Crossing Bridges does not provide immediate, crisis support. If you need help now, contact a local support line. If you need immediate medical attention, call 911 or go to the closest emergency department.
Please note that Crossing Bridges is a voluntary program, and in order to protect the confidentiality of each participant, we ask that only basic information (i.e. name and contact information) be inputted into the booking calendar or contact page.
What Is Crossing Bridges?
Crossing Bridges is a free and confidential safe space where you can connect virtually with a Youth Counsellor and get information about substance use, mental health and behavioural addiction. Crossing Bridges provides support to young people aged 12-24 with mental health, substance use and/or behavioural addiction (e.g. gambling, gaming, sex, internet, etc.). Crossing Bridges also provides support for family members and significant others being affected by a youth’s addiction or mental health. Sessions for caregiver support are education based, and a limited number is provided.
What’s an Addiction?
Addiction is when you:
- Use substances or engage in a behaviour (like gaming or social media) even when it starts causing issues in your life
- Don’t feel you have control over your substance use or behaviour
- Experience cravings for the substance/behaviour that are hard to resist
- Have overwhelming impulses to use the substance or engage in the behaviour
Do I Have an Addiction?
Common signs of an addiction include:
- Using a substance or behaviour to cope
- Changes in your mood
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
- Continuing even when it’s causing harm
- Struggling to stop or cut back
- Hiding your use or behaviour
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is:
- Your emotional and mental well-being
- How you cope with stress, handle life problems, and connect to others
- Taking care of your mental health empowers you to feel more confident, positive and capable, regardless of what comes your way
Am I struggling with my Mental Health?
You may be struggling if you notice any of the following happen often or over a long period of time:
- Feeling sad, hopeless, anxious or angry more than usual
- Fatigue, changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Having negative thoughts about yourself and life in general
- Isolating from family and friends, and things that you once enjoyed doing
- Difficulties coping with stress, daily problems or activities
Need to Talk?
- Ask questions about addiction and/or mental health
- Work with a counsellor to learn practical strategies and tips to manage addiction or mental health
Access free and confidential virtual counselling sessions in whatever way – phone, online with video, online with voice only.
What Have Others Experienced?
“[I like] getting to talk to the counsellor about what’s going on without any hiccups nor inconveniences. Also, it’s easier to re-schedule if anything ever comes up unexpectedly.”
“My counsellor is amazing, very helpful, and thoughtful with a very broad perspective that truly helps me view my situations with an open mind.”
“It’s positive that I can still have someone to talk to, even throughout COVID.”
“[I like that] I don’t have to travel to a location.”
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