Mental Health in Hamilton: Local Resources and Everyday Support Tips

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re reminded that sharing a table is one way we care for each other.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month - a national initiative to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and advocate for better mental health support. Mental health is more than just the absence of illness. It includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It shapes how we think, feel, and act, how we handle stress, relate to others, and make everyday choices. And like physical health, our mental health can change over time.

At 541 Eatery & Exchange, we believe that building a healthier, more connected Hamilton means caring for each other’s mental well-being.

Whether you’re seeking support, want to help someone you care about, or simply want to better understand mental health, this guide highlights local resources and small ways to make a difference right here in Hamilton.

Why Mental Health Awareness Month Matters

In Canada, mental health challenges are increasingly prevalent:

• 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year.  (CMHA)

• Young people aged 15 to 24 are more likely to experience mental illness and/or substance use disorders than any other age group. (CAMH)

• Stigma and discrimination attached to mental illnesses and substance use problems present a serious barrier not only to diagnosis and treatment but also to access to employment, housing, and other basic necessities. Stigma both creates and deepens social marginalization. (CMHA)

• In Hamilton, suicide deaths remained unchanged from 2018-2022, but emergency department visits for self-harm have increased. Those visits are much higher for female youth and other groups such as lower income and racialized. (Hamilton’s Community Health Status Report)

  
  

Mental Health Awareness Month creates space for learning, healing, and change, especially when paired with access to trusted local services.

Where to Find Help in Hamilton

Thankfully, Hamilton is home to a wide range of mental health services — many of which are free or low-cost.

• CMHA Hamilton provides peer support, workshops, and access to mental health programs for adults and youth.

• St. Joseph’s Healthcare offers outpatient and inpatient mental health services, with referrals available through your family doctor.

• COAST Hamilton operates a 24/7 crisis line and mobile support team for people experiencing mental health crises. Call 905-972-8338

• Good2Talk offers 24/7 mental health support for post-secondary students in Ontario. 1-866-925-5454

• Hamilton Public Health also shares mental wellness resources and can help you navigate where to start.

Some services in Ontario are covered by OHIP, including doctor visits, psychiatric care, and hospital-based services. While private therapy isn’t always covered, many clinics offer sliding-scale fees or free counselling through community programs.

Everyday Mental Health Tips

If you’re not in crisis but feeling low, small daily actions can support your mental well-being:

• Prioritize rest - naps count

• Spend time with friends and family

• Spend time in nature - go for walks, hikes, garden, or just sit outside

• Physical activity - go to the gym, do yoga, swim, walk, play sports, etc.

• Meditate and journal

• Take medication consistently

• Snuggle with pets

• Craft, read, play brain games, and be creative

• Access mental and physical therapy

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health. What matters is finding what helps you feel grounded and supported.

What We’re Doing at 541

At 541, our mission is rooted in connection. Through our Button Program, community meals, and meaningful volunteer opportunities, we work to reduce isolation and create spaces where everyone feels seen and supported, no matter their mental health status or life circumstances.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to join us in that mission. Whether it’s checking in on a friend, sharing a helpful resource, or simply permitting yourself to rest, every act of care matters.

You’re not alone. We’re in this together.