Frequently
Asked Questions

The Hope for Wellness Helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Please note that availability of support in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut varies from week to week, so you may need to call in to request services in those languages.

Telephone and online chat counselling services are available in English and French and, upon request, telephone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.

We strive to have no wait times, but sometimes the lines does get busy. We encourage you to stay on the line to wait to speak to a counsellor.

After dialing 1-855-242-3310, you will hear a recorded message in English and French that says

“Thank you for calling the Hope for Wellness Helpline. Please ask about the availability of Cree, Ojibway, or Inuktitut- speaking counsellors. For service in English, please press 1. For service in French, please press 2.”

After pressing the number 1 or 2, you may be connected directly to a counsellor, or experience a short hold.

When a counsellor picks up, they may ask you how you are doing, or if you would like to share your reason for calling. The counsellor will listen to you, and may reflect back what they are hearing. The counsellor might offer strategies for coping with difficult emotions, or resources that are available in your community.

The counsellors on the Hope for Wellness Helpline include First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and non-Indigenous individuals, with a broad range of academic and professional backgrounds.

All of the Hope for Wellness counsellors have specific training and experience in crisis intervention and cultural competence, and have a sincere interest in supporting people who are reaching out for help.

People call to talk about a whole range of issues which can include mental health concerns, anxiety, coping with stories in the media, relationship issues, abuse, and family and gender-based violence.

Some people call the line because they are feeling lonely, and they want to talk. Some people call the line because they are having suicidal thoughts.

The counsellors on the line are trained in suicide intervention, and can help you come up with a plan to keep yourself safe if necessary. The counsellors are available to talk to you about any topic or concern that you are facing.

The Hope for Wellness Help Line is operated by Donna Cona, an Indigenous organization that was selected through a competitive request-for-proposals process, and which is funded by Indigenous Services Canada.

Donna Cona does not keep any identifiable records (i.e. your phone number) or any of the information that you share on your call or chat.

Donna Cona will only keep track of the number of calls and some basic demographic information (such as gender, age, and region that you are calling from) to help us make sure we are providing a good service. None of this information is attached to a name or phone number.

Chat history is deleted every 2 hours.