Mental Health & Addictions in COVID-19

The Alcoholics Anonymous helpline is answered by AA volunteers from Monday to Friday from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. If you call outside these hours we will do our best to return your call as soon as possible and normally within an hour.

Support Meetings are now being held on Zoom. Consult their website for times.

The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

Al-Anon helps help families of alcoholics, while Alateen helps youth, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.

Click here for information about online meetings.

Click here for a cumulative list of Eastern Health contacts, based on region, that can help you overcome addiction.

If you are finding it difficult to cope or feel anxious, Bridge the gapp offers many services to support you and your wellbeing.

If you are feeling isolated and alone during COVID-19, you are encouraged to reach out and speak with a trained mental health peer supporter. Note that, due to large call volumes, you may be prompted to leave a voice mail. CHANNAL will return your call with a blocked phone number to protect your privacy.

Eastern Health’s Mental Health and Addictions in St. John’s is now offering DOORWAYS Counselling Sessions by phone or video. Please call (709) 752-4903 to discuss counselling options during the following times:

The fasdNL Network came together due to a shared interest in supporting those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) through a provincial organization. 

During COVID-19, monthly parent and caregiver support groups will now be held virtually as a Zoom video meeting. RSVP information on their website.

Are you struggling with gambling addiction in St. John’s, NL? The Gambling Helpline is dedicated to supporting gamblers and their families; and reducing and eliminating problem gambling in NL, 24/7.

Planned Parenthood NL’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Warm Line is a peer support service run by and for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Newfoundland and Labrador. If you need someone to talk to, reach out and they will do their best to support you and provide you resources.

The Mental Health Crisis Line provides 24/7 telephone-based crisis intervention, toll-free and confidential, by professionally trained Crisis Interveners. This service is open to anyone in crisis, their caregivers or loved ones, as well as health professionals on a consultative basis by phone.

Website: Click

Narcotics Anonymous are still supporting people through online meetings. Check out their website for meeting times.

Website: Click
Phone:   811

Whether you have a health concern of any kind, have questions about self-care and healthy eating, or would like advice on how to support a loved one with their particular ailment, call 811. A Registered Nurse is available to talk 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 811 is a confidential and free telephone line available to all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

A fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. Support meetings take place online.

Planned Parenthood NLSHC promotes positive sexual health and 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion through education, community partnership, information and services within an environment that supports and respects individual choice.

Planned Parenthood remains open. Our services will be limited to:

• Contactless pickup for condoms (lube, dental dams, etc), birth control, emergency contraception, menstrual products, and informational materials. (we have a camera and intercom so if you cannot call or message ahead simply walk up to the door to speak with us)

• Telehealth appointments for anything that can be managed over the phone. – limited in person appointments at the discretion of our staff for those that NEED to be seen in person.

• All education and outreach workshops will be moved online for at least the remainder of February (Alana our education coordinator should be in contact soon if you have a presentation booked to confirm these details). You can still book workshops/presentations.

• Our 2SLGBTQIA+ Warm Line will continue to operate as normal (applications are now open for volunteers for this line on our website under Support Us).

Anyone entering our centre is required to wear a mask properly and wash/sanitize their hands upon entry. We also highly recommend you download the COVID Alert app on your phone. You will not be permitted entry to the building without passing our new screening guidelines.

Eastern Health has launched a temporary information line to help individuals navigate the system and connect with opioid addiction supports and services. The line is intended for use by those receiving Opioid Dependence Treatment, those seeking support for their opiate use, their families and health care providers.

For seniors and individuals who support seniors, SeniorsNL is a great resource that is available throughout the province. Employees are working remote. SeniorsNL can also be contacted via email at info@seniorsnl.ca.

The St. John’s office is closed for a minimum of two weeks, as of Feb 10 2021. They are not accepting donations of items at this time.

Their 24-Hour Support and Information Line (1-800-726-2743) will connect you with an empathetic, non-judgmental volunteer who can offer confidential emotional support, information, and resources as needed.

The Sexual Assault Crisis & Prevention Centre is a non-profit, community-based, charitable organization that exists to support individuals of all genders who have been impacted by sexual violence. They operate from a feminist, pro-choice, trauma-informed, person-centered perspective where individuals with lived experienced are honoured for their unique strengths, needs, skills, and abilities.

Dedicated to improving public health and the quality of life by reducing and eliminating tobacco use in NL, reducing the provincial smoking rate, and by encouraging and supporting Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans of all ages to quit using tobacco and stay tobacco free.

The service continues throughout COVID-19, and there are helpful COVID-related resources about smoking on their website.

The St. John’s Status of Women’s Council works to achieve equality and justice through political activism, community collaboration and the creation of a safe and inclusive space for all women in the St. John’s area. Office is closed to the public until atleast Feb 26 2021.

Their “Right Here, Right Now” drop-in counselling is a program that provides single session therapy to women and women identified (18 and over) in the St. John’s area. With COVID-19, the service is now being offered over the phone or online on a first come, first served basis.

Deaf or hard of hearing women can now contact the Women’s Centre about programs and services by texting (709) 770-4312 We can respond to your messages Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm