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.
Pleo-Parents’ Lifelines Presents: An Evening with Dr. Jean Clinton, Tuesday April 8 2025 from 6:30pm-9:30pm, Nepean Sportsplex
On Tuesday April 8th, we invite you to join us for a special evening with Dr. Jean Clinton, as she shares her expert insights on parenting. Pleo-Parents’ Lifelines is thrilled to host this exciting event where you can learn from one of the leading experts in the field.
This free event will also feature a Resource Fair where you will have the opportunity to explore community partner information tables and discover valuable resources and services for your family, being offered in our community by Community Partners.
Date: Tuesday April 8th, 2025
Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm
Location: Nepean Sportsplex (Halls A & B), 1701 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa
Cost: Free
Additional Information: Simultaneous translation (English to French) will be offered throughout Dr. Clinton’s presentation
Register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1269894632029
Event Agenda:
- 6:30pm-7:00pm (Resource Fair with Community Partners)
- 7:00pm-8:30pm (Dr. Jean Clinton’s presentation: The Power of Connection: You are the Key)
Our relationships with our children are at the heart of what builds resilience—whether they’re one year old, eleven, or twenty. There is a powerful tool we can use called repair. This talk will focus on the brain and how experiences literally sculpt its development and what you can do to maximize and repair. - 8:30pm-9:30pm (Resource Fair Continues)
This event is made possible through the generous support of the following sponsors: Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB), Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre, Ottawa Public Health, University of Ottawa, Parent Resource Centre (PRC), CHEO, Le Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE), Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB), Le Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO), Extremeline Productions, and Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB).
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to gain valuable knowledge, discover resources and services available in our community and connect with other parents and caregivers!
Follow us @pleo4families
Every day, we celebrate the strength and resilience of families, and the unwavering love shared within families.
Today, in honour of #WorldAutismAwarenessDay, we’re proud to share a heartfelt testimonial from Wendy, a parent supporting a child with Autism. Wendy found comfort, community, connection, and empowerment through attending one of Pleo’s parent support groups.
Her inspiring testimonial is a reminder of the power of support and community, and the meaningful difference we can make, together, in the lives of families.
#Pleo25Years #StrongerTogether #HopeAndSolidarity #StoriesOfResilience
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Chaque jour, nous rendons hommage à la force, à la résilience et à l’amour inconditionnel des familles.
En cette #JournéeMondialeDeSensibilisationÀL'Autisme, nous souhaitons partager le témoignage inspirant de Wendy, une maman qui accompagne son enfant autiste. En rejoignant un groupe de soutien aux parents de Pleo, elle a trouvé réconfort, entraide et un véritable soutien pour avancer avec assurance.
Son parcours nous rappelle à quel point le soutien et la solidarité peuvent faire toute la différence dans la vie des familles. Ensemble, nous bâtissons une communauté plus forte et bienveillante.
#Pleo25Ans #PlusFortsEnsemble #EspoirEtSolidarité #HistoiresDeRésilience
Today, on #NationalCaregiverDay and every day, we honour and recognize the unwavering dedication, strength, courage and resilience of caregivers.
Caregivers are the backbone of families and communities, providing vital support, compassion and care to those in need. The work caregivers do is invaluable and leaves a lasting impact, and their contributions help strengthen families and communities.
To all caregivers, thank you for your sacrifices and dedication. We honour and celebrate you today, and every day.
Remember, your well-being matters, too. Take time for yourself. 🌼
#CaregiversMatter #ThankYouCaregivers
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Aujourd’hui, en cette #JournéeNationaledesAidant(e)s et chaque jour, nous rendons hommage à la force, au courage et à la résilience des aidant(e)s.
Les aidant(e)s sont au cœur des familles et des communautés, offrant un soutien essentiel, de la compassion et des soins à ceux et celles qui en ont besoin. Leur engagement est inestimable, laissant un impact durable et contribuant à renforcer les liens familiaux et communautaires.
À tous les aidant(e)s, merci pour votre engagement et vos sacrifices. Nous vous célébrons aujourd’hui et chaque jour.
Et surtout, n’oubliez pas que votre bien-être compte aussi. Prenez soin de vous. 🌼
#LesAidant(e)sComptent #MerciAidant(e)s
🕯️In Memory of Riley Taylor🕯️
Today, we pause to honour the life and enduring legacy of Riley Taylor.
Riley was a talented Ottawa musician, and cherished son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend, who was loved by all who knew him. His passions were many, but he loved music, playing guitar and drums, and spending time with his beloved family, and adored Chihuahua, Archer. Three years ago today, Riley passed away from an accidental opioid overdose.
On this day, the third anniversary of Riley’s passing, we pause and honour his life, the positive impact he had on those around him, and the love he shared with his family. Riley’s spirit continues to live on in our hearts, and his impact on the lives of those around him, will never be forgotten.
In loving memory of Riley, his mother established a memorial fund with Pleo to provide support to other families supporting a child or youth experiencing substance use, addictions, or mental health challenges. This memorial fund will directly support our Parents’ Helpline service, helping ensure that families receive the critical support, guidance, and resources they need during difficult times. Through this generous gift, Riley’s legacy will continue to make a lasting impact, providing hope and support to families in need.
Riley’s mother, Christine, shared that she chose to support Pleo because of the immense comfort and support she received from using our services, which provided her with the strength and hope she needed during a difficult time. She wants other families navigating similar challenges to have access to the same support that helped her, when she needed it most. She also wants other families to know that they are not alone, and that there is hope.
Riley’s mother shared with us:
“I went to community groups like Pleo. I used their phone support line for over 2 years – calling 2 or 3 times a week in the beginning and eventually weaning myself down to once a week, speaking each time with my wonderful and supportive family peer support worker through thick and thin. Her son had a different but similar situation, and we really bonded. It was good to have someone to talk to, in a safe space, who understood the fears and emotions, who ‘gets’ what you are going through and the roller coaster that life has become."
Pleo is deeply grateful to Riley’s mother for her generous support and for giving us the opportunity to continue honouring Riley’s legacy through this memorial fund, which will help provide crucial support for families facing substance use, addictions, and mental health challenges.
Riley will always be remembered as a kind, thoughtful, and deeply caring individual whose presence touched the lives of so many. Today, as we stand together in remembrance, let’s honour Riley’s life by spreading compassion, empathy, and kindness. Together, we can ensure Riley’s spirit continues to inspire and uplift others in our community, creating a lasting legacy of love, support, and hope.
Your spirit lives on in all our hearts, Riley.
#RememberingRiley #InMemoryOfRiley #LegacyOfLove #LegacyOfHope #AlwaysInOurHearts
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🕯️ En mémoire de Riley Taylor 🕯️
Aujourd’hui, nous prenons un moment pour honorer la vie et l’héritage précieux de Riley Taylor.
Riley était un musicien talentueux d'Ottawa, un fils, un frère, un petit-fils, un neveu, un cousin et un ami précieux, aimé de tous celles et ceux qui l'ont connu(e). Passionné par la musique, il aimait jouer de la guitare et de la batterie, et chérissait les moments passés avec sa famille et son fidèle chihuahua, Archer. Il y a trois ans aujourd'hui, Riley nous a quittés à la suite d'une surdose accidentelle d'opioïdes.
En ce jour marquant le troisième anniversaire du départ de Riley, nous prenons un moment pour honorer sa vie, l’impact positif qu’iel a eu sur son entourage et l’amour qu’iel partageait avec sa famille. Son esprit continue de vivre dans nos cœurs, et l’empreinte qu’il a laissé dans la vie de celles et ceux qui l’ont connu(e) ne sera jamais oubliée.
En mémoire de Riley, sa mère a créé un fonds commémoratif avec Pleo pour soutenir d'autres familles accompagnant un enfant ou un jeune confronté à des défis liés à la consommation de substances, aux dépendances ou à la santé mentale. Ce fonds viendra directement soutenir notre service d’aide téléphonique pour parents, afin de garantir que les familles reçoivent le soutien essentiel, les conseils et les ressources nécessaires dans les moments difficiles. Grâce à ce geste généreux, l'héritage de Riley continuera à avoir un impact durable, apportant espoir et soutien aux familles qui en ont besoin.
La mère de Riley, Christine, a partagé qu'elle a choisi de soutenir Pleo en raison du réconfort et du soutien immenses qu'elle a reçus en utilisant nos services, qui lui ont apporté la force et l'espoir dont elle avait besoin pendant une période difficile. Elle souhaite que d'autres familles confrontées à des défis similaires aient accès au même soutien qui l'a aidée, lorsqu'elle en avait le plus besoin. Elle veut également que les autres familles sachent qu'elles ne sont pas seules et qu'il y a de l'espoir.
La mère de Riley nous a partagé :
« Je suis allée à des groupes communautaires comme Pleo et utilisé leur ligne d’aide téléphonique pendant plus de deux ans. Au début, j'appelais deux ou trois fois par semaine, puis j'ai progressivement diminué à une fois par semaine, chaque appel étant l'occasion de parler avec ma merveilleuse intervenante en soutien par les pairs. Son fils vivait une situation différente mais semblable à la mienne, et nous avons vraiment tissé un lien. C’était précieux d’avoir quelqu’un à qui parler, dans un espace sûr, qui comprenait mes peurs et mes émotions, qui ‘savait’ ce que je traversais, cette montagne russe émotionnelle que devient la vie dans ces moments-là. »
Pleo est profondément reconnaissant envers la mère de Riley pour son soutien généreux et pour nous avoir donné l’opportunité de continuer à honorer l’héritage de Riley à travers ce fonds commémoratif, qui aidera à fournir un soutien crucial aux familles confrontées à des défis liés à consommation de substances, aux dépendances et à la santé mentale.
Riley restera à jamais dans nos cœurs comme une personne bienveillante, attentionnée et profondément généreuse, dont l'impact a touché de nombreuses vies. Aujourd’hui, en nous réunissant pour honorer sa mémoire, rendons hommage à sa vie en partageant la compassion, l’empathie et la gentillesse. Ensemble, nous pouvons faire en sorte que l’esprit de Riley continue d'inspirer et de soutenir les autres au sein de notre communauté, créant ainsi un héritage durable d’amour, de solidarité et d’espoir.
Riley, ton esprit demeure à jamais dans nos cœurs.
#EnMémoireDeRiley #SouvenirDeRiley #HéritageDAmour #HéritageDEspoir #ToujoursDansNosCœurs
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.