MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
The City has launched a mental health support strategy, which offers free mental health support by telephone. Seniors or caregivers can call 211 for a warm referral to a mental health service provider. Culturally relevant supports are available to Indigenous and Black Seniors.
In case of a mental health crisis, seniors can call the Toronto Seniors’ Helpline (416-217-2077), Distress Centres of Toronto (416-408-4357), or Gerstein Crisis Centre (416-929-5200).
If seniors have a question about City services (e.g. libraries, waste, Wheel-Trans, etc.):
Use information on the Affected City Services page or call 311 (available in 180 languages).
Provincial and Federal Government supports:
The Ontario government has announced initiatives that may support seniors, including:
temporarily increasing GAINS (Guaranteed Annual Income Support) for low-income seniors, suspending all eviction-related activity, holding hydro prices to off-peak prices, support for expanded Meals on Wheels, and more. For information, visit the Ontario COVID-19 website.
The Government of Canada has also announced a one-time automatic payment of $300 to all seniors receiving Old Age Security (OAS) and an additional $200 for seniors receiving
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), among other initiatives. Visit Support for Individuals.