For immediate safety concerns involving yourself or others while on campus, please reach out to McMaster Campus Safety Services. Dial 88 from any red campus phone or 905-522-4135 from your mobile device. For emergencies off campus, please dial 9-1-1
If you are experiencing high levels of distress, such as thoughts of harm, recent traumatic events, or intense shifts in mood or thinking, our team will prioritize connecting you will care as soon as possible.
To speak with a counsellor or meet with a member from our medical team, call us at 905-525-9140 ext. 27700 or visit us in person at PGCLL, 210 (Level 2)
Canada’s 9-8-8 helpline provides 24/7 support by phone and text in English and French across Canada. Funded by the Government of Canada, it connects you with trained crisis responders for immediate, culturally sensitive assistance. Specialized support for youth and Indigenous communities is also offered.
Hamilton’s crisis line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The COAST mobile team, consisting of a mental health worker, and a police officer, will respond to crisis calls between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 a.m. daily.
905-972-8338
Good2Talk is a free, confidential helpline providing professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being to post-secondary students in Ontario, 24/7/365.
1-866-925-5454 or dial 211 and ask to be connected to Good2Talk.
24/7 accessible counselling services to empower you to thrive, crisis support, mental health and well-being services. Below is the local number if you are in Canada or the US. See the link to find helpline numbers for overseas access.
Barrett Centre for Crisis Support provides a safe environment in the community and responds to the needs of individuals, 16 years of age or older, who experience a mental health crisis and do not require a hospital stay. We provide confidential and free services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
24 Hour Crisis Line: 905-529-7878 Toll Free: 1-844-777-3571
Distress Centre Halton provides telephone and online support to people to better cope with crisis, loneliness, and emotional stress. Also serves the Hamilton area
905-849-4541
Free, anonymous and confidential telephone and TTY crisis telephone line to all women in the province of Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse.
We provide crisis counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals accessible 24/7/365.
GTA: 416-863-0511 GTA TTY: 416-364-8762
Toll-free: 1-866-863-0511 TTY: 1-866-863-7868
The CAMH Distress Crisis Resources web page lists a number of phone lines, response teams and hospitals in the GTA.
If you are dealing with an emergency situation on McMaster Campus, please call Campus Security 905-522-4135 or ‘88’ from a campus phone.
If you are not on campus visit the nearest hospital emergency department, or call 911.
Open 24 hours
An emergency is a life-threatening illness or injury. Call 911 to get medical help right away.
Examples of emergencies:
Urgent care is required for illnesses and injuries that do not need emergency care, but cannot wait for an appointment with a family doctor.
Examples requiring urgent care:
905-522-4941
50 Charlton Avenue East
*For emergency patients 17 and under*
905-529-2100
1200 Main Street West
905-573-7777
Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week
2757 King St. East, Hamilton, Ontario, L8G 5E4
905-521-2100 ext. 72000
Open 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week
690 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 1A4
Sexual Violence Response Case Manager University Hall (UH) 107 lafleurn@mcmaster.ca 905-525-9140 ext. 20909
McMaster’s Equity and Inclusion Office provides support and advocacy for issues related to sexual assault and harassment through the Sexual Violence Response Coordinator.
The MSU Women and Gender Equity Network (WGEN) is a peer support driven service that caters to women, trans folk, people who identify outside the gender binary, gender non-conforming folk and all survivors of sexual and gender-based violence from all gender identities. WGEN provides a safe(r) space on campus for people to go and feel safe, talk about articles and issues in the media, make friends, and bond through common experiences. The space also has a library with a number of resources available for the McMaster community to use.
905-525-9140 ext. 20265
Provides confidential, anonymous 24-hour nonjudgmental telephone support for adults who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives; will provide accompaniment to hospital or police station for survivors wishing to seek medical attention or report; counselling services & public education.
24-hour Support Line: 905-525-4162
Is an adult out-patient centre located in McMaster Children’s Hospital, operating a 24/7 response team to the General Hospital and the Juravinski Hospital to respond to survivors of Sexual Assault or Domestic Violence.
If you have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence, and you need medical attention please go to the Emergency Department at the Hamilton General or the Jurvanski Hospital. If you are under 18, please go to Emergency at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
Get free counselling and information on sexual violence from a sexual assault centre in Ontario.
Toll-free: 1-866-863-0511 Toll-free TTY: 1-866-863-7868
Sometimes circumstances change unexpectedly. If you are suddenly without food to eat or a place to stay, here are some resources that you might find helpful.
Emergency food and clothing
905-972-9485
Emergency food
905-523-5546
Emergency food; family services
905-574-1334
The Family Centre offers temporary emergency accommodation and residential support to families who are experiencing homelessness.
905-528-9442
Interval House will provide a safe place, support for abused women with or without children, community outreach services and practice-based research in our shared quest for freedom from violence.
Business Line: 905-387-9959 24-hour Crisis Line: 905-387-8881