We are a non-profit family peer support organization for parents whose children to age 25 are facing mental health challenges. We are parents who have supported our own children with these challenges – we’ve been there, we get it, and we can help.
We provide Family Peer Support for parents through our:
Parents’ Helpline for support and guidance navigating the mental health system, finding resources in your community, and for when you just need someone to talk to.
Parent Support Groups for parents to share information and learn from one another, and come together as a community.
Mobile One-on-One Support for more intensive support and guidance through particularly challenging times, in-person and in your community.
How we can help
- Understanding your child’s concerning symptoms or diagnosis
- Finding resources and support for your child and family
- Navigating services for your child at home, in the community, and at school
- Providing support and strategies for coping with life’s stressors
- Sharing skills to effectively advocate for your child and family’s needs
- Providing non-judgemental, understanding support for you as a parent
Call now to speak with a Family Peer Supporter
613.321.3211
855.775.7005
Parents who have used our services report being better able to access the services they need, better able to support their child, and better able to cope with the challenges they face. They also report feeling less anxious, stressed, and isolated.
As a mental health professional working with children, youth and families, I am grateful for Pleo and the support it provides children/youth and their families. As a parent-led organization, it fills the gap that professional mental health services do not provide. If Pleo did not exist I simply don’t know what I would recommend in its place.
All of Pleo’s services are free to join and funded by our funders, donors and sponsors
To see this month’s calendar of events, please click View Calendar
Pleo Events
If you would like to join and/or participate in any of our free events listed below, please follow the links. To view all Pleo events, click here.
Parent Support Group for parents and caregivers of children (ages 13-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges. Every Wednesday, 6:30-8pm, Virtual (Zoom)
This free weekly peer-facilitated drop-in virtual parent support group, Drop-In Virtual Parent Support Group 13-25, is for parents and caregivers of youths, teens, and young adults ages 13-25 facing mental health or addiction challenges, to find support and connection with others who understand, in a supportive, non-judgmental space. It’s held every Wednesday from 6:30pm to 8pm on Zoom and facilitated by two Pleo Family Peer Supporters, parents who each bring their own lived experience supporting a child with mental health and/or addiction challenges to the group, providing understanding and compassionate support. On the fourth Wednesday of the month, this support group is bilingual. Find support, learn from other parents’ experiences, share information and resources, and build your sense of community in a safe, confidential space. This support group helps support the parent or caregiver, helping build the parent or caregiver’s capacity to support their child facing mental health and/or addiction challenges.
Parent Support Group for parents and caregivers of children (ages 0-12) facing mental health or addiction challenges. Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 6:30-8pm, Virtual (Zoom)
Drop-In Virtual Parent Support Group 0-12, is a free peer-facilitated drop-in virtual parent support group for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-12 facing mental health or addiction challenges, to find support and connection with others who understand, in a supportive, non-judgmental space. It’s held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 6:30pm to 8pm on Zoom and facilitated by two Pleo Family Peer Supporters, parents who each bring their own lived experience supporting a child with mental health and/or addiction challenges to the group, providing understanding and compassionate support. On the 2nd Tuesday of the month, this group is bilingual. On the 4th Tuesday of the month, this group is topic-based (click here for this month’s topic) and co-facilitated by two Pleo Family Peer Supporters, in partnership with mental health clinicians from Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth. Learn new tools and knowledge and develop skills to help you best support your child facing mental health and/or addiction challenges, while building your own resiliency as a parent or caregiver, in a safe and confidential space.
Follow us @pleo4families
Please click the link below to see our programs and support groups for this week:
pleo.on.ca/where-to-find-us/#calendar
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Veuillez cliquer sur le lien ci-dessous pour voir nos programmes et groupes de soutien pour cette semaine :
pleo.on.ca/fr/ou-nous-trouver/#calendrier
Join us tomorrow in Renfrew for a special night:
The support group on Tuesday November 5th 2024 from 6:30-8pm will feature special guest speaker Crystal who will share her powerful story of recovery, offering hope and inspiration to families supporting a loved one with mental health or addiction challenges.
As we want to give everyone the opportunity to attend, we have opened this support group on November 5th to all parents and caregivers. We welcome all who are interested in attending, to join us tomorrow evening.
This support group is in partnership with Renfrew County Youth Wellness Hub and Addictions Treatment Service (ATS).
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Rejoignez-nous demain à Renfrew pour une soirée spéciale :
Le groupe de soutien du mardi 5 novembre 2024, de 18h30 à 20h, mettra en vedette la conférencière invitée spéciale Crystal qui partagera sa puissante histoire de rétablissement, offrant espoir et inspiration aux familles qui soutiennent un proche ayant des défis de santé mentale ou de dépendance.
Comme nous voulons donner à chacun la possibilité d'y participer, nous avons ouvert ce groupe de soutien le 5 novembre à tous les parents et aidant(e)s. Nous invitons tous ceux qui souhaitent y participer à nous rejoindre demain soir.
Ce groupe de soutien est en partenariat avec Renfrew County Youth Wellness Hub et Addictions Treatment Service (ATS).
Pleo together with OCDSB Mental Health Team, will be presenting a workshop at this event on November 2nd. The workshop will be on the topic of, “Navigating the Challenges of School Refusal and Avoidance.” If you are interested in attending, please make sure to register as registration is required!
Event: Family Conference 2024
Date: Saturday November 2nd
Time: 8:30am-3:00pm
Location: Woodroffe High School, 2410 Georgina Drive, Ottawa
Cost: Free
**Pleo and OCDSB will present a workshop on the topic of, “Navigating the Challenges of School Refusal and Avoidance.”
This free workshop will share strategies and insights to help parents, families and caregivers navigate the challenges of school refusal and avoidance for their child, while maintaining a healthy relationship with their child.
In addition to presenting this workshop, Pleo will also have an information table at this event.
Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdG6UVDDg5C9bsMxWH_zMPAaQuI-eqbIoWlDnPyb-obaMdQxw/viewform
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Pleo, en collaboration avec OCDSB Mental Health Team, présentera un atelier lors de cet événement le 2 novembre. L’atelier portera sur le sujet : « Navigating the Challenges of School Refusal and Avoidance ». Si vous souhaitez y participer, n'oubliez pas de vous inscrire, car l'inscription est requise !
Événement : Family Conference 2024
Date : le samedi 2 novembre
Heure : 8h30-15h
Lieu : Woodroffe High School, 2410 Georgina Drive, Ottawa
Coût : Gratuit
**Pleo et OCDSB Mental Health Team présenteront un atelier sur le sujet « Navigating the Challenges of School Refusal and Avoidance ».
Cet atelier gratuit partagera des stratégies et des idées pour aider les parents, les familles et les aidant(e)s à surmonter les défis du refus et de l'évitement scolaire pour leur enfant, tout en maintenant une relation saine avec leur enfant.
En plus de présenter cet atelier, Pleo tiendra également une table d'information lors de cet événement.
Inscrivez-vous ici : docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdG6UVDDg5C9bsMxWH_zMPAaQuI-eqbIoWlDnPyb-obaMdQxw/viewform
Please note: this inbox is not monitored 24/7. If you are in distress or crisis, please call: Youth and Family Crisis Line under 16 yrs (Ottawa area: 613 260 2360, Outside Ottawa: 1 877 377 7775). If you are over 16 yrs (Ottawa: 613 722 6914, Outside Ottawa: 1 866 996 0991). If you are in need of support, or just someone to talk to, call our free Parents’ Helpline open Mon-Fri 9 am-7pm EST to talk with a Family Peer Supporter, by calling us toll free at 1.855.755.7005 or local at 613.321.3211. Questions submitted by parents may be used in our Dear Pleo newsletter and all submissions are confidential and anonymous.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from Pleo, free upcoming events, parent resources and Pleo fundraising initiatives. Occasionally, we will send appeals for donations, testimonials and surveys, to help us serve you better. We are committed to protecting your personal information and privacy, and we will not use, share, or disclose your email for any other purposes. By clicking “Subscribe,” I am giving permission for Pleo to contact me by email. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time.
Where to find Pleo in your community
We are here to help, in communities across Eastern Ontario. Click the link below to find your local Pleo Parent Support Group, or to find a Pleo Family Peer Supporter available at your community mental health agency.