Support Services for
Physicians and their Families
Resources in Ontario
Physician-Specific Resources
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Ontario Medical Association (OMA) Physician Health Program
About: Provides confidential, anonymous support and referral services to physicians, residents, medical students, and their families. They provide support and services for those experiencing a variety of personal and professional concerns such as stress and burnout, family difficulties, substance use concerns, and mental health concerns.
Contact Information: 1-800-851-6606 | php@oma.org
Availability: 8:45 am – 5:00 pm ET (Mon - Fri)
Black Physicians Association of Ontario (BPAO)
About: Provides mental health and wellness resources for Black professionals and community members.
Contact Information: 1-888-424-1068
PARO Distress Helpline (for Residents and Clinical Fellows)
About: Provides 24/7 confidential, anonymous, immediate help and support to residents, medical students, and their family members. They provide guidance for issues such as stress management, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, career or work-related crises, etc.
Contact Information: 1-866-HELP-DOC
Availability: 24/7
McMaster University
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
About: Provides resources to faculty.
Contact Information: For more information: kladd@nosm.ca
Homewood Health Student Assistance Program (SAP)
About: Provides confidential support such as counselling, coaching, and other support services to learners.
Contact Information: 1-800-663-1142
Availability: 24/7
About: The Learner Support Services Office operates in consultation with the academic program. It provides confidential service and support to assist learners academically, personally, and financially.
Contact Information: Learner Affairs Officers’ contact information
Morneau Shepell Employee and Family Assistance Program
About: Provides confidential, immediate support to all employees to help address any work, health, and life challenges.
Contact Information: 1-844-880-9142
Availability: 24/7
Postgraduate Medical Education Wellness Program
About: Provides support and resources for residents to address various health needs. The framework of the program includes occupational/academic, physical, emotional, and social health.
Contact Information: residentwellness@nosm.ca
Queen’s University
Faculty of Health Sciences Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
About: Provides resources and training sessions to students, faculty, and staff to help them gain valuable knowledge and skills to work in an inclusive work environment.
Contact Information: General Inquiries: edifhs@queensu.ca | Make a complaint | Book a Meeting: assocdean.equity@queensu.ca
Availability: Mon and Tues (for meetings with the Associate Dean, Equity and Social Accountability)
About: Provides anonymous, confidential counselling to employees and their family members. They address a variety of issues that may be affecting wellbeing, including financial, career, grief and loss, nutrition, addictions support, substance use, etc. If needs extend beyond the scope of the EFAP coverage, Homewood Health will help explore other options.
Contact Information: 1-800-663-1142
Availability: 24/7
LifeWorks Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
About: Provide confidential, professional, and personalized wellness services to all employees and family members. Services range from counselling, assessments, and toolkits.
Contact Information: 1-877-789-7572
Availability: 24/7
Postgraduate Medical Education Wellness Office
About: Provides support to residents and clinical fellows struggling with various stressors including demanding schedules, finances, career choice, competitive environment, sleep deprivation, personal relationships, exam pressure, lack of control over training and hours, etc. The Director of Resident Wellness is available to meet with learners virtually or in-person regarding any difficulties they experience during their residency.
Contact Information: 1-613-533-2543 | postgradwellness@queensu.ca
Availability: By appointment (Book by email or phone)
About: Provides short-term counselling to resolve personal difficulties, crises, and distressing situations. If longer-term counselling support or specialized mental health services is needed, they work with partners in the Kingston community for assistance.
Contact Information: 1-613-533-2506
Availability: By appointment | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm ET (Mon – Fri)
Undergraduate Wellness Advising
About: Provides confidential assistance and resources for undergraduate medical students experiencing any physical, personal, or emotional struggles.
Contact Information: learnerwellness@queensu.ca
Unity Health
About: Provides 24/7, confidential support, resources, and information to help with all of life’s challenges. They are available to provide confidential emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance, financial resources, online support, and wellness tools.
Contact Information: 1-866-606-6367 | Login online
Availability: 24/7
University of Ottawa
About: Provides wellness supports, resources, and education for all members of the Faculty of Medicine. They provide confidential individual counselling and wellness support, referrals to health care providers, and tailored wellness workshops.
Contact Information: 1-613-562-5800 (ext. 8507) | wellness@uottawa.ca
Availability: Complete Self-Referral Form and email wellness@uottawa.ca
Homewood Health (All Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario [CHEO] Faculty and Residents)
About: Provides confidential support services, counselling, and medical treatment for a range of challenges such as mental health and addiction disorders.
Contact Information: 1-800-663-1152
Availability: 24/7
LifeWorks Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
About: Provides confidential support services to faculty, staff, and eligible members experiencing a range of challenges related to work, health, or life in general. LifeWorks offers short-term professional counselling, nutritional services, and family, legal, and financial support services.
Contact Information: 1-844-880-9142
Availability: 24/7
Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
About: The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) seeks to raise awareness, encourage sensitivity, and improve equity issues in all aspects of the medical school. Any EDI concerns or complaints can be confidentially reported through the online form or with the Assistant Dean of the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Faculty of Medicine.
Contact Information: edifom@uOttawa.ca
About: Provides bilingual counselling and support services for undergraduate medical students to help promote and maintain student health and wellness. They offer a comprehensive program of services such as personal wellbeing, psychological health, and financial and career planning.
Contact Information: 1-877-868-8292 (ext. 8136) | medsao@uOttawa.ca
Availability: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm ET (Sep – May) | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm ET (Jun – Aug) | By appointment (book online, by email, phone, or in-person)
The Well-being Program for Physicians-in-Training
About: This program within the Faculty of Medicine is designed to assist residents and fellows in preventing and managing their personal, medical, and academic concerns when they arise. A series of policies and procedures are set out to help maintain and manage the well-being of postgraduate trainees. Postgraduate trainees may reach out to the Vice-Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education if they encounter any academic or wellness concerns.
Contact Information: Vice Dean: 1-613-562-5413 | Faculty Wellness Program Director: 1-613-562-5800 (ext. 8507)
Availability: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm ET (Sep – May) | 8:45 am to 4:00 pm ET (Jun – Aug)
University of Toronto
LifeWorks Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
About: LifeWorks provides free, confidential, short-term support and services to help deal with various types of issues. It is available to University of Toronto employees and their dependents. Their services include counselling, coaching, financial and legal consultation, life balance solutions, resources, information, and support for all types of issues relating to mental health, health management, and achieving greater personal and workplace wellbeing.
Contact Information: 1-855-597-2110
Availability: 24/7
Office of Inclusion and Diversity
About: The Office of Inclusion and Diversity (OID) supports the Temerty Faculty of Medicine commitment to lead in the area or equity, inclusion, and diversity (EDI). They provide advice, guidance, and support on EDI and human rights issues to all members of the faculty community and advise and collaborate with the Faculty of Medicine learners, staff, and faculty members to implement EDI priorities in areas of admissions, recruitment, and retention.
Contact Information: medicine.oid@utoronto.ca
About: Provides a range of services to support the psychological, physical, and social wellbeing of learners at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, such as academic and clinical skills enhancement, personal and career counselling, and accommodation and accessibility.
Contact Information: ola.reception@utoronto.ca
Availability: Administrative Office Hours: 8:45 am – 5:00 pm ET (Mon-Fri) | By appointment (book here)
Postgraduate Medical Education
About: Provides free, confidential counselling/psychotherapy and referral services for residents and fellows to address a range of personal and professional concerns.
Contact Information: 1-416-946-3074 | pgwellness@utoronto.ca
Availability: 8:45 am – 5:00 pm ET (Mon-Fri)
Student Health and Wellness – Graduate Student Counsellor
About: Provides mental health and wellness counselling to all full-time and part-time students of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
Contact Information: 1-416-978-8030 (select option “5”)
Availability: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm ET | By appointment (book by calling 1-416-978-8030, select option “5” and ask to book with a GLSE)
Western University
About: Provides various resources to support the health and wellness of students at Western University, including free, confidential mental health support.
Contact Information: 1-519-661-3030
Availability: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm ET (Mon – Thurs) | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET (Fri)
Homewood Human Solutions Employee and Family Assistance Program (London Health Sciences Centre)
About: Provides confidential counselling services for employees and their immediate families. They help with a wide range of personal and professional struggles and concerns.
Contact Information: 1-800-265-8310
Availability: 24/7
About: Provides confidential support and resources to help ensure the physical, psychological, and professional safety of learners enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Dental Surgery, and Postgraduate Medical and Dental Residency Training Programs. They provide mental health services, academic support, or provide support with issues related to equity, safety, and wellness.
Contact Information: London: 1-519-661-4234; learner.experience@schulich.uwo.ca |
Windsor: 1-519-253-3000 (ext. 4312); learnerexperience@uwindsor.ca
Availability: Daytime (Mon – Fri)
LifeWorks Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
About: Provides free, confidential professional assistance and support to address various concerns affecting your wellbeing. It is available to all Western employees and immediate family members.
Contact Information: 1-855-597-2105
Availability: 24/7
Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization
About: The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry is committed to providing a welcoming and accommodating environment for everyone. They recognize diversity is a source of strength promoting a culture of excellence, innovation, flexibility, and adaptability that thrives from the contributions of all their members.
Contact Information: EDI@schulich.uwo.ca
Postgraduate Medical Education Support and Counselling
About: The Postgraduate Medical Education Office (PGME) is committed to providing excellence in postgraduate education training, and producing caring and competent physicians, who will be future leaders in an ever-changing health care system. The PGME office provides confidential support to postgraduates including discussing any issues or concerns related to equity, intimidation, professionalism, and/or gender issues. The list of available contacts for London and Windsor is available on their website.
Contact Information: 1-519-661-2019 | List of Contacts for London and Windsor | Fill Out a Form to Report an Issue
About: This program provides physical, psychological, and professional wellbeing support for clinical and dental faculty in London and Windsor. The wellbeing team consists of representatives from clinical departments and the Schulich Dentistry and the Schulich Medicine – Windsor Campus. Departmental Leads are the first point of contact for faculty to help navigate assistance, provide access to needed resources for their peers, and enhance the flow of communication between the faculty and the School.
Contact Information: faculty.wellbeing@schulich.uwo.ca
Community-Based Resources
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
About: Provides education and support for individuals and families experiencing concerns related to mental health, substance use, or loss by suicide. Services vary by location and to find the branch near your area and for their available programs, please refer here.
Contact Information: Find a Branch
Availability: Find a Branch
About: Provides information and confidentially connects Ontarians with mental health, addictions, and problem gambling services.
Contact Information: 1-866-531-2600
Availability: 24/7
About: Provides a range of support services to communities. Many Distress Centres across Ontario operate 24/7 and include a variety of services, such as mental health crisis lines, suicide survivor programs, LGBTQ+ friendly services, etc. To find more information and a centre near you, please visit their website. If you are in distress, crisis, or are experiencing suicidal ideation, ONTX is available to provide support over text or online chat.
Contact Information: ONTX: Text “SUPPORT” to 258258; Chat online | Find a Member Centre
Availability: ONTX: 2:00 pm – 2:00 am ET | Find a Member Centre
Hospice Palliative Care Ontario
About: Provides confidential stress, grief, and bereavement support to front line health care workers in Ontario. The Helpline team has extensive experience and understands the unique needs of health care workers. They are available to lend an ear to simply listen, or offer information, assessment, and referral to services based on needs, preferences, and location.
Contact Information: 1-866-485-4204
Availability: 7:00 am – 10:00 pm ET (Mon – Sun)
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) for Health Care Providers
About: Provides mental health and addiction support and resources for health care workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or other crises. Individuals who are eligible may self-refer for psychotherapy and psychiatric services or help navigate what supports they may need.
Contact Information: Self-Referral Form (for psychotherapy and psychiatric services) | Access Online Resources | 1-800 463-2338
Availability: 24/7
About: Provides 24/7, multilingual, confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention services to members of the community who are at risk.
Contact Information: GTA region: 1-416-408-HELP | Peel region: 1-905-459-7777 | Text 45645
Availability: 24/7