Our Service is open Sunday – Friday for text and chat. We provide support in English.
Our hours are:
Text: 4 PM – 9:30 PM, at 647-694-4275
Chat: 4 PM – 9:30 PM – Click the Chat button at the top of the page
E-mail: askus@youthline.ca
A note regarding phone support: We are taking a step back from phone services in order to focus on providing high-quality support using the mediums that are most accessible to our service users and volunteers. Our phone lines are closed until further notice, but our text and chat services are still open on the days and hours listed above. You can read more about this decision here.
At YouthLine, all our HelpLine volunteers are trained peer supporters aged 16-29, coming from a diversity of 2SLGBTQ+ identities and lived experiences. We serve all of Ontario.
We’re not counsellors, we’re peers who can relate, and we have been trained in active listening and relevant knowledge such as anti-oppression, anti-racism, sex and consent, STIs, HIV, self-care, and more. Some common things people call, text, or chat us to talk about include:
All our services are confidential and anonymous – we only know what you share with us. Our number will not show up on your phone bill. To learn more about our procedures and how to prevent our site from showing up in your computer’s history, click here.
HelpLine volunteers can discuss mental health and chat if you are feeling distressed, but we cannot offer support to you if you are in immediate crisis, as we are not formally trained in crisis support. If you feel you are in crisis, find the contact info of your local distress center here, or contact Kid’s Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868. If you are trans, you can also contact Trans Lifeline at 1-877-330-6366.
If you have used our services and have a complaint or a suggestion about our HelpLine, please take a look at our Complaints Policy and feel welcome to submit a complaint or suggestion to helpline@youthline.ca