Parent Support Groups (Virtual)

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 13-25 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.

There will be no group on Wednesday, July 1 as the Pleo office is closed on this day for Canada Day.

Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83150489909


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

Find support with other parents and caregivers of suicidal youth and young adults in this free 8-week online peer-led support group, offered by Pleo and The Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre.

This peer support group provides connection, tools, and support for parents and caregivers navigating the challenges of supporting suicidal youth and young adults. It offers a safe and supportive space to connect and share with others who understand, learn tools and strategies to support your youth and your own well-being, and find support within a caring community.

This support group is for parents and caregivers supporting youth and young adults up to age 25 who are struggling with suicidality, including suicidal thoughts or attempts.

Over 8 weeks, this support group will provide:
• Information to increase your understanding of suicide and suicidal thinking in youth and young adults, including risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs, as well as the impact of mental health, substance use, and addictions on suicidality
• Guidance on crisis response and safety planning, including how to create and use a safety plan together with your child
• Tools and strategies for supporting your child’s mental well-being
• Strategies for fostering communication and trust with your child and creating a safe, non-judgmental space for open conversation
• Information on available resources and services in your community, including crisis supports
• Strategies for coping and self-care practices to support your own mental well-being, as a caregiver
• Opportunities to connect, share experiences, and find support with others who understand, in a safe and supportive space

Sessions are co-facilitated by a Pleo Family Peer Supporter and an Addictions Counsellor from The Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre.

This support group is offered in collaboration with The Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre.

New dates and registration for the upcoming fall session will be posted when available.

Registration for this session is now closed. 


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 fun, interactive group where you can discover journaling as a tool for wellness and express yourself through journaling with a community of peers, in a welcoming space.

Over 9 weeks, you’ll learn the benefits of journaling and explore how journaling can help support your well-being. You’ll be led through topics such as Making Connections, Emotional Vocabulary, Letter Writing and Lists, Gratitude and Intentions, Self-Esteem Journaling, Creative Journaling, and Evaluation. Tools needed: paper or journal, writing utensil, emailed handouts, an internet-connected device (computer, mobile, or tablet), and Zoom access.

This free virtual group is for parents and caregivers supporting children, youth, and young adults (ages 0-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges.

Co-facilitated by a Pleo Family Peer Supporter and Anita Manley, Peer Facilitator and co-founder of Journaling as a Wellness Tool in the Women’s Mental Health Program at The Royal, this group offers a welcoming space to explore journaling as a tool for wellness and self-expression.

No writing experience is needed. There will be opportunities for writing during each session, however sharing is optional. This session is limited to 12 spaces and registration is required.

Whether you’re new to journaling or a seasoned writer, this group is for you!

Registration for this session is now closed. 


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 July Calendar / Calendrier de juillet de Pleo

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
June 28, 2026
June 29, 2026(1 event)
June 30, 2026(2 events)
July 1, 2026(1 event)
July 2, 2026(5 events)
July 3, 2026(1 event)
July 4, 2026
July 5, 2026
July 6, 2026(1 event)
July 7, 2026(3 events)
July 8, 2026(1 event)
July 9, 2026(3 events)
July 10, 2026(1 event)
July 11, 2026
July 12, 2026
July 13, 2026(2 events)
July 14, 2026(2 events)
July 15, 2026(2 events)
July 16, 2026(5 events)
July 17, 2026(1 event)
July 18, 2026
July 19, 2026
July 20, 2026(1 event)
July 21, 2026(2 events)
July 22, 2026(1 event)
July 23, 2026(3 events)
July 24, 2026(1 event)
July 25, 2026
July 26, 2026
July 27, 2026(3 events)
July 28, 2026(2 events)
July 29, 2026(1 event)
July 30, 2026(4 events)
July 31, 2026(1 event)
August 1, 2026

Pleo July Calendar / Calendrier de juillet de Pleo

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
June 28, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


June 29, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


June 30, 2026

Onsite Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB), 12:00pm-4:30pm / Sur place le Bureau des services à la jeunesse d’Ottawa (BSJ), 12 h à 16 h 30


June 30, 2026

Our office is closed for Canada Day / Notre bureau est fermé à l’occasion de la fête du Canada

July 1, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 2, 2026

Onsite Cornwall & SDG Youth Wellness Hub (Cornwall), 1pm-4pm / Sur place Carrefour bien-être pour les jeunes de Cornwall et SDG (Cornwall), 13h-16h


July 2, 2026

Onsite Cornwall Community Hospital - Community Addiction and Mental Health Centre, 1pm-4pm / Sur place L’Hôpital communautaire de Cornwall – Centre communautaire de santé mentale et de dépendances, 13h-16h


July 2, 2026

In Person Caregiver Support Group (parents/caregivers of youth and young adults ages 16-25) - Ottawa, 6:30pm-8:00pm


July 2, 2026

Virtual SMART Recovery Family and Friends Support Group (for family and friends) - Zoom, 7pm-8:30pm / Groupe de soutien virtuel SMART Recovery pour les familles et les ami·e·s – Zoom, de 19 h à 20 h 30


July 2, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 3, 2026

July 4, 2026
July 5, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 6, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 7, 2026

Onsite Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB), 12:00pm-4:30pm / Sur place le Bureau des services à la jeunesse d’Ottawa (BSJ), 12 h à 16 h 30


July 7, 2026

In Person Renfrew County Parent Support Group (for parents/caregivers of children ages 12-25) - Renfrew, 6:30-8pm / Groupe de soutien aux parents du comté de Renfrew en personne (pour les parents/aidant(e)s d'enfants de 12-25 ans) - Renfrew, 18h30-20h


July 7, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 8, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 9, 2026

Onsite Cornwall Community Hospital - Community Addiction and Mental Health Centre, 1pm-4pm / Sur place L’Hôpital communautaire de Cornwall – Centre communautaire de santé mentale et de dépendances, 13h-16h


July 9, 2026

Virtual SMART Recovery Family and Friends Support Group (for family and friends) - Zoom, 7pm-8:30pm / Groupe de soutien virtuel SMART Recovery pour les familles et les ami·e·s – Zoom, de 19 h à 20 h 30


July 9, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 10, 2026

July 11, 2026
July 12, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 13, 2026

Virtual French SMART Recovery Family and Friends Support Group (for family and friends) - Zoom, 6:30pm-8:00pm / Groupe de soutien virtuel SMART Recovery pour les familles et les ami·e·s (en français) – Zoom, de 18 h 30 à 20 h 00


July 13, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 14, 2026

Onsite Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB), 12:00pm-4:30pm / Sur place le Bureau des services à la jeunesse d’Ottawa (BSJ), 12 h à 16 h 30


July 14, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 15, 2026

Virtual Parent Support Group (for parents/caregivers of children ages 13-25) - Zoom, 6:30-8pm / Groupe de soutien virtuel aux parents (pour les parents/aidant(e)s d'enfants de 13-25 ans) - Zoom, 18h30-20h


July 15, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 16, 2026

Onsite Cornwall & SDG Youth Wellness Hub (Cornwall), 1pm-4pm / Sur place Carrefour bien-être pour les jeunes de Cornwall et SDG (Cornwall), 13h-16h


July 16, 2026

Onsite Cornwall Community Hospital - Community Addiction and Mental Health Centre, 1pm-4pm / Sur place L’Hôpital communautaire de Cornwall – Centre communautaire de santé mentale et de dépendances, 13h-16h


July 16, 2026

In Person Manotick and Area Parent Support Group (parents/caregivers of children ages 0-25) - Manotick, 6:30-8pm / Groupe de soutien aux parents de Manotick et ses environs en personne (parents/aidant(e)s d'enfants de 0-25 ans) - Manotick, 18h30-20h


July 16, 2026

Virtual SMART Recovery Family and Friends Support Group (for family and friends) - Zoom, 7pm-8:30pm / Groupe de soutien virtuel SMART Recovery pour les familles et les ami·e·s – Zoom, de 19 h à 20 h 30


July 16, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 17, 2026

July 18, 2026
July 19, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 20, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 21, 2026

Onsite Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB), 12:00pm-4:30pm / Sur place le Bureau des services à la jeunesse d’Ottawa (BSJ), 12 h à 16 h 30


July 21, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 22, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 23, 2026

Onsite Cornwall Community Hospital - Community Addiction and Mental Health Centre, 1pm-4pm / Sur place L’Hôpital communautaire de Cornwall – Centre communautaire de santé mentale et de dépendances, 13h-16h


July 23, 2026

Virtual SMART Recovery Family and Friends Support Group (for family and friends) - Zoom, 7pm-8:30pm / Groupe de soutien virtuel SMART Recovery pour les familles et les ami·e·s – Zoom, de 19 h à 20 h 30


July 23, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 24, 2026

July 25, 2026
July 26, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 27, 2026

Onsite Rockland and PR Youth Wellness Hub, Rockland, 4pm-7pm / Sur place Carrefour bien-être pour les jeunes Rockland et Prescott-Russell, Rockland, 16h-19h


July 27, 2026

In Person Rural Ottawa Parent Support Group (parents/caregivers of children ages 13-25) - Richmond, 6:30-8pm / Groupe de soutien aux parents de région rural d'Ottawa en personne (parents/aidant(e)s d'enfants de 13-25 ans) - Richmond, 18h30 à 20h


July 27, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 28, 2026

Onsite Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB), 12:00pm-4:30pm / Sur place le Bureau des services à la jeunesse d’Ottawa (BSJ), 12 h à 16 h 30


July 28, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 29, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 30, 2026

Onsite Cornwall Community Hospital - Community Addiction and Mental Health Centre, 1pm-4pm / Sur place L’Hôpital communautaire de Cornwall – Centre communautaire de santé mentale et de dépendances, 13h-16h


July 30, 2026

Caregiver Neurodevelopmental Virtual Support Group - Zoom, 6:30pm–8:00pm / Groupe de soutien virtuel en neurodéveloppement pour personnes aidantes - Zoom, 18 h 30 à 20 h


July 30, 2026

Virtual SMART Recovery Family and Friends Support Group (for family and friends) - Zoom, 7pm-8:30pm / Groupe de soutien virtuel SMART Recovery pour les familles et les ami·e·s – Zoom, de 19 h à 20 h 30


July 30, 2026

Parents' Helpline, 9am-7pm / Ligne d'aide aux parents, 9h-19h


July 31, 2026

August 1, 2026

Just knowing you guys are there on the phone every day makes me feel stronger.

Ottawa Parent