 due to COVID-19, Rebecca started at a new school. For someone who struggles with anxiety, virtual learning was an added barrier during an already difficult time.

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What we do

By bringing together educators, social service partners and supporters, we can all play a role in advocating for a better system, where prevention and education create lasting change.

We’re helping local agencies and partners across Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark and Renfrew Counties:

  • Enable crisis lines that offer immediate emotional support and coping strategies.

  • Deliver culturally-appropriate, affordable, and timely counselling programs.

  • Expand peer support groups and suicide-prevention initiatives.
  • Improve early-childhood mental health which will lead to greater success in school, and in life.

  • Take care of unpaid caregivers who are there for kids, aging parents, and family members with disabilities.

  • Bolster access to essential support services in our rural and remote communities.
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Mental health support can save lives.

Together, we can build stronger, more resilient communities, be there for one another, and learn how to take care of our own mental well-being.

Become a monthly donor in support of Mental Health by joining GenNext+, so that people can get the help they need, when they need it.

GenNext East Ontario is powered by United Way East Ontario, a registered Canadian charity. All donations are processed and issued with an official tax receipt by United Way East Ontario.

We take accountability seriously.

You should feel confident when supporting a charity, and we’re committed to full transparency, accountability, and cost-efficiency. We invest your gift in smart, strategic ways, to ultimately move the needle.

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100% LOCAL IMPACT
Every donation is put to work in the community where it is raised to tackle the causes you care about.

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TOP 100 CANADIAN CHARITY
Charity Intelligence, MoneySense & Maclean’s named United Way East Ontario a top-100 Canadian charity.

Learn more about United Way’s charity ratings and how your gift is managed here.

Need help?

If you or someone you know is seeking mental health help, here are some immediate resource you can use:

CALL 9-1-1
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

211 EASTERN ONTARIO
Find community, social, government, and health services closest to you.

Visit 211ontario.ca or call 2-1-1

DISTRESS CENTRE OF OTTAWA AND REGION
24/7 access to a mental health support hub.

Visit dcottawa.on.ca
Call the Distress Line at 613-238-3311
Text 343-306-5550

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