Helping parents of children facing mental health challenges find their way forward Find support near you 🤝
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.
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
Free Webinar: Emotional Wellness: A Collaborative Conversation
Are you a caregiver or someone supporting a loved one through mental health or addiction challenges? This free webinar, hosted by the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada and Pleo, is for you! Join us as we explore emotional wellness, reflect on our needs, and connect with others who understand the caregiver experience.
Date: June 4th, 2025
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM EST
Register Now
This session features Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada Executive Director, Caitlin Morrison, and Pamela McPhee-Marinuzzi and Catherine Shea from Pleo, who bring a wealth of experience supporting families through mental health and addiction challenges. We hope you can join us!
Journaling as a Wellness Tool Virtual Group
Discover journaling as a tool for wellness and express yourself through journaling, in this fun and interactive group! No writing experience is needed. For parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (ages 0-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges.
Date: June 26th – August 21, 2025 Time: 6:00PM – 7:30PM EST Register Now
Topics for Discussion: Make Connections, Emotional Vocabulary, Letter Writing and Lists, Gratitude and Intentions, Self-Esteem Journaling, Creative Journaling and Evaluation.
Do you have one or more children experiencing mental health, addiction or developmental issues?
What’s Involved?-
Attend one session (see dates below)
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Share your thoughts on the goals, challenges, and needs of families
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Help design a tool that works for real-life family journeys
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Receive a $100 honorarium for your time and contribution
Session Options (first come, first served):-
Wednesday, June 18 | 6:00–7:00 PM | In person at St-Laurent Complex, Ottawa
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Tuesday, June 24 | 12:00–1:00 PM | Online
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Monday, July 7 | 6:00–7:00 PM | Online
See the attached poster for full details and to share with others.
Dr. Lysanne Lessard
613-562-5800 x2468
lessard@telfer.uottawa.ca
This study has been approved by the University of Ottawa’s Ethics Review Board (Ref #: S-05-24-10287).
All of Pleo’s services are free to join and funded by our funders, donors and sponsors.
Please note – In addition to our on-site mobile one-on-one support, we have bilingual Family Peer Supporters available by virtual appointment at:
Embrun – Valoris for Children and Adults of Prescott-Russell (8 Valoris Street, Embrun)
Rockland – Valoris for Children and Adults of Prescott-Russell (860 Caron Street, Unit #1, Rockland)
Cornwall and SDG Youth Wellness Hub (212 Pitt Street, Cornwall)
Rockland and PR Youth Wellness Hub (1517 Laurier Street, Rockland)
If you are interested in booking a virtual appointment at any of the above, please contact Chantal, Team Lead of Support Groups, at chantal@pleo.on.ca
Follow us @pleo4families
✨ Special Guest Speaker on June 4th!
We’re thrilled to welcome a special guest speaker to our Britannia Woods Parent Support Group on Wednesday, June 4th.
Please join us for an insightful and supportive session with Yvonne Duala-Ekoko, Child and Family Therapist with Crossroads Children's Mental Health Centre. She’ll be sharing information on the services offered by Crossroads, and guiding us through a presentation on: identifying triggers, understanding lagging skills, and recognizing outcome behaviours in kids.
Join us for a safe and supportive space where you can connect, share experiences, and find support with a community who understands. This free support group is co-facilitated by Pleo and Britannia Woods Community House.
📅Date: Every second Wednesday (the next group is Wednesday June 4th)
🕛Time: 12:30pm-2pm
📍Location: 2255 Carling Avenue, Unit 201, Ottawa
This support group is for parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (ages 0-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges. This group is for parents and caregivers who are part of the Britannia Woods Community.
No registration needed – just drop-in to join!
This support group is in partnership with Britannia Woods Community House.
#PeerSupport #SupportGroup #BritanniaWoods
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✨ Conférencier invité spécial le 4 juin !
Nous sommes ravis d’accueillir un conférencier invité spécial à notre groupe de soutien aux parents de Britannia Woods le mercredi 4 juin.
Rejoignez-nous pour une session enrichissante et encourageante avec Yvonne Duala-Ekoko, thérapeute pour enfants et familles au Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre. Elle partagera des informations sur les services offerts par Crossroads et nous guidera à travers une présentation sur : l’identification des déclencheurs, la compréhension des compétences à la traîne et la reconnaissance des comportements de résultat chez les enfants.
Rejoignez-nous pour un espace sûr et solidaire où vous pourrez échanger, partager vos expériences et trouver du soutien auprès d'une communauté qui vous comprend. Ce groupe de soutien gratuit est co-animé par Pleo et la Maison communautaire Britannia Woods.
📅Date : Un mercredi sur deux (le prochain groupe aura lieu le mercredi 4 juin)
🕛Heure : de 12h30 à 14h
📍Lieu : 2255, avenue Carling, unité 201, Ottawa
Ce groupe de soutien s'adresse aux parents et aux aidant(e)s d'enfants, de jeunes et de jeunes adultes (0-25 ans) confrontés à des défis de santé mentale ou de dépendance. Ce groupe s'adresse aux parents et aux aidant(e)s de la communauté Britannia Woods.
Aucune inscription necessaire. Venez nous rejoindre sans rendez vous !
Ce groupe de soutien est en partenariat avec la Maison communautaire Britannia Woods.
#SoutienParLesPairs #GroupeDeSoutien #BritanniaWoods
🌟Step Parents Week 🌟
This #StepParentsWeek and every day, we celebrate the contributions of step parents to families and we celebrate the love, guidance, care, and support they provide to children and youth. We also celebrate and recognize the vital role step parents play in nurturing and supporting children and youth.
If you are a step parent supporting a child, youth, or young adult (ages 0-25) struggling with mental health or addiction challenges, and are in need of support, guidance, or just someone to talk to who understands, we’re here for you. Call our free Parents’ Helpline open Monday to Friday, 9 am-7pm EST. You can call us at 1.855.775.7005 (toll free) or you can call us local (Ottawa) at 613.321.3211. You can also find resources and support near you, by visiting our website at pleo.on.ca.
#CelebratingStepParents
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🌟 Semaine des beaux-parents 🌟
En cette #SemaineDesBeauxParents — et chaque jour — nous célébrons les contributions précieuses des beaux-parents au sein des familles. Nous rendons hommage à l’amour, aux conseils, aux soins et au soutien qu’ils(elles) offrent aux enfants et aux jeunes, et reconnaissons le rôle essentiel qu’ils(elles) jouent avec bienveillance. Être beau-parent, c’est souvent aimer sans condition, guider avec délicatesse et soutenir sans toujours être vu. Aujourd’hui, nous vous voyons. Et nous vous célébrons.
Si vous êtes un(e) beau-parent qui soutient un enfant, un(e) jeune ou un(e) jeune adulte (0-25 ans) aux prises avec des enjeux de santé mentale ou de dépendance, vous n’êtes pas seul(e). Nous sommes là pour vous offrir écoute, conseils et soutien, avec des personnes qui comprennent vraiment ce que vous vivez. Appelez notre ligne d’aide gratuite pour les parents, ouverte du lundi au vendredi de 9h à 19h HNE. Vous pouvez nous appeler au 1.855.775.7005 (sans frais) ou au 613.321.3211 (localement à Ottawa). Vous pouvez également trouver des ressources et du soutien près de chez vous en consultant notre site web à pleo.on.ca/fr.
#CélébrerLesBeauxParents
🌍Today is Global Day of Parents.
On this #GlobalDayOfParents and every day, we celebrate the essential role parents and parent figures’ play in their child or loved one’s life and we celebrate the love, care, guidance and support they provide. We honour the strength, resilience, courage, and sacrifices of parents and parent figures — especially those supporting children, youth, and young adults facing mental health or addiction challenges.
As an organization of parents who have supported our own children, youth, and young adults with these challenges — we deeply understand the reality that many families face, and we understand how overwhelming it can often be.
At Pleo, we are committed to supporting families of children, youth, and young adults (ages 0-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges in their journeys, offering support, resources, understanding, and hope. We understand the important role parents play in their child’s life and we know they can’t and need not do it alone. We’re here to support you and your family – with empathy, understanding, and unwavering support.
To all those we’ve had the privilege of supporting: thank you. We are proud to walk alongside you and be a part of your family’s journey.
#WeStandWithYou #ThankYou
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🌍 Aujourd’hui, c’est la Journée mondiale des parents.
En cette #JournéeMondialeDesParents, et chaque jour, nous célébrons le rôle essentiel des parents et des figures parentales dans la vie des enfants, des adolescent(e)s et des jeunes adultes. Nous honorons leur amour, leurs soins, leurs conseils et leur soutien continu. Nous saluons leur force, leur résilience, leur courage et les sacrifices qu’ils font, en particulier lorsqu’ils accompagnent un jeune confronté à des enjeux de santé mentale ou de dépendance.
En tant qu'organisation fondée par des parents ayant eux-mêmes soutenu leurs enfants dans ces parcours, nous comprenons profondément les défis auxquels font face tant de familles. Nous savons à quel point cela peut être difficile et parfois accablant.
Chez Pleo, nous nous engageons à accompagner les familles d’enfants, de jeunes et de jeunes adultes (0 à 25 ans) confrontés à des défis en santé mentale ou en dépendance. Nous offrons soutien, ressources, écoute et espoir, parce que personne ne devrait avoir à traverser cela seul.
Aux familles que nous avons le privilège d’accompagner : merci. Nous sommes fiers d’être à vos côtés, avec empathie, compréhension et soutien constant.
#NousSommesAvecVous #Merci
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.
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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.