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’s Strategic Planning Survey, Survey Closes on Friday December 13th at 5pm
Have your voice heard and help shape Pleo’s future, by completing our Strategic Planning Survey.
Pleo is asking you to take an active part in designing the organization’s future by participating in our strategic planning process through an online survey.
Pleo – Parents’ Lifeline, provides peer support to parents and caregivers whose children or youth (up to age 25) are struggling with mental health and addiction challenges. Our services, including a helpline, support groups, and mobile peer support, aim to offer guidance, reduce isolation, and help families navigate mental health and addiction resources. All services are free and designed to empower parents through their journeys.
Through the strategic planning process, we intend to shed light on important issues and uncover the most promising opportunities. We are exploring perceptions about how the organization is doing, opportunities and gaps, and how Pleo can better meet the needs of its stakeholders.
The survey:
-Will take approximately 5-10 minutes.
-Is available online until Friday December 13th at 5 pm.
-Includes largely multiple-choice questions.
-Includes an open text box in the final question, for any additional feedback.
Filling in this survey is a great way for you to have your voice heard and make your ideas count. Rest assured, your privacy will be protected. Individuals cannot be identified. Thank you for taking the time to help us create our strategic plan. Your suggestions and feedback are important to us, and your input will help shape Pleo’s future.
Pleo’s GivingTuesday 2024 Fundraiser
This GivingTuesday, give the gift of hope and support to families of suicidal youth.
Funds raised from your donations this GivingTuesday will go towards our Parents of Suicidal Youth Support Group, to help Pleo support families of suicidal youth. This free support group provides support, guidance and connection to parents and caregivers of youth struggling with suicidality (suicidal thoughts, suicidal plans, or suicidal attempts). It helps support the parent or caregiver to support their youth vulnerable to suicide and helps foster the families’ journey to recovery. Your donation is not just a powerful gift of help, but hope.
Help make a difference in the lives of families of suicidal youth by donating to Pleo and help us be there for these families.
Donate Today, Double Your Impact! HR Covered will generously double match every dollar donated, up to $1,000! Donate today and make twice the impact for families, with your gift to Pleo this GivingTuesday.
About GivingTuesday: GivingTuesday is an annual global generosity movement dedicated to spreading generosity and giving back. As a day of global giving, it helps encourage charitable giving to charities and non-profit organizations. This year’s GivingTuesday falls on December 3, 2024. Pleo will be taking part, as we do each year, and we invite you to join us in making an impact! Consider donating to Pleo and getting your friends, family and loved ones involved by sharing this fundraiser with them on social media. Thank you for supporting Pleo this GivingTuesday.
Follow us @pleo4families
Happening next Tuesday:
Join us on December 17th, from 6:30-8pm for a free virtual parent information night. This month’s topic is: “Screen Time”, for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-12 facing mental health or addiction challenges in Eastern Ontario. Participants will find support, learn tools and knowledge and develop skills to help them best support their child facing mental health or addiction challenges. This support group is co-facilitated by Pleo Family Peer Supporters, parents who will bring their own lived experience with this topic to the group, and mental health clinicians from Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth. This support group is in partnership with Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth.
Join here: ow.ly/ZjJR50RXWGB.
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Ça se passe mardi prochain :
Rejoignez-nous le 17 décembre de 18 h 30 à 20 h pour une soirée d'information virtuelle gratuite destinée aux parents. Ce mois-ci, le thème abordé sera : « Temps d'écran », spécifiquement pour les parents et aidant(e)s d'enfants de 0 à 12 ans faisant face à des défis de santé mentale ou de dépendance dans l'Est de l'Ontario. Les participant(e)s auront l'occasion de recevoir du soutien, d'acquérir de nouveaux outils et connaissances, et de développer des compétences pour mieux accompagner leur enfant confronté à ces enjeux. Cette soirée sera co-animée par des aidant(e)s familiaux par les pairs de Pleo, qui partageront leur expérience personnelle sur le sujet, ainsi que des cliniciens en santé mentale d'Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth. Ce groupe de soutien est organisé en partenariat avec Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth.
Rejoignez-nous ici : ow.ly/ZjJR50RXWGB.
New Resource Just Added to Our Website!
Guide for Parents and Caregivers: Supporting Your Child with School Attendance Concerns
This free information brochure is for any parent or caregiver supporting a child that struggles with school attendance.
Written with the collective experience, knowledge and wisdom of Pleo Family Peer Supporters, this guide aims to help you navigate school attendance concerns for your child and understand what supports and resources are available for your family. Inside, you’ll find valuable strategies, key insights, free community resources, and helpful tips from Pleo Family Peer Supporters who have navigated school attendance concerns for their own child, youth or young adult facing a mental health or addiction challenge.
View and download the brochure: ow.ly/yYf650UmywJ
“Guide for Parents and Caregivers: Supporting Your Child with School Attendance Concerns”
Available in 5 languages:
English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Somali
This free information brochure was developed by Pleo Family Peer Supporters in collaboration and consultation with the following organizations: OACAS - Ontario Association for Counselling and Attendance Services, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), Canadian School Attendance Partnership and made possible by funding through the United Way East Ontario - Centraide de l'Est de l'Ontario. We would like to thank these organizations for their invaluable support, expertise and for collaborating with us to develop this information brochure.
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Une nouvelle ressource vient d'être ajoutée à notre site Web !
Guide pour les parents et les aidants familiaux : Comment aider votre enfant qui a des problèmes de fréquentation scolaire
Cette brochure d'information gratuite est destinée aux parents et aux aidants qui accompagnent un enfant rencontrant des difficultés à fréquenter l'école.
Rédigé grâce à l'expérience collective, aux connaissances et à la sagesse des aidants familiaux, ce guide, élaboré par les pairs de Pleo, a pour objectif de vous accompagner dans la gestion des difficultés de fréquentation scolaire de votre enfant. Il vous aide à mieux comprendre les soutiens et ressources disponibles pour votre famille. Vous y trouverez des stratégies pratiques, des informations essentielles, des ressources communautaires gratuites, ainsi que des conseils précieux provenant d'aidants familiaux par les pairs de Pleo ayant surmonté des problèmes similaires avec leur propre enfant, jeune ou jeune adulte confronté à des défis en matière de santé mentale ou de dépendance.
Consultez et téléchargez le guide : ow.ly/ZJAF50UmUQm
« Guide pour les parents et les aidants familiaux : Comment aider votre enfant qui a des problèmes de fréquentation scolaire »
Disponible en 5 langues :
Anglais, français, arabe, chinois, somali
Ce guide d'information gratuit a été conçu par des aidants familiaux par les pairs de Pleo, en collaboration et consultation avec les organismes suivants : Ontario Association for Counselling and Attendance Services (OACAS), Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), et le Partenariat Canadien pour la Fréquentation Scolaire. Ce projet a été rendu possible grâce au financement du Centraide de l'Est de l'Ontario. Nous exprimons notre sincère gratitude envers ces organismes pour leur soutien précieux, leur expertise et leur contribution à l'élaboration de ce guide.
Our survey has been extended until Friday Dec 13th at 5pm. Your voice matters - we want to hear from you!
Have your voice heard and help shape Pleo’s future, by completing our Strategic Planning Survey.📝
Pleo is asking you to take an active part in designing the organization’s future by participating in our strategic planning process through an online survey.
Pleo – Parents’ Lifeline, provides peer support to parents and caregivers whose children or youth (up to age 25) are struggling with mental health and addiction challenges. Our services, including a helpline, support groups, and mobile peer support, aim to offer guidance, reduce isolation, and help families navigate mental health and addiction resources. All services are free and designed to empower parents through their journeys.
Through the strategic planning process, we intend to shed light on important issues and uncover the most promising opportunities. We are exploring perceptions about how the organization is doing, opportunities and gaps, and how Pleo can better meet the needs of its stakeholders.
The survey:
-Will take approximately 5-10 minutes.
-Is available online until Friday December 13th at 5 pm.
-Includes largely multiple-choice questions.
-Includes an open text box in the final question, for any additional feedback.
Filling in this survey is a great way for you to have your voice heard and make your ideas count. Rest assured, your privacy will be protected. Individuals cannot be identified.
Thank you for taking the time to help us create our strategic plan. Your suggestions and feedback are important to us, and your input will help shape Pleo's future.
Complete the Survey here📝
forms.gle/w2idPoMf4VWjwEDC9
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Notre sondage a été prolongée jusqu'au vendredi 13 décembre à 17h. Votre voix compte – nous voulons vous entendre !
Faites entendre votre voix et aidez participer activement à l’élaboration de l’avenir de Pleo, en répondant à notre sondage sur la planification stratégique.📝
Pleo vous demande de prendre une part active à la conception de l’avenir de l’organisation en participant à notre processus de planification stratégique via une sondage en ligne.
Pleo – Offre un soutien par les pairs aux parents et aux aidant(e)s dont les enfants ou les jeunes (jusqu’à 25 ans) sont aux prises avec des défis de santé mentale et de dépendance. Nos services, notamment une ligne d'aide téléphonique, des groupes de soutien et un soutien mobile par les pairs, visent à offrir des pistes, à réduire l'isolement et à aider les familles à naviguer dans les ressources en santé mentale et de dépendance. Tous les services sont gratuits et conçus pour responsabiliser les parents et aidant(e)s tout au long de leur parcours.
Grâce au processus de planification stratégique, nous entendons mettre en lumière les enjeux importants et découvrir les opportunités les plus prometteuses. Nous explorons les pratiques communes sur le fonctionnement de l'organisme, les opportunités et les lacunes, et les façons dont Pleo peut mieux répondre aux besoins de ses parties prenantes.
Le sondage :
-Cela prendra environ 5 à 10 minutes.
-Est disponible en ligne jusqu'au vendredi 13 décembre à 17h.
-Comprend en grande partie des questions à choix multiples.
-Inclut une section dont vous pouvez inclure vos commentaires supplémentaires sous forme de texte dans la question finale.
Répondre à ce sondage est un excellent moyen pour vous de faire entendre votre voix et de faire valoir vos idées. Rassurez-vous, votre information et vie privée sera protégée. Les individus ne peuvent pas être identifiés.
Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous aider à créer notre plan stratégique. Vos suggestions et commentaires sont importants pour nous, et votre contribution contribuera à élaborer l’avenir de Pleo.
Compléter le sondage ici 📝
forms.gle/w2idPoMf4VWjwEDC9
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.