Health and Wellness

• Community Violence, Wellbeing, & Recovery Pilot (CVWRP):  Community Safety and Wellbeing Unit:  Contains info on how to access a City of Toronto support program for trauma & grief related to a violent event.

• Community Support Directory:  Contains contact numbers of a variety of support services

• Mental Health Support Strategy Outreach Document:  A directory containing contact info for a variety of mental health support organizations.

• Community Crisis Response Program: How to Cope after a Potentially Traumatic Event

• Helping Children to Cope After a Traumatic Incident

• Making Time Immediate Resource

• Making Time For Family

• Food Hampers for Families that tested Positive in Scarborough

• Feed Scarborough Online Free Community Grocery Store --  Register and get free gift cards to use online

• Contact  211  for  your closest food bank and  /or other support in your area.

• YMCA Food Bank -- Every Tuesday

• Toronto Resources Map -- Food programs, shelters, COVID assessment and vaccination sites

• For A Warm Meal 

• Good Neighbour Project -- Delivers food to your door, 647-873-2230 or contact them on Facebook

• East Scarborough Boys & Girls Club --  Help to access food banks. Call to register, Kacy Knight: kknight@esbgc.ca, 416-428-5898 or 416-888-1916

• Centennial College’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts --Delivering food baskets of basics like milk, eggs, cheese, flour and sugar to families in Scarborough.    Houseofneighbours@gmail.com or call  Mohammed Mohyedin at 647-213-0456.

• Scarborough Food Security Initiative -- Information about Scarborough Food Banks,  Drop In Meal Programme and Mobile Healthy Meals. Boundaries: VicPk-Markham-Eglin-Lakeshore), 647-846-0300, ScarbCares@gmail.com

• 5N2 Kitchen - Meal Delivery, call Fahima Fatah, 416-551-0910

• Black Food Toronto -- Fresh produce  offered to members of the African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) community.  Weekly deliveries of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables at no cost to members of the ACB community who needs support

• Muslim Welfare Canada -- food hampers. 

• Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) Drop-in Food Bank **ONLY TCHC clients, Friday’s: 12-330pm, 3945 Lawrence Ave. E, contact  Lorna 416-428-5827

• Red Cross --  For residents of Toronto who have no other way to access food , 1-833-204-9952

• Food Hampers Through Native Child and Youth Services

• www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-caregiving-benefit.html

• Catch Up Payments: One-time financial support for parents of students under 18 years old.  Need to apply by March 31, 2023.  - https://www.ontario.ca/page/catch-up-payments 

• Toronto Rent Bank -- Interest Free Loans

• Applications for Social Assistance  -- apply online or call 416-338-8888 or 1-888-465-4478 (toll free).

• The Financial Relief Navigator (FRN)  -- Helps to identify eligibility to  benefits and relief packages through the Federal and Provincial government 

• EDUCATION BANK and FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE -- Free school supplies, activities and resources

• Free TTC PRESTO Cards -- the $6 fee to load /buy the card is waived although you still  need to load the card with your own money for fares.   The cards are being distributed at 30 library branches

•  Free Masks or contact them at lovemasksto@gmail.com or through their Facebook or Instagram pages 

• Jumpstart -- Financial assistance to help participate in organized sports and physical activity

• Free Dental Care for children 17 years old and under for lower-income families in need of support

• Dental Services 

• Orthodontic Assistance -- Smiles 4 Canada Application Form

• Free Essential Health Care  or Diet-Specific Products

• Information about Financial, Food, Disability, Housing Supports and More

• Reduced Internet  (Connected For Success Program) -- For individuals receiving Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Program, or seniors receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement 

• Free Tax Help

• During the school year, please let a guidance counsellor or any of your teachers know if you or your family are looking for clothing or struggling with financial challenges and we will try to help you find additional supports.

• If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental or physical health emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room of your local hospital.  

• If you are not sure if it is an emergency, or just need to talk through the situation, call one of the following:

•      Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 

  • COVID-19 Testing  Locations and Scarborough Pop-Up Walk-in Testing 

  • Information about Accessing the Vaccine in Scarborough -- Can also call1-888-385-1910

  • Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or texting CONNECT to 686868

  • Mental Health TO at 1-866-585-6486 for free phone or video mental health counselling for infants, children, youth and families 

  • Distress Centres of Greater Toronto – (416-408-4357 or text 45645) 24/7 support, 365 days a year, for individuals in crisis

  • Assaulted Women’s Helpline – (1-866-863-0511 or text #SAFE (#7233) on Bell, Rogers, Fido or Telus). Free, anonymous & confidential 24-hour helpline for women in Ontario experiencing any form of abuse.

  • 211 – call 2-1-1 or text 21166 (M-F 7am – 9pm) -- help finding supports in the community such as food banks, housing and more. 

  • Toronto Public Health – (416-338-7600)  -- Up-to-date Covid-19 information for the City of Toronto

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/School-Year-2021-22/Mental-Health-and-Well-Being/2021-2022-Winter-Well-Being-Guide 

• Emergency shelter -- call the Central Intake Line at 416-338-4766, 1-877-338-3398 toll-free or 311. 

• For housing assistance, contact the Scarborough Housing Help Centre at 285--8070

• Information about financial, food, disability, housing supports and more

• If you have a family doctor, contact their office to schedule a video or phone appointment.  

• If you have an urgent concern or emergency, call 911. 

• Don't have a doctor? Contact seethedoctor.ca  for their virtual care walk-in clinic. 

• Free Dental Care for children 17 years old and under for lower-income families in need of support

• Dental Services 

• Orthodontic Assistance -- Smiles 4 Canada Application Form

• COVID-19  Symptomatic Testing Kits Available at DMT

• Getting  the Vaccine in Scarborough -- Can also call 1-888-385-1910

• Information For Youth About the Vaccine

• Information about Vaccines (in many languages)

• More Information about Vaccines (in many languages)

• UNDERSTANDINGCOVID19VACCINE: MakingEvidence-BasedChoicesforBlackChildrenandYouth Tuesday,November16,6:30p.m.-8p.m  Click here\

• The Kids Help Phone ,  Always available, text,  chat on-line or by phone, 1-800-668-6868

• Mental Health TO / What's Up Walk-In-- Immediate free mental health counselling for children, youth, young adults up to 29 years and their families, and families with infants -- 1-866-585-6486

• Youthlink in Scarborough -- (416) 967-1773, ext 220 -- online walk-in and ongoing free counselling support, for youth 12 to 21 years (and their parents/ guardians, if interested). 

• Naseeha Youth Helpline -- Support for Young Muslims,  7 Days Per Week, 1 (866) 627-3342, Text: 1 (866) 627-3342

• Arab Community Centre of Toronto -- Luma Sakakini (Scarborough), luma@acctonline.ca, Cell # (647) 617-7746.

• Strides Toronto  (Scarborough) --(416) 438-3697, ext 12248,  free support to individuals up to 18 years (and their parents/ guardians, if requested)

• Non-Crisis Peer Support Phone Line

• Stella's Place -- (416) 461-2345 -- Peer support, counselling, and opportunities to explore your creative side, for young adults 16 to 29 years.

• Rising Together  -- Depression and Anxiety Online Peer Support Groups

•  Indigenous COVID Pathways Hotline --  437-703- 8703

• Black Youth Helpline -- 416-285-9944 Toll Free 1-833-294-8650 

• Crisis Response For African, Caribbean and Black Youth --Harriet Tubman Youth Support Line -- 24 hour Response Line - 416 - 712 -0844

• Hong Fook -- Free Virtual Walk-In Support Offered in Cantonese, Mandarin, English for age 12 to 25, 647-619-9030.

• Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line  -- Confidential and Non-Judgemental Peer Support for the LGBTQ+ community,  647-694-4275 

• Cafe B.R.E.A.K. - Student Cafe to support Well Being

• AGATA Resource Centre. Inc., offers Black youth, families and immigrants education-based programs centered on mental health support, skills training and wellness.

They encourage new beginnings by putting your mental health first. https://agataresourcecentre.com/

• Student Mental Health Action Kit - School Mental Health Ontario 

• Kids Help Phone -- text or speak with trained listeners 

• The Big White Wall -- Excellent website to get support

• Hope Exists After Loss Peer Support Group -- Don't be Alone in Your Grief, Starts July 6

• Support For Youth Struggling With School and Dealing With Legal Problems

• Spend a Few Moments To Relax -- Mindful Moments Meditation 

• The Family Navigation Project (FNP) -- Helps young people (13-26 years) and their families access  the mental health and addictions system, 1-800-380-9367, Email: familynavigation@sunnybrook.ca.

• Support to Black Children and Their Parents

• Information about  Physical and Mental Health, Drugs,  Alcohol, Nutrition, Stress/Anxiety, Suicide, Bullying, LGBTQ Issues, and More 

• TDSB Mental Health and Well-Being Resources  During COVID-19 

• Design Your Own Mood-Lifting Program -- Workbooks, activities and videos, Create Your Own Self-Help Journey, or Work With a Trained Coach by Phone

• Meditation and Mindfulness Exercises   

• Calm for Meditation and Help with Sleep 

•  Mindyourmind  -- Support and Resources

• Mindshift  -- Help with Anxiety 

•  Jack.Org Youth Mental Health Resource Hub -- Self-care tools and coping strategies and more. 

• The Good Viral - A Campaign of Hope to Support Mental Health, Hundreds of videos, including ones from Chris Hadfield, former Toronto Raptors, actors, Olympians, teachers. and lots of youth

• Wellness Together Canada -- Free resources, tools, and professional support services to help with wellness and resilience, as well as mental health and substance use.

• Recommended Video -- They Don’t Know  (Chronixx)

• Short Video About Youth Coping with Mental Health Challenges

• Support Group for Parents  of Children With Developmental Disabilities

• Online Consultation with TDSB Professional Support Staff -- Wednesdays, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m (Information in Other Languages)

• Parent / Guardian  Support Group for Families Caring for A Child With Asperger's / Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Black Parents Support Group

• Respite Services During COVID

• Extend-A-Family Support Programs

• Financial, food, disability, housing supports and more. 

• Autism Support 

• Autism Speaks-- Information and Resources 

• Autism Resources Through Kerry's Place 

• Questions About Autism?  

• Learn about the Ontario Autism Program and support for children with autism -- programs, waitlists and funding

• Information about financial, food, disability, housing supports and more

• Holland Bloorview, Programs For Children and Youth With Disabilities

• Black Youth Health Challenge - Free Boxing

• From Canadian Olympians -- Challenges for Our Staff, Students and Families 

• Calming / Relaxation Exercises

• Coping Calendar

• Building Structure and Routine

• Tolerance for Uncertainty: A COVID-19 Workbook 

• If your child is struggling and you would like someone to talk to, here are some options for some additional support:

• TDSB Mental Health and Well-Being Online Consultation

•  Mental Health TO / What's Up Walk-In--Immediate mental health counselling for children, youth, young adults up to 29 years and their families, and families with infants, 1-866-585-6486

• Youthlink, Scarborough, (416) 967-1773, ext 220 (intake worker)-- Telephone, online and ongoing counselling for youth 12 to 21 years (and their parents/ guardians, if interested), parent support groups

• Strides Toronto, Scarborough, (416) 438-3697, ext 12248 -- Provides support to individuals up to 18 years (and their parents/ guardians, if requested)

• Student Mental Health Action Kit

• Parenting With Hope During A Strange and Stressful Time (TDSB Behaviour Resource Team Newsletter )

• Talking to Kids About Racism And Discrimination (TDSB Psychology Department Hearts and Minds Newsletter)

• Summer Workshops for Parents  -- Wednesdays in July 2021

• Summer Workshops for Grandparents -- Wednesdays, August 2021

• Speak to your family doctor about possible assistance

Suggestions From Our Staff and Students:

• Keep apps that involve mindfulness at easy reach

• Have a decided idea of a path you want to go, keeping focused

• Be able to understand that progress is how you approach it, not everything will be perfect

• Participate in activities that seem more calming (blowing bubbles, yoga, etc.)

• Get out in the environment to see the surroundings 

• Identify important parts in music (like hidden vocals or any instruments that catch the listener's ear) 

• Practice mindfulness strategies -- eg. Focus on your breathing, your surroundings or your senses

•  Try different ways to stop procrastinating such as leaving your room and taking your laptop with you (make sure it is not connected to wifi) and go outside (i.e., sit in the backyard or the balcony). That way, with a device that has no wifi, you will get bored and the only fun thing to do is to start working

• Who Do I Want To Be During COVID19?

Sample Posters from Some of Our Students-- (1) Tips For Online Education ,  (2)  10 Tips For Online Education, (3) Tips To Conquer Online Education

Recommended Video -- They Don’t Know  (Chronixx)