Counselling and therapy
Student Health and Wellness Centre
Confidential, short-term counselling. Book online, in the app, by phone or in person at the Minto Sports Complex, room N203. Most students don't pay anything extra.
homemental health support
you don't have to do it alone.
School stress is real, and a lot of what gets in the way of grades isn't the course material. I'm a tutor, not a counsellor, so this page points you to the people who are. Almost everything here is free or already covered by your student fees.
every number and link checked November 1, 2026
need help right now?
If you or someone else is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. If you're not in danger but you're struggling, these lines answer any time.
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9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or text any time, anywhere in Canada. Free and confidential.
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Mental Health Crisis Line
24/7 crisis support for Ottawa and the surrounding region, including if you're worried about someone else.
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Good2Talk
24/7 support for college and university students in Ontario, by phone or text.
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Kids Help Phone
24/7 support for young people, by phone or text.
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Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region
Overwhelmed and need to talk to someone right now? They pick up 24/7.
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On campus
Campus emergency lines can get help to you on campus quickly.
uOttawa students
for University of Ottawa (and Saint Paul) students
Peer support
Student Health and Wellness
Free one-on-one chats with trained student peers, for stress, relationships, culture or just a rough week. Drop in at the University Centre, room 211F, or book ahead.
Academic Accommodations
Academic Accommodations Service
If ADHD, anxiety or anything else affects how you learn or write exams, this office sets up accommodations. They can give interim accommodations while you wait for an assessment.
Mentoring
Academic support and mentoring
Upper-year students who took your courses share study strategies and tips. There are faculty, writing and assistive technology mentors.
Carleton students
for Carleton University students
Counselling Services
Health and Counselling Services
Book a session online. Single sessions open five days ahead, so check again the next morning if nothing shows. Covered by your student health fee. For urgent help on weekdays, call and press 2.
Paul Menton Centre
Accessibility and accommodations
Carleton's office for academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Check their events for ADHD and neurodiversity groups.
Centre for Student Academic Support
Learning and writing support
One-on-one help with time management, academic reading and writing, in person or online, plus workshops.
high school students
for teens in Ottawa
Someone at your school
Guidance and student services
Your guidance counsellor or school social worker is a good first stop. They can help with school stress and connect you to more support. Kids Help Phone (above) is there 24/7 too.
YSB 24/7 Crisis Line
Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa
For anyone 17 and under in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario, plus worried parents and friends. Call or use their crisis chat, any time.
1Call1Click.ca
Youth mental health in Ottawa
One place to get connected to youth mental health, substance use and neurodevelopmental services in Ottawa, which includes things like ADHD.
anyone in Ottawa
free, and you don't need a referral
Walk-In Counselling Clinic
Free single-session counselling
Talk to a counsellor the same day, no appointment or referral needed, or book a free online session for later in the week. It merged with Counselling Connect.
BounceBack Ontario
Canadian Mental Health Association
Free coaching by phone, plus videos and workbooks, for stress, worry and low mood. Ages 15 and up. Sign yourself up.
ADHD and attention
whether you have a diagnosis or just a brain that wanders
CADDAC
Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada
Canada's ADHD charity. Group coaching and peer support for ages 16 to 24, plus a directory of assessment clinics, coaches and counsellors.
Getting assessed
Where to start
Talk to your family doctor or the doctors at your campus clinic about an assessment. You don't have to wait for one to get help: uOttawa offers interim accommodations, and your accommodations office can walk you through it.
lines for specific communities
support from people who get it
Naseeha
Muslim youth helpline
Free, confidential support for Muslim youth, 24/7. Call or text.
Hope for Wellness
For Indigenous peoples across Canada
24/7 counselling and crisis support by phone or online chat.
YouthLine
2SLGBTQ+ peer support
Free, anonymous peer support for 2SLGBTQ+ people 29 and under in Ontario. Text or chat, Sunday to Friday, 4 to 9:30 pm.
where I fit in
I'm not a therapist, and I won't pretend to be one. If school is part of what's weighing on you, I can help with that part: breaking things into smaller pieces and making a plan you can actually follow. If you tell me things are rough, I'll help you find the right person on this page.
Last checked November 1, 2026. Services change their numbers and hours sometimes, so their own websites have the final word. Spot something out of date? Email booking@inkoprep.ca. Inko Prep isn't a health or crisis service and isn't affiliated with any of the services listed here.