Our Bridging Barriers to Newcomer Mental Health program provides mental health support to newcomers in Niagara who are experiencing language and other social barriers to accessing mainstream mental health services. This is done by providing one on one, group and anti-stigma counselling support to newcomers by registered social workers in the clients’ first language (Arabic, Spanish and Mandarin).

The program is also designed to provide mental health relief to eligible newcomers who are experiencing unique challenges as a result of the current pandemic as well as bridge the cultural gaps that currently exist in newcomers accessing mental health services within the Region and provide a gateway for clients to access long-term or medical mental health attention if needed.

The WHO states that mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community” (World Health Organization 2019).
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Mental Health Challenges:
Everyone faces events in their day to day life which, if not addressed, could challenge their mental health. Common challenges include:

• Losses (loved ones, health, job)
• Employment (loss, new, retirement)
• Life events (wedding, pregnancy)
• Housing
• Relationships
• Finances/Legal
• Health
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Positive Mental Health:
Mental Health affects how you think, feel and act. People with mental health are:

• Resilient
• Content
• Self-confident
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Achieving Mental Health:
Taking care of yourself includes being involved with activities that make you “feel good.” Ask us about:

• Volunteering
• Stress management
• Social Support

• In-person one-on-one counselling appointments
• Mental Health Chat-Line
• Group Sessions
• Art Therapy

• Permanent Resident
• Landed Immigrant
• Intend-to-Land
• Approved PR application
• Convention Refugee
• Live-in Caregiver
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Non-Eligible individuals are eligible for 1 appointment (1 assessment and referral to appropriate service)

Newcomer Mental Health Chat Line – Newcomers of any status are eligible

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ACCESS THE NEWCOMER MENTAL HEALTH CHAT LINE

Please click the red button in the bottom right corner of this page to access the mental health chat line.

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What is Mental Health? (Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish)

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Mental Health and Immigration (Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish)

St. Catharines

Mental Health Services: Monday to Friday | 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Chat Line: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Off-Line Hours: If you contact the chat line on our offline days, we will respond to you on the next online day.

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Niagara Falls, Welland, Fort Erie

Available by appointment only