Find support with a community, 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.

Rural Ottawa Parent Support Group for parents and caregivers of youth and young adults (ages 13-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges. Last Monday of the month. Location: Richmond

This free drop-in parent support group for parents and caregivers of youth and young adults (ages 13-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges, is held on the last Monday of the month from 6:30pm to 8pm at Willow Wellness (5944 Perth Street, Richmond). Peer-facilitated by two Pleo Family Peer Supporters. Offered by Pleo in partnership with Willow Wellness and Rural Ottawa Youth Mental Health Collective. Participants can drop-in as often as they like or need. Just drop-in to join.

Upcoming dates:
Monday November 24, 2025, 6:30pm-8pm
Monday December 29, 2025, 6:30pm-8pm (Cancelled)**
Monday January 26, 2026, 6:30pm-8pm
Monday February 23, 2026, 6:30pm-8pm

**The group on December 29 is cancelled, as the Pleo office will be closed on this day for the Holiday Season.

Renfrew County Parent Support Group for parents and caregivers of youth and young adults (ages 12-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges. First Tuesday of the month. Location: Renfrew

This free drop-in parent support group for parents and caregivers of youth and young adults (ages 12-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges, is held on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30pm to 8pm at myFM Centre (1 Ma Te Way Park Drive, Renfrew) inside the YWHO Renfrew County room on the 2nd Floor*. Peer-facilitated by two Pleo Family Peer Supporters. Offered by Pleo in partnership with Renfrew County Youth Wellness Hub and Addictions Treatment Service (ATS). Participants can drop-in as often as they like or need. Just drop-in to join.

*Enter the myFM building through the rear parking lot doors and take the stairs to second floor.

Upcoming dates:
Tuesday November 4, 2025, 6:30pm-8pm
Tuesday December 2, 2025, 6:30pm-8pm
Tuesday January 6, 2026, 6:30pm-8pm
Tuesday February 3, 2026, 6:30pm-8pm

Manotick and Area Parent Support Group for parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (ages 0-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges. Third Thursday of the month. Location: Manotick

This free drop-in parent support group for parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (ages 0-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges, is held on the third Thursday of the month from 6:30pm to 8pm at Lume Club (1138 Tighe Street, Manotick). Peer-facilitated by two Pleo Family Peer Supporters. Offered by Pleo in partnership with Youth of Manotick Association (YOMA). Participants can drop-in as often as they like or need. Just drop-in to join.

Upcoming dates:
Thursday November 20, 2025, 6:30pm-8pm
Thursday December 18, 2025, 6:30pm-8pm
Thursday January 15, 2026, 6:30pm-8pm
Thursday February 19, 2026, 6:30pm-8pm

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 0-12 for parents and caregivers of children and youth (ages 0-12) facing mental health or addiction challenges. 2nd Tuesday of the month. Location: Virtual (Zoom)

This free drop-in virtual parent support group for parents and caregivers of children and youth (ages 0-12) facing mental health or addiction challenges, is held on the 2nd Tuesday (bilingual) of the month from 6:30pm to 8pm on Zoom and peer-facilitated by Pleo Family Peer Supporters.

Join here : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85109801085

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. Every Wednesday. Location: Virtual (Zoom)

This free drop-in virtual parent support group for parents and caregivers of youth and young adults (ages 13-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges, is held every Wednesday (4th Wednesday is bilingual) from 6:30pm to 8pm on Zoom and peer-facilitated by two Pleo Family Peer Supporters.

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

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.

The next session starts on September 17 and runs for eight weeks, ending on November 5, 2025. Sessions take place every Wednesday on Zoom from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Registration is required, and we ask that all parents and caregivers attend all dates in a session. 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 partnership and collaboration with The Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre.

Registration for this session is now closed.

Parent/Caregiver Information Session for parents and caregivers of children and youth (ages 0-12) facing mental health or addiction challenges. Fourth Tuesday of the month. Location: Virtual (Zoom)

Join Pleo and Open Doors Mental Health (ODMH) on November 25, for an evening of learning and support.

This month’s information session will cover the subject of “Screen Time & Tech: Boundaries, Connection and Brain Health”, for parents and caregivers supporting children and youth (ages 0-12) facing mental health or addiction challenges.

As technology becomes part of everyday life, we understand that it can create new challenges for young people and families. In this session, we’ll explore how screen time and technology use affect early brain development in children and youth, as well as their impact on mental health. Together, we’ll discuss ways to set healthy boundaries that balance screen time with connection to support your child’s well-being. You’ll gain practical tools to foster mindful tech use, encourage family and peer relationships beyond screens, and support your child in building a positive relationship with technology.

Hosted by Pleo Family Peer Supporters and mental health clinicians from Open Doors Mental Health (ODMH), we’ll share information, practical tips, and strategies to help you navigate this topic.

The session will be held on Tuesday November 25, from 6:30pm–8:00pm on Zoom.

These free monthly sessions are designed to support you and your family. They provide information and insights on topics related to child and youth mental health and addictions, and parenting, along with practical tips and strategies to help you support your child or youth. You’ll also find information about available supports and resources in your community and have the opportunity to ask questions in a welcoming, safe space. Sessions are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, with a new topic each month.

We look forward to welcoming you to this session, presented together with Open Doors Mental Health (ODMH).

Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85109801085

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.

The next session of this group runs every Thursday from September 18- November 20 (9-week session) from 6pm-7:30pm on Zoom. 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 including: Making Connections, Emotional Vocabulary, Letter Writing and Lists, Gratitude and Intentions, Self-Esteem Journaling, Creative Journaling and Evaluation. No writing experience is needed! There will be opportunities for writing during each session and sharing is optional. Tools needed include: Paper or journal, writing utensil, emailed hand-outs, internet connected device (computer, mobile, or tablet) and Zoom access.

This group is a pilot program. Space is limited to twelve participants, but we hope to hold the group several times per year. This group is for parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (ages 0-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges.

This free group is co-facilitated by a Pleo Family Peer Supporter and Anita Manley, Peer Facilitator. We are fortunate to be co-facilitating this group with Anita Manley, who is the co-founder of Journaling as a Wellness Tool in the Women’s Mental Health Program at The Royal. She has been co-facilitating this group for over 12 years and is very excited to be bringing this fun and interactive group to the clients of Pleo.

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

*Please note: The meeting on October 9 is cancelled, as our team will come together for Pleo’s Art of Support Gala that evening. This session will be extended by one week, with the final meeting now on November 20.

Registration for this session is now closed.

SMART Recovery Family and Friends Virtual Drop-In Support Group for family and friends of those struggling with addictions or addictive behaviours. Every Thursday. Location: Virtual (Zoom)

This free drop-in virtual support group for all family and friends of those struggling with addictions or addictive behaviours, is held every Thursday from 7pm to 8:30pm on Zoom and peer-facilitated by Pleo Family Peer Supporters.

Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/293138126

Four-Week Clay Hand Building Course, “A clay journey of grounding and shaping” for parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (ages 0-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges. Location: Ottawa *By registration only

Looking for a creative way to support your mental well-being? Join us for our four-week clay hand building course, “A clay journey of grounding and shaping.” The first session begins on September 16 and runs every Tuesday from 6:30pm-8:30pm for four weeks at earthen vessels (36 Rosemount Avenue, Ottawa), ending on October 7.

Facilitated by earthen vessels, and offered in partnership and collaboration with Pleo, this course provides a calm, welcoming space for creativity, reflection, and renewal—where you can slow down, connect with your hands, and find comfort in a shared, supportive environment. This course is for parents and caregivers supporting children, youth, and young adults (ages 0-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges.

Over four weeks, we will explore the basics of hand building with clay, focusing on creating functional mugs and light-filled lanterns through techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab work. There will be time to move at your own pace and enjoy the tactile experience of working with clay.

No previous experience with clay is needed. This session is limited to 8 spaces and registration is required.

Cost: $225 per person for four-week session.

We’re excited to offer this new course, and we hope you’ll join us!

Registration for this session is now closed.