Free Mental Health Support Options Available Across Quebec
Looking for mental-health support in Quebec can feel confusing, especially when you’re already
overwhelmed. Between long wait times, unfamiliar systems, and not knowing where to start, it’s
easy to put off reaching out altogether. But there are resources designed to meet people where
they are, without judgment or complicated steps.
Here are three Quebec-based mental-health resources that are free, credible, and worth saving.
Whether you need someone to talk to, guidance through the system, or support that
understands your identity, these services offer different ways to get help.
1. Tel-jeunes
Tel-jeunes is one of the most youth-focused mental-health resources in Quebec. Designed for
teens and young people, it offers confidential support through phone calls, text messages, and
online chat.
You don’t need a diagnosis or a crisis to reach out. Whether you’re dealing with
anxiety, family stress, school pressure, relationships, or just feeling overwhelmed, Tel-jeunes
provides a space to talk things through with someone trained to listen.
What makes Tel-jeunes especially approachable is its flexibility. Some people feel more
comfortable texting than calling, while others prefer chatting online. Tel-jeunes makes room for
all of that, allowing young people to choose the format that feels safest for them.
Why it helps: it’s built specifically for youth, easy to access, and focused on everyday
challenges as well as heavier moments.
2. Info-Social 811
If you’re in Quebec and unsure what kind of support you need, Info-Social 811 (Option 2) is one
of the best places to start. By calling 811 and choosing the Info-Social option, you’re connected
to a psychosocial worker who can listen, offer guidance, and help you navigate available
services.
This service is available 24/7 and is meant to be a front door to Quebec’s mental-health and
social-services system. You don’t have to explain everything perfectly or know what to ask for.
The person on the other end can help you sort through what’s going on and point you toward
next steps that make sense for your situation.
Why it helps: it’s a clear starting point when you feel stuck, confused, or unsure where to turn.
3. Interligne
For LGBTQ+ people in Quebec, Interligne offers free, confidential listening and intervention
services by phone, text, and online chat. The service is designed to support people dealing with
isolation, discrimination, identity questions, mental distress, or crisis situations.
What sets Interligne apart is its understanding of LGBTQ+ realities. Callers don’t have to
educate the person they’re speaking with or justify their experiences. That shared
understanding can make reaching out feel safer and less exhausting, especially for those
who’ve felt misunderstood elsewhere.
Why it helps: it offers support that’s identity-affirming, accessible, and grounded in real
understanding.
A Final Note
Reaching out for mental-health support doesn’t have to mean having everything figured out.
Sometimes it starts with saving a number, sending a text, or making a call just to see what
happens next. These resources exist to make that first step a little easier.
If you’re struggling, or if someone you care about is, keeping these options handy could make a
real difference. Support looks different for everyone, and in Quebec, there are people and
services ready to meet you where you are.
Written by: Nuray Poland, Volunteer Contributing Writer, CharityAxess Writers Program.
About the Writer: Nuray Polad is a Media and Communications student with a passion for storytelling, cultural representation, and social impact. She explores how the media shapes communities and works to bring underrepresented voices to the forefront. Through her writing, Nuray focuses on impactful narratives, interviews, and opinion pieces that connect readers to meaningful causes and conversations across Canada.
Photo Credit: Edmond Dantès
