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!
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
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.
Follow us @pleo4families
✨ Special Guest Speaker on May 21st!
We’re thrilled to welcome a special guest speaker to our Britannia Woods Parent Support Group on Wednesday, May 21st.
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 group is co-facilitated by Pleo and Britannia Woods Community House.
Date: Every second Wednesday (the next group is Wednesday May 21st)
Time: 12:30pm-2pm
Location: 2255 Carling Avenue, Unit 201, Ottawa
Free | Confidential | Drop-In
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 21 mai !
Nous sommes ravis d’accueillir un conférencier invité spécial à notre groupe de soutien aux parents de Britannia Woods le mercredi 21 mai.
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 est co-animé par Pleo et Britannia Woods Community House.
Date : Un mercredi sur deux (le prochain groupe aura lieu le mercredi 21 mai)
Heure : de 12h30 à 14h
Lieu : 2255, avenue Carling, unité 201, Ottawa
Gratuit | Confidentiel | Sans rendez-vous
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
Please note that we are closed on Monday May 19 for Victoria Day.
If you or your loved one is in crisis, know that help is available. ☎️ For children and youth aged 17 and under and concerned parents/caregivers, please call the YSB 24/7 Crisis Line at 613.260.2360 (Ottawa) or 1.877.377.7775 (Eastern Ontario). For youth and adults aged 16+ and concerned parents/caregivers, please call the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region Crisis Line at 613.722.6914 (Ottawa) or 1.866.996.0991 (Eastern Ontario). If you are outside of Eastern Ontario, please call 9-8-8 for the Suicide Crisis Helpline.
#OfficeClosure #CrisisResources
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Veuillez noter que nous sommes fermés le lundi 19 mai pour la fête de la Reine.
Si vous ou un proche êtes en crise, sachez que de l'aide est disponible. ☎️ Pour les enfants et les jeunes de 17 ans et moins et les parents/aidant(e)s inquiets, veuillez appeler la ligne de crise 24/7 du BSJ au 613.260.2360 (Ottawa) ou au 1.877.377.7775 (Est de l'Ontario). Pour les jeunes et les adultes de 16 ans et plus et les parents/aidant(e)s inquiets, veuillez appeler la ligne de crise du Centre de détresse d'Ottawa et de la région au 613.722.6914 (Ottawa) ou au 1.866.996.0991 (Est de l'Ontario). Si vous êtes à l’extérieur de l’Est de l’Ontario, veuillez appeler le 9-8-8 pour la ligne d'aide en cas de crise de suicide.
#FermetureDuBureau #RessourcesDeCrise
🌟 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 here: ow.ly/oqSO50VSoT7
This session features The Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada’s 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. This webinar will only be available in English.
We hope you can join us!
*This poster is only available in English*
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🌟 Bien-être émotionnel : une conversation collaborative 🌟
Êtes-vous un(e) aidant(e) ou soutenez-vous un(e) proche vivant avec des défis liés à la santé mentale ou à la dépendance? Ce webinaire gratuit, organisé par la Fondation Matthew Perry du Canada et Pleo, est pour vous ! Rejoignez-nous pour explorer ensemble le bien-être émotionnel, réfléchir à vos besoins, et créer des liens avec d’autres personnes qui comprennent la réalité des aidant(e)s.
📅 Date : 4 juin 2025
⏰ Heure : 13 h à 14 h 30 (HNE)
🔗 Inscription : ow.ly/oqSO50VSoT7
Cette session mettra en vedette Caitlin Morrison, directrice exécutive de la Fondation Matthew Perry du Canada, ainsi que Pamela McPhee-Marinuzzi et Catherine Shea de Pleo, qui partagent une vaste expérience dans l’accompagnement des familles touchées par des enjeux de santé mentale et de dépendance. Ce webinaire sera uniquement disponible en anglais.
Nous espérons que vous pourrez nous rejoindre !
*Cette affiche est uniquement disponible en anglais*
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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