Frontline Worker and Peer Support Resources ​

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Frontline work can involve repeated exposure to crisis, grief, violence, moral distress, workplace stress, compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. The resources below can help workers obtain immediate support, locate community services, learn about trauma and mental health, and build a safe peer support program.

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Important: Peer support complements—but does not replace—professional mental health care, medical care, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP/EFAP), or emergency services. Peer supporters should follow their organization’s confidentiality, documentation, escalation, and emergency-response policies.

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Immediate and Crisis Support

 

9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline — Canada-wide

• Call or text 9-8-8, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• For anyone thinking about suicide or worried about someone else.

• Website: 988.ca

• If there is immediate danger or a person’s safety is at risk, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department.

 

211 Canada — Community and Social-Service Navigation

• Free and confidential help locating community, social, health, housing, food, financial, crisis, and other supports.

• Available in most of Canada by phone and online; local access methods and hours may vary.

• Website: 211.ca

 

Hope for Wellness Helpline — Indigenous Peoples Across Canada

• Culturally informed emotional support for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people.

• Call 1-855-242-3310, 24/7, or use online chat.

• Website: hopeforwellness.ca

 

ConnexOntario — Ontario Mental Health and Addictions Navigation

• Free, confidential, 24/7 information and referral for mental health, substance-use, problem-gambling, and eating-disorder services in Ontario.

• Call 1-866-531-2600 or text CONNEX to 247247.

• Website: connexontario.ca

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Frontline, Trauma-Exposed, and Public-Safety Worker Support

 

Wounded Warriors Canada — National

• Mental health education, counselling, training, and group-based programs for trauma-exposed professionals and organizations, Veterans, first responders, and families.

• Includes Peer Support Fundamentals, trauma resiliency programming, and family supports.

• Main site: woundedwarriors.ca

• Peer Support Fundamentals: Peer Support Training

 

Boots on the Ground — Ontario

• Anonymous peer support for serving and retired first responders, including sworn and civilian police, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, corrections, probation/parole, youth-services workers, dispatchers, military members, and Veterans.

• 24/7 peer line: 1-833-677-2668 (BOOT).

• Peer supporters are not therapists; the service provides listening, navigation, and connection.

• Website: bootsontheground.ca

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Project Trauma Support — Canada

• Programs and education addressing PTSD, moral injury, and the psychological effects of frontline service.

• Serves first responders, military members, Veterans, and families; program eligibility and costs should be confirmed directly.

• Website: projecttraumasupport.com

 

Warrior Health — Ontario Public-Safety Personnel

• Mental health information and immediate, stigma-free resources for trauma-exposed public-safety personnel, including uniformed and civilian workers in Ontario.

• Includes information on peer support, compassion fatigue, resilience, and crisis options.

• Website: warriorhealth.ca

 

Care for Caregivers / Care to Speak — British Columbia

• Mental health resources, webinars, podcasts, leader training, and peer support for healthcare workers.

• Care to Speak: free and confidential peer support by phone, text, or online chat at 1-866-802-7337 (PEER).

• Service eligibility is primarily for healthcare workers in British Columbia.

• Website: careforcaregivers.ca

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Finding Mental Health and Community Services

 

eMentalHealth.ca — Canada-wide Directory

• Searchable directory of mental health programs, professionals, crisis services, support groups, and community services by location and area of need.

• Website: ementalhealth.ca — Find Help

 

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

• Mental health information, workplace resources, community programs, policy information, and links to provincial/territorial divisions and local branches.

• Canada: cmha.ca

• Ontario: ontario.cmha.ca

 

CAMH — Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

• Evidence-informed information about mental health, substance use, treatment, education, and professional learning.

• Website: camh.ca

 

EENet Connect — Mental Health and Substance-Use Sector

• CAMH-supported knowledge-sharing community for professionals and others in the mental health and substance-use sector.

• Public forums can be viewed; registration is required to post and to participate in private subgroups.

• Website: eenetconnect.ca

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Employee Assistance and Workplace Mental Health

 

Employee Assistance Program / Employee and Family Assistance Program

• Workers should check their benefits card, internal employee portal, supervisor, union, or human resources contact for their organization’s confidential EAP/EFAP number and eligibility rules.

• CCOHS overview: Employee Assistance Programs

• Government of Canada Employee Assistance Services: Employee Assistance Program

 

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

• Practical information on psychological health and safety, workplace stress, violence, bullying, wellness programs, EAPs, and psychosocial hazards.

• Psychosocial resources: ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial

• Psychological Health and Safety Awareness course: CCOHS course

 

Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

• Ontario workplace rights, occupational health and safety, employment standards, prevention resources, and reporting information.

• Website: ontario.ca/page/ministry-labour-immigration-training-skills-development

 

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) — Ontario

• Work-related injury and illness supports, including mental health programs for eligible workers with work-related psychological injuries or conditions.

• Community Mental Health Program overview: wsib.ca

• Eligibility, claim requirements, and referral routes should be confirmed with WSIB.