Virtual Support Groups
We are here to help, in communities across Eastern Ontario.
We’re here for you on our Parents’ Helpline, in our Parent Support Groups, and on-site at partner agencies.
Parent Support Groups (Virtual)
Find support, learn from others’ experiences, share information and resources, and build your sense of community in a safe, confidential space. Peer-facilitated by Pleo Family Peer Supporters. Virtual and held on Zoom. All virtual support groups are drop-in, with exception to Parents of Suicidal Youth Virtual Support Group (By registration only).
Drop-In Virtual Parent Support Group for Parents and Caregivers of Youth. For parents and caregivers of youth and young adults (ages 13-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges. Held on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Location: Virtual (Zoom)
This free drop-in virtual peer support group for parents and caregivers of youth and young adults (ages 13-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges, is held on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on Zoom and peer-facilitated by two Pleo Family Peer Supporters.
Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83150489909
Parent/Caregiver Neurodevelopmental Drop-In Virtual Support Group for parents and caregivers of children or youth (ages 0-18) navigating neurodevelopmental challenges or neurodivergence. Held on the last Thursday of each month. Location: Virtual (Zoom)
This free drop-in virtual peer support group for parents and caregivers of children and youth (ages 0-18) navigating neurodevelopmental challenges or neurodivergence, is held on the last Thursday of each month from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on Zoom and peer-facilitated by two Pleo Family Peer Supporters.
This support group is offered in collaboration with CHEO Neurodevelopmental Health (NDH).
Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82156923203
Parents of Suicidal Youth Virtual Support Group for parents and caregivers of suicidal youth and young adults to age 25. Held on Wednesdays. Location: Virtual (Zoom) *By registration only
Connect with other parents and caregivers of suicidal youth and young adults in this free, eight-week online peer support group offered by Pleo and The Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre.
Every Wednesday, 7:00–8:30 PM (Sept 23–Nov 11, 2026).
Designed for caregivers supporting youth and young adults up to age 25 who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or attempts, this group provides a safe, supportive space to connect with others who understand, share experiences, and build practical skills.
Over eight weeks, participants will learn about:
- Suicide risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs
- The impact of mental health, substance use, and addictions on suicidality
- Crisis response and collaborative safety planning
- Strategies to support their child’s mental well-being
- Communication tools for building trust and encouraging open conversation
- Community resources, services, and crisis supports
- Caregiver coping strategies and self-care practices
Sessions are co-facilitated by a Pleo Family Peer Supporter and an Addictions Counsellor from The Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre.
Registration for this session is now open: https://ow.ly/Rxw850ZALRw
Virtual Groups
Journaling as a Wellness Tool Virtual Group for parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (ages 0-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges. Every Thursday. Location: Virtual (Zoom) *By registration only
Journaling as a Wellness Tool is a free, interactive 9-week virtual group for parents and caregivers supporting children, youth, and young adults (ages 0–25) facing mental health or addiction challenges.
The group offers a welcoming, guided space to pause, reflect, and explore journaling as a way to support your well-being. Through simple writing exercises and weekly topics such as emotional vocabulary, gratitude and intentions, self-esteem, letter writing, lists, and creative journaling, you’ll have an opportunity to put words to experiences that can sometimes be hard to express.
The group is co-facilitated by a Pleo Family Peer Supporter and peer facilitator Anita Manley, with a focus on creating a space that respects your voice, your pace, and your privacy.
No writing experience is needed. There will be time to write during each session, but sharing is always optional.
What you’ll need: a journal or paper, something to write with, an internet-connected device, and Zoom access.
Space is limited to 12 participants and registration is required.
Registration for this session is now open: https://ow.ly/FWqm50ZEpOx
SMART Recovery Family and Friends Drop-In Virtual Support Group, for family members and friends of loved ones struggling with addictions or addictive behaviours. Every Thursday. Location: Virtual (Zoom)
This free drop-in virtual peer support group meets every Thursday from 7:00pm–8:30pm on Zoom. It offers a safe, supportive space where family members and friends (aged 18 or older) supporting a loved one struggling with addictions or addictive behaviours can connect, share information and resources, and find support with a community that understands.
Inspired by the SMART Recovery Family & Friends program, this group draws from compassionate, evidence-based approaches such as CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training), that aim to empower family members and friends with practical tools and strategies to encourage positive change in their loved one struggling with addiction or addictive behaviours, while prioritizing their own well-being. This group offers a safe space to explore practical tools and strategies that can help you: improve communication with your loved one, set healthy boundaries, cope more effectively, take care of your own emotional and physical well-being, and support your loved one to move towards recovery.
This support group is co-facilitated and offered in partnership and collaboration with Sandy Hill Community Health Centre.
Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/293138126
Virtual Parent and Caregiver Information Night for parents and caregivers of children and youth (ages 0-12) facing mental health or addiction challenges. Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Pleo and Open Doors Mental Health (ODMH) have paused our Parent and Caregiver Information Nights for the summer. Sessions will resume in the fall. Stay tuned as we will be sharing more information at that time.
French SMART Recovery Family and Friends Drop-In Virtual Support Group, for family members and friends of loved ones struggling with addictions or addictive behaviours. Second Monday of each month. Location: Virtual (Zoom)
This free drop-in virtual peer support group, offered in French, meets on the second Monday of each month from 6:30pm–8:00pm on Zoom. It offers a safe, supportive space where family members and friends (aged 18 or older) supporting a loved one struggling with addictions or addictive behaviours can connect, share information and resources, and find support with a community that understands.
Inspired by the SMART Recovery Family & Friends program, this group draws from compassionate, evidence-based approaches such as CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training), that aim to empower family members and friends with practical tools and strategies to encourage positive change in their loved one struggling with addiction or addictive behaviours, while prioritizing their own well-being. This group offers a safe space to explore practical tools and strategies that can help you: improve communication with your loved one, set healthy boundaries, cope more effectively, take care of your own emotional and physical well-being, and support your loved one to move towards recovery.
This support group is facilitated and offered by Pleo, and is offered in French.
Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87601534643
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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
Pleo September Calendar / Calendrier de septembre de Pleo
Pleo September Calendar / Calendrier de septembre de Pleo
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August 30, 2026
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September 19, 2026
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September 26, 2026
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September 27, 2026
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October 3, 2026
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Just knowing you guys are there on the phone every day makes me feel stronger.







