Crisis Support
DURING THE STUDENT WELLNESS CENTRE OFfice HOURS
Urgent counselling appointments are available at the Student Wellness Centre (MUSC B101; 905-525-9140 x27700) when students indicate they are in need of immediate support.
These appointments are generally reserved for, but not limited to students who:
- are actively at risk of harming themselves or others
- have experienced a recent traumatic event that requires sensitive attention
- are experiencing serious alterations in mood or cognition.
We will do our best to arrange an appointment with a counsellor within 24 hours.
Outside of the Student Wellness Centre Business Hours
COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team)
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
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.
Empower Me (Graduate Students)
24/7 accessible counselling services to empower you to thrive, crisis support, mental health and well-being services.
1-844-741-6389
Barrett Centre for Crisis Support
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
Oakville Distress Centre
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
Assaulted Women's Helpline
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
Crisis Resources in the GTA
The CAMH Distress Crisis Resources web page lists a number of phone lines, response teams and hospitals in the GTA.
Emergency Contacts
Who do I call?
On Campus
If you are dealing with an emergency situation on McMaster Campus, please call Campus Security 905-522-4135 or ‘88’ from a campus phone.
Off-Campus
If you are not on campus visit the nearest hospital emergency department, or call 911.
Should I visit an Emergency Department or an Urgent Care Centre?
Open 24 hours
An emergency is a life-threatening illness or injury. Call 911 to get medical help right away.
Examples of emergencies:
- Trouble breathing
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Chest pain or pressure
- Broken bones
- Partial/total amputation of a limb
- Traumas or injuries to the head
- Deep cuts or wounds
- Severe burns or pain
- Poisoning
- Loss of consciousness (unable to wake)
- Sudden headaches, dizziness, weakness, numbness, trouble seeing or speaking
- Mental health issues
- Severely ill or injured children
- Obstetrical emergencies (labour and delivery)
Open 9AM-9PM
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:
- Minor cuts or wounds that may require stitches
- Sprains, strains, or deep bruises
- Ear infections
- Fevers, coughs, congestion, and sore throats
- Insect bites, rashes, and scrapes
Where to go:
McMaster Children’s Hospital
*For emergency patients 17 and under*
905-529-2100
1200 Main Street West
Main Street West Urgent Care Centre
905-521-2100 ext. 72000
690 Main Street West
Sexual Violence Support
If you’re not sure what to do or where to turn, a good starting point is talking with the Sexual Violence Response Coordinator.
You can talk with her about what happened to you. She’ll listen and, when you’re ready, she’ll also give you information about what your options are, how you can find more support and what next steps you might consider taking.
Hagar Akua Prah
905-525-9140 ext. 20909
prahh@mcmaster.ca
Campus Support
Sexual Violence Response Coordinator
McMaster’s Equity and Inclusion Office provides support and advocacy for issues related to sexual assault and harassment through the Sexual Violence Response Coordinator.
Student Wellness Centre
The Student Wellness Centre provides counselling, medical services, and wellness education.
WGEN (Women and Gender Equity Network)
WGEN is a service that caters to women, transfolk, people who identify outside the gender binary, and all survivors of sexual assault. WGEN provides a safe(r) space and resource library on campus in MUSC 204. Volunteers in the space offer peer support and the service also runs a support group for survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence.
905-525-9140 ext. 20265
Community Support
SACHA (Sexual Assault Centre - Hamilton Area)
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
Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre
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.
Assaulted Women's Helpline
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
Toll-free TTY: 1-866-863-7868
Other Emergency Resources
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.
Information Box Group
Good Shepherd Food Bank
Emergency food and clothing
905-972-9485
Neighbour to Neighbour Centre
Emergency food; family services
905-574-1334
Good Shepherd Family Centre
The Family Centre offers temporary emergency accommodation and residential support to families who are experiencing homelessness.
905-528-9442
Hamilton Interval House
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