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How It Works

We are real people, ready to connect you to the right services in Toronto based on your needs.

We take the time to understand your situation and connect you with the services that best fit your needs. Our service is free and confidential.

Parents/legal guardians and youth can call us at 1-866-585-6486 or fill in our Get Started Form online.

Professionals must submit a Get Started Form online.

What you can expect

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Complete our Get Started Form online

Youth under 18, caregivers and professionals can submit a request at the link below. The form asks for basic information, including eligibility, consent, contact details, the mental health concerns, and what service you’re looking for. Once we receive your Get Started Form, one of our service navigators will contact you to confirm your eligibility and consent and to schedule a more detailed intake assessment.

Give us a call

If you prefer, you can give us a call at 1‑866‑585‑6486 to get started over the phone. A member of our team will ask for basic information, including eligibility, consent, contact details and the mental health concerns you’d like support with. They will also book a follow up appointment for you with one of our service navigators to do a more detailed intake. We are open from Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 7 PM, and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm EST. Only families and youth (over 16 can call). Professionals must fill in the Get Started Form.

We help guide you through the options

You’ll complete a more detailed 90-minute intake assessment with one of our service navigators to better understand your needs and discuss options for mental health services and supports in your community. The assessment is completed by phone or video with the parent/legal guardian(s) and children and youth under 16. Youth aged 16 and over can complete the assessment on their own if they prefer. During the assessment, the service navigator will gather additional information about the reason for referral, school, family and social relationships, past services, how the child or youth is managing at home, school and in the community, their strengths, and what the youth and family hope to achieve through accessing services.

Service matching and connection

Once a mental health service match is identified and reviewed with you the service navigator will send your completed referral to the appropriate service partner. The mental health agency will call you back within 5 business days to confirm that they have your details.

Complete service intake

The organization will contact you to complete any additional needed information. Please note that each partner agency will have unique programs and waitlists and may have other programs they suggest for you.

Fill in our online Get Started Form or talk to our friendly, experienced team at 1‑866‑585‑6486.

Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday 9am – 7pm
Saturday 9am – 5pm

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About the Service

Learn more about Help Ahead, who we support and the range of mental health and developmental services we can connect infants, children, youth and families to through trusted community-based agencies across Toronto.

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FAQs

Find answers to common questions about Help Ahead, including eligibility, services, referrals and how we can support infants, children, youth and families. Our FAQs can help you better understand what to expect and how to get started.

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