About ConnexOntario
What is ConnexOntario?
ConnexOntario is Ontario’s free, confidential, 24/7 service for finding mental health, addiction, problem gambling, and eating disorder support. Trained information and referral specialists help individuals, families, caregivers, and professionals understand their options and find programs across the province of Ontario.
People can contact ConnexOntario by phone, text, live chat, or email. They can also search the online service directory. No referral, appointment, or name is needed to contact ConnexOntario.
ConnexOntario provides information, navigation, and brief supportive listening. It does not provide counselling, diagnosis, psychotherapy, or medical treatment.
ConnexOntario’s History and Mandate in Ontario
ConnexOntario’s history began in 1991, when the Ontario Ministry of Health created the Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment, known as DART. The service was first designed to help professionals find addiction treatment programs. It later expanded to help the public access care.
ConnexOntario’s service grew over time:
- 1991: The Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment began listing addiction programs in Ontario.
- 1997: The Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline was added.
- 2005: Mental Health Service Information Ontario was added.
- 2018: The separate services were brought together through one phone number and website.
Today, ConnexOntario helps people understand and navigate Ontario’s mental health and addictions system. Its mandate includes reducing barriers to services, maintaining reliable program information, and supporting stronger planning across the healthcare system.
ConnexOntario also collects and shares system-wide information with governments, researchers, healthcare professionals, and community organizations. This data can help identify service gaps and improve access to care.
Our Guiding Principles
When DART was created in 1991, Dr. Brian Rush and his colleagues established founding and guiding principles. These best practices guided us then and continue to be used today:
- Facilitating access to services
- Good governance
- Operate a cost-effective service
- Stakeholder engagement
- Maximize the use of technology
- Promoting and raising awareness
- Expertise in data collection
- Building “bridges” in the sector
These principles ensure that ConnexOntario remains focused on improving access to care and delivering reliable, evidence-informed information to the public.
What Services Does ConnexOntario Help People Find?
ConnexOntario helps people find community programs and treatment services for:
- Mental health concerns
- Substance use and addiction
- Problem gambling
- Eating disorders
- Crisis and urgent support
- Counselling and psychotherapy
- Peer and family support
- Housing and community services
- Inpatient and outpatient treatment
- Specialized services for different ages, identities, languages, and needs
The ConnexOntario database includes eligible publicly funded, OHIP-subsidized, government-supported, and charitable programs. Listed services must meet ConnexOntario’s inclusion criteria and generally offer care at no cost or on a sliding scale.
Who Can Use ConnexOntario?
ConnexOntario is available to anyone in Ontario, including:
- People looking for support for themselves
- Family members, partners, friends, and caregivers
- People using mental health or addiction services for the first time
- Healthcare providers and community professionals
- Social workers, counsellors, and educators
- Organizations helping clients navigate care
A person does not need to be in crisis or know which type of service they need. ConnexOntario specialists can listen, explain available options, and help identify possible next steps.
How Can People Contact ConnexOntario?
ConnexOntario is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays.
People can connect through:
- Phone: 1-866-531-2600
- Text
- Live chat
- The online program directory
Interpretation services are available in more than 130 languages. A person can remain anonymous and may only be asked for general details, such as their community or postal code, to help find nearby services.
Frequently Asked Questions About ConnexOntario
Is ConnexOntario free and confidential?
Yes. ConnexOntario’s information, navigation, and referral services are free and confidential for people in Ontario. You do not have to provide your name to ask questions or look for services.
Is ConnexOntario available 24 hours a day?
Yes. Phone, text, live chat, and email support are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays.
Does ConnexOntario provide counselling or treatment?
No. ConnexOntario does not provide counselling, psychotherapy, diagnosis, or clinical treatment. Its specialists offer brief supportive listening, explain service options, and help people find organizations that provide care.
Who can contact ConnexOntario?
Anyone can contact ConnexOntario for themselves or someone they care about. Family members, caregivers, friends, healthcare providers, social workers, educators, and other professionals can also use the service.
What types of services can ConnexOntario help me find?
ConnexOntario can help people find mental health, addiction, problem gambling, and eating disorder services. This may include counselling, treatment programs, peer support, family services, crisis resources, and other community supports.
Do I need a referral, appointment, or OHIP card?
You do not need a referral, appointment, or OHIP card to contact ConnexOntario. Some treatment programs may have their own eligibility or OHIP requirements. A ConnexOntario specialist can help explain those requirements.
Can professionals use ConnexOntario for client referrals?
Yes. Healthcare providers and other professionals can contact ConnexOntario to find current program information and possible referral options for clients. Organizations can also update their ConnexOntario listings so service information remains current.
ConnexOntario’s Organizational Credentials
ConnexOntario has supported access to services in Ontario since 1991. Its work is supported by several organizational standards and public-service responsibilities:
- Provincial support: ConnexOntario receives financial support from the Government of Ontario and Ontario Health.
- Community governance: A diverse, community-based board of directors governs the organization.
- Trained specialists: Information and referral specialists are trained in mental health, addiction, problem gambling, and service navigation.
- Province-wide database: ConnexOntario maintains a comprehensive database of eligible programs across Ontario.
- Published inclusion criteria: Organizations must meet clear requirements before being added to the database.
- Accessible service: Support is available 24/7 through several contact methods and in more than 130 languages through interpretation.
- Public reporting: ConnexOntario publishes annual reports that outline its activities, priorities, governance, and impact.
- System planning: Its reports and data help governments, researchers, and service providers understand needs and identify gaps in care.
These credentials help ConnexOntario provide reliable, current, and practical service information to people and professionals across Ontario.
Find Mental Health, Addiction, Problem Gambling, and Eating Disorder Services in Ontario
Finding the right support can be difficult, especially when you do not know where to start. ConnexOntario can help you understand your options and find services based on your location, needs, language, and other preferences.
Contact ConnexOntario anytime for free and confidential help finding mental health, addiction, problem gambling, and eating disorder services in Ontario.
