Crisis Support and Emergencies

If you or someone you know is struggling, the college has counselling services available for students at no charge. For more urgent needs, please see our list of resources below.

If you need urgent medical or psychiatric attention or your safety is at risk, go to the nearest hospital or call 911 right away. If you are on-campus, call security after calling 911 for emergency assistance at 905-735-2211 ext. 6999, or press the Emergency Button located on all campus pay phones.

Crisis Resources

Suicide Crisis Helpline 24/7

If you are feeling like you have lost hope and are struggling to cope, if you are dealing with thoughts of suicide, or if you are worried about someone else, 9-8-8 is here for you.

Distress Centre Niagara Crisis Line

If you are in crisis and need help now, please call Distress Centre Niagara:

  • St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and area – 905-688-3711
  • Port Colborne, Wainfleet and area – 905-734-1212
  • Fort Erie and area – 905-382-0689
  • Grimsby, West Lincoln and area – 905-563-6674

Distress Centre Niagara provides emotional support, crisis intervention and suicide prevention by telephone to individuals of all ages who may be experiencing personal, family or other difficulties.

Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence

For information and to understand your options, visit the Consent is Key website.

A list of crisis lines and sexual assault centres can be found at niagaracollege.ca/consentiskey/resources/.

Other Niagara Region Crisis Support Resources
Canadian Mental Health Association – Urgent Support Services

This service provides urgent mental health assistance for individuals 16+ years old. No appointment is necessary; visit one of their locations, call the number listed below, or be referred by other mental health and addictions partners within the community.

  • St. Catharines: 264 Welland Avenue (enter from Tasker Street)
  • Niagara Falls: 6760 Morrison St.
  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 11:30am – 7:00pm
  • Phone: 905-641-5222
  • Website: https://niagara.cmha.ca/
COAST Niagara / Mental Health and Addiction Help Line

COAST provides services to people in the Niagara Region who are in crisis and have a mental health concern. Ongoing telephone support and/or referral to appropriate follow-up services may be recommended to prevent further crisis.

Call 1-866-550-5205 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Press 1 for COAST, press 2 for Mental Health and Addiction Help Line.

Website: https://niagara.cmha.ca/programs-services/crisis-support/

Victim Services Niagara

Victim Services Niagara helps victims cope with the impact of crime and/or tragic circumstances, and to lessen the trauma of the victims.

Victim Services Niagara offers a 24/7 crisis support line. Call 905-682-2626.

Additional resources in Ontario:

Visit www.chs.ca/page/distress-centres-and-crisis-lines-ontario for a list of distress centres and crisis lines in Ontario.

24/7 Crisis Resources for Indigenous Students

Hope for Wellness Line

Offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.

Talk4Healing

A culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women across Ontario. Available in 14 languages.

Indian Residential School Survivor Crisis Line

A national residential crisis line to provide support for former students and those who need it.

  • Phone: 1-866-925-4419
NAN HOPE Line

Provides community-driven, culturally appropriate and timely mental health and additions support to members of the 49 First Nations communities in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Territory.

Six Nations Health Services Mobile Crisis Services

For Six Nations community members in need of immediate crisis services or support.

  • Phone: 1-866-445-2204 or 519-445-2204 (24/7)
  • Text: 226-777-9480 (Available Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM)   
  • Online Chat: www.sixnations.ca/ (chat link under Crisis Support – Start Live Chat). Available Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Kamatsiaqtut

Helpline for Inuit students.

  • Phone: 1-800-265-3333
MNO Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line

A 24 hour crisis line offered by Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO).

  • Phone: 1-877-767-7572

Medical Emergencies

The main phone number for all hospitals in the Niagara Region is 905-378-4647.

Greater Niagara General Hospital
  • 5546 Portage Road, Niagara Falls
    (Google Maps)
  • Phone: 905-378-4647
St. Catharines Hospital
  • 1200 Fourth Ave, St. Catharines
    (Google Maps)
  • Phone: 905-378-4647
Welland Hospital
  • 65 Third Street, Welland
    (Google Maps)
  • Phone: 905-378-4647

GuardMe Student Support Program

Transitioning to college life can be a wonderful and exciting life experience, but it can also be a time of tremendous stress and isolation as you learn to navigate new experiences and learn to balance academics with life on campus.  The GuardMe Student Support Program is a service available to all students that can be contacted anytime – day or night – to speak with a Student Support Advisors who can provide support and advice.

Advisors can help you anytime, anywhere with:
  • Being successful at school
  • Relationships with friends and family
  • Stress, anxiety, sadness, loneliness and more
Advisors:
  • Keep your information confidential
  • Can be reached through mobile and web chat, phone and video
  • Are available 24/7 for immediate or scheduled sessions, at no cost
Supports for all Students
  • Adapting to new cultures
  • Counsellors that speak your language, understand your culture and are experienced in supporting the unique challenges international students face
Access GuardMe Student Support
  • Downloading the free Student Support App is quick and easy! Download the Telus Health Student Support app on either the Apple App Store or Google Play
  • Once you have downloaded the app, complete your profile so you can browse health and wellness resources on the go, start a live chat or call with a counsellor – anytime, anywhere!
  • Call 1-844-451-9700 (or +1-416-380-6578 from outside North America) 
  • Browse resources on the gmssp.org website.

Are you struggling? Worried about a student?

Are you a student who is struggling, or know someone who is struggling? Are you a staff member who is worried about a student’s mental health? If this isn’t an emergency, explore the options below.

For Staff:
Request a Student Wellness Check
For Students:
Make an Appointment with HWAS
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