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.
Pleo Events & Webinars
Pleo’s Family/Caregiver Advisory Committee: Call For Members
Pleo is a family-led, non-profit organization supporting parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (up to age 25) facing mental health or addiction challenges in Eastern Ontario. We are looking for parents, caregivers, and family members with lived...
Parent/Caregiver Information Session from Pleo and Open Doors Mental Health (ODMH), “Window of Tolerance”
Join Pleo and Open Doors Mental Health (ODMH) on October 28, for an evening of learning and support. This month’s information session will cover the subject of “Window of Tolerance”, for parents and caregivers supporting children and youth (ages 0-12) facing mental...
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Join Pleo, Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC), and Heroes Circle for a free workshop designed to support families navigating ADHD.
This engaging workshop will include an information session and a class. While parents and caregivers take part in an information session led by Pleo and WOCRC on supporting children and youth with ADHD, children and youth (ages 5–17) will participate in a class facilitated by Heroes Circle that combines martial arts with breathing and relaxation techniques to help kids build resilience.
This workshop is for parents and caregivers to attend together with children or youth (ages 5-17). Children and youth must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required.
The event is being held on November 27th, from 6:30-8:00pm at Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (2 MacNeil Court, Kanata).
Come join us for this engaging workshop and leave with practical tools, strategies, and tips to support children and youth with ADHD.
To register, please contact Angela Lorusso at: lorusso@wocrc.ca
#Workshop #FamilySupport
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Joignez-vous à Pleo, CRCOO et à Heroes Circle pour un atelier conçu spécialement pour accompagner les familles qui vivent avec les défis du TDAH.
Pendant que les parents et les aidant·e·s participeront à une séance d’information offerte par Pleo et le CRCOO, les enfants et les jeunes (5–17 ans) prendront part à une activité dynamique facilitée par Heroes Circle, où les arts martiaux se combinent à des techniques de respiration et de détente afin de favoriser le bien-être et la confiance.
Cet atelier se déroule en duo parent/enfant et nécessite une inscription préalable.
Rendez-vous le 27 novembre, de 18 h 30 à 20 h, au Centre de ressources communautaires de l’Ouest d’Ottawa (2, cour MacNeil, Kanata).
Venez profiter d’un moment riche d’apprentissage et repartez avec des outils concrets, des stratégies simples et des pistes pour soutenir les jeunes vivant avec un TDAH.
Pour vous inscrire, contactez Angela Lorusso : lorusso@wocrc.ca
#Atelier #SoutienAuxFamilles
Supporting a child, youth, or young adult facing mental health or addiction challenges can be challenging, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
This free peer support group meets on the last Monday of the month from 6:30pm–8:00pm at Willow Wellness in Richmond (5944 Perth Street). Facilitated by Pleo Family Peer Supporters with lived experience, this group offers a safe, supportive space where you can connect, share experiences, and find support with a community that understands. This group is for parents and caregivers supporting youth or young adults (ages 13-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges.
Date: Monday November 24, 2025
Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm
Location: Willow Wellness (5944 Perth Street, Richmond)
Whether it’s your first time or you’ve joined us before, you are always welcome. No registration required—just drop in when you need support. The next meeting is on November 24 at 6:30pm.
This support group is offered in partnership and collaboration with Willow Wellness and Rural Ottawa Youth Mental Health Collective.
#PeerSupport #SupportGroup
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Soutenir un enfant, un·e adolescent·e ou un·e jeune adulte confronté·e à des défis de santé mentale ou de dépendance peut être difficile, mais vous n’avez pas à le faire seul·e.
Ce groupe de soutien par les pairs gratuit se réunit le dernier lundi du mois, de 18 h 30 à 20 h, au Willow Wellness à Richmond (5944, rue Perth). Animé par des Aidant·e·s par les pairs familiaux de Pleo ayant une expérience vécue, ce groupe offre un espace sûr et bienveillant où vous pouvez échanger, partager vos expériences et trouver du soutien auprès d’une communauté qui comprend votre situation. Ce groupe s’adresse aux parents et aidant·e·s soutenant des jeunes de 13 à 25 ans confronté·e·s à des défis de santé mentale ou de dépendance.
Date : Lundi 24 novembre 2025
Heure : 18 h 30 – 20 h
Lieu : Willow Wellness (5944, rue Perth, Richmond)
Que ce soit votre première participation ou que vous ayez déjà rejoint le groupe, vous êtes toujours les bienvenu·e·s. Aucune inscription n’est requise — venez simplement quand vous avez besoin de soutien. La prochaine rencontre aura lieu le 24 novembre à 18 h 30.
Ce groupe de soutien est offert en partenariat avec Willow Wellness et le Rural Ottawa Youth Mental Health Collective.
#SoutienParLesPairs #GroupeDeSoutien
🌟 Pleo’s Family/Caregiver Advisory Committee: Call For Members 🌟
Pleo is a family-led, non-profit organization supporting parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (up to age 25) facing mental health or addiction challenges in Eastern Ontario.
We are looking for parents, caregivers, and family members with lived and/or living experience supporting a child, youth, or young adult facing mental health or addiction challenges, who are interested in joining Pleo’s Family/Caregiver Advisory Committee. Applicants must have previously accessed or currently be using Pleo services.
Why Join the Committee:
• Help shape Pleo’s programs, services, and policies
• Share your lived experiences and perspectives, and offer insights on culturally safe and trauma-informed practices
• Help co-design initiatives to improve the care system for children and youth
• Build leadership and advocacy skills through training, mentorship, and peer learning
• Make a positive impact for children, youth, young adults, caregivers, and families
Commitment: Willing to attend approximately 6 to 8 meetings per year and participate in related activities. Flexible 1 year term, renewable for up to 2 additional years.
Timeline: First meeting being held in late October 2025; applications accepted on an open basis until December 31, 2025.
Join us in making a meaningful difference for children, youth, young adults, caregivers, and families.
To apply, please complete the Expression of Interest Form: forms.office.com/r/n3he5f3ppa
#CallForMembers #MakeADifference
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🌟 Comité consultatif Familles / Aidant-e-s de Pleo : Appel à candidatures 🌟
Pleo est un organisme à but non lucratif dirigé par des familles, qui soutient les parents et aidant·e·s de jeunes de 0 à 25 ans confrontés à des défis en santé mentale ou en dépendance dans l’Est de l'Ontario.
Nous recherchons des parents, des aidant-e-s et des membres de familles ayant une expérience vécue et/ou en cours d’accompagnement d’un enfant, d’un jeune ou d’un jeune adulte confronté à des défis de santé mentale ou de dépendance, et qui souhaitent se joindre au Comité consultatif Familles / Aidant-e-s de Pleo. Les candidat·e·s doivent avoir déjà eu recours aux services de Pleo ou les utiliser actuellement.
Pourquoi rejoindre :
• Contribuer directement à l’élaboration des programmes, services et politiques de Pleo.
• Partager votre expérience vécue et proposer des pratiques culturellement sécuritaires et adaptées aux traumatismes.
• Co-concevoir des initiatives visant à améliorer le parcours de soins des enfants et des jeunes.
• Développer vos compétences en leadership et en plaidoyer grâce à la formation, au mentorat et à l’apprentissage entre pairs.
• Avoir un impact concret auprès des enfants, des jeunes, des jeunes adultes, des aidant·e·s et des familles.
Engagement : Participer à environ 6–8 réunions par an et aux activités associées, pour un mandat d’un an renouvelable jusqu’à deux années supplémentaires.
Première réunion : Fin octobre 2025. Candidatures acceptées jusqu’au 31 décembre 2025.
Rejoignez-nous pour faire une réelle différence auprès des enfants, des jeunes, des jeunes adultes, des aidant·e·s et des familles.
Pour poser votre candidature, veuillez remplir le formulaire d’intérêt : forms.office.com/r/n3he5f3ppa
#AppelAuxMembres #FaitesLaDifférence
đź’¬ Your November newsletter is here!
Read it now: mailchi.mp/pleo/connect-november-2025
If you’d like to receive our newsletter directly to your inbox each month, you can also join our email list here: eepurl.com/gyjui5
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💬 Votre infolettre de novembre est arrivée !
Lisez-la dès maintenant : mailchi.mp/pleo/connect-november-2025
Si vous souhaitez recevoir notre infolettre directement dans votre boîte courriel chaque mois, vous pouvez également vous inscrire ici : eepurl.com/gyjui5
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.