Taking care of your well-being while you settle in Canada, study, and job search is important. This tab highlights a variety of University and local community-based resources and services to help you support your emotional well-being, find community connections, and access essential services in Canada.
Whether you’re looking for someone to talk to, facing a difficult time, or settling into a new environment, you’ll find resources here to help you feel more connected and supported.
On this page:
Community Wellness Resources
Access Alliance
Access Alliance provides holistic support for immigrants and refugees through culturally responsive mental health services, food security and literacy programs, and inclusive community events. Their services are designed to promote well-being, build social connections, and support successful settlement in Canada.
(Categories: Emotional Wellness, Nutrition and Food Security, Community Connections, Settlement Services, 2SLGBTQ+ Services, Primary Care Services)
Mennonite New Life Centre Toronto
MNLCT offers a wide range of services to support newcomer settlement and integration, including individual and group mental health support in multiple languages, employment counselling, skills training, and workshops tailored to the needs of immigrants and refugees.
(Categories: Emotional Wellness, Community Connections, Career Supports, Settlement Services, 2SLGBTQ+ Services)
Hong Fook Mental Health Association
This ethno-cultural mental health agency serves Asian and other communities across the GTA with culturally competent clinical services, community events, family and peer support programs, and multilingual intake to connect individuals with tailored recovery and wellness resources. Services are available in English, Cambodian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and Vietnamese.
(Categories: Emotional Wellness, Community Connections)
COSTI
COSTI provides a range of supports designed for newcomers, including mental health counselling and therapeutic groups, housing help to prevent homelessness, and services for women facing violence. COSTI has 18 locations across Toronto, the Region of Peel, and York Region and offers services in over 60 languages.
(Categories: Emotional Wellness, Housing and Safety, Women’s Services, Community Connections, Service Navigation, Settlement Services, Career Supports)
Crisis Lines
Toronto Distress Centre: Call 416-408-4357 for 24/7 immediate emotional support and reassurance, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention in over 150 languages.
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988 for 24/7 suicide prevention support for personal crisis situations or when concerned about someone else.
Assaulted Women’s Helpline: Call 416-863-0511 for 24/7 in over 200 languages if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse.
If your safety is at immediate risk, call 911 right away.
(Categories: Crisis Line, Emotional Wellness, Service Navigation)
Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture
This community-based organization supports survivors of torture, war, genocide, and crimes against humanity through mental health counselling, settlement services, and public education. Programs include but are not limited to individual and group support, employment orientation services, and a befriending program that connects survivors with trained community volunteers.
(Categories: Emotional Wellness, Settlement Services, Community Connections, Career Supports)
North York Women’s Centre
This women-led organization provides free, empowering programs for women and gender non-conforming individuals, offering skill-building workshops, personalized support in accessing services, community events, and a welcoming drop-in lounge for connection and growth.
(Categories: Women’s Services, Emotional Wellness, Community Connections, Service Navigation, Career Supports)
CMHA Newcomers’ Health and Well-Being Program
This program supports the mental health and well-being of newcomers through culturally sensitive services such as one-on-one support, walk-in services, workshops, and community connections. It focuses on building resilience, reducing isolation, and helping individuals navigate their new environment with confidence.
(Categories: Emotional Wellness, Settlement Services, Primary Care Services)
AccessMHA
AccessMHA connects individuals to mental health, substance use, and addictions supports through a simple and coordinated intake process. A trained specialist helps identify needs and links individuals to appropriate services across a network of partner organizations.
(Categories: Service Navigation, Emotional Wellness)
The 519
The 519 provides spaces and support for 2SLGBTQ+ people and communities in Ontario. They offer a variety of services designed to facilitate the health, happiness, and full participation of 2SLGBTQ+ people in Toronto, including newcomer specific services, health services, housing support, and more.
See The 519’s Newcomer Settlement Resource Guide.
(Categories: 2SLGBTQ+ Services, Emotional Wellness, Community Connections, Housing and Safety, Primary Care Services)
Madison Community Services – Recovery During Immigration and Settlement (RISE)
RISE recognizes the unique challenges newcomers face after immigration and offers holistic, community-based supports to ease the settlement journey. Services include one-on-one guidance, peer support, information sessions on key topics like housing, primary care services, and employment, and social activities that foster connection and well-being. Services are available in multiple languages.
(Categories: Service Navigation, Emotional Wellness, Community Connections, Housing and Safety)
Daily Bread Food Bank
Daily Bread Food Bank is a non-profit organization fighting hunger in Toronto through food distribution, advocacy, and research. They work with a network of member agencies to provide fresh and nutritious food to those in need.
(Categories: Nutrition and Food Security)
North York Harvest Food Bank
Alongside food distribution services, North York Harvest Food Bank offers a number of community programs and services at various locations in the North York area for those facing food insecurity.
(Categories: Nutrition and Food Security)
211 Central
Easily and confidentially search for critical social and community supports available in Ontario including newcomer services, mental health support, housing, primary care, 2SLGBTQ+ services, and more.
(Categories: Service Navigation)
Settlement.org
Settlement.org is an information hub designed to support newcomers to Ontario by providing reliable, up-to-date resources on housing, employment, healthcare, education, legal services, and more. It helps individuals navigate life in Canada with confidence through practical guidance, community connections, and answers to common settlement questions.
(Categories: Service Navigation)
Sherbourne Health
Sherbourne Health’s Newcomer Health program offers comprehensive, trauma-informed primary care for refugees and newcomers who face barrier to accessing healthcare. Services are tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals and families new to Canada, including low barrier primary care, mental health services, community groups, and more.
(Categories: Primary Care Services, Emotional Wellness, Community Connections, Settlement Services)
York University Wellness and Student Support Resources
Student Counselling, Health & Well-being
York University’s Student Counselling, Health & Well-being offers free, confidential mental health and wellness support to help students manage stress, navigate challenges and thrive academically and personally.
The Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education
The Centre provides confidential support, safety planning, and guidance for anyone in the York community affected by sexual violence. They can outline the complaint process, support with academic or workplace accommodations and provide relevant supports and resources.
Access 24/7 Support.
York University Psychology Clinic
York University Psychology Clinic is a mental health and training centre associated with the Department of Psychology. The clinic provides mental health services including individual, couples, and family therapy and assessments to people of all ages.