Mental health groups in Huron and Perth Counties have come together to create a better way to help people during a mental health crisis. After two years of work, the project has led to a new system that makes it easier for workers to guide children, youth, and adults to the help they need.
As part of the project, a simple poster, a step-by-step video, and a webinar were created. These tools help frontline workers understand how to follow the same process when someone is in crisis. The goal is to make sure people get the right care at the right time, in line with Ontario’s plan for better mental health services. These resources were shared with local service groups and agencies between January and May 2025 to begin using in their everyday work.
Many local partners helped build this new support system, including school boards, mental health organizations, family health teams, and hospitals. Together, they built a process that puts people first and makes sure help is available quickly and clearly.
Recent numbers from Statistics Canada show how urgent the need is. About 12 people die by suicide in Canada every day, with men being almost three times more likely to die by suicide than women. Suicide is also the second leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 34. These numbers show how important it is to have strong services ready for anyone in crisis.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7 through the Huron Perth Helpline and Crisis Response Team at 1-888-829-7484.
Written by: K. Milhomens