BetterYour identity, who you love, who you are, where you come from, deserves respect. Yet facing rejection, discrimination or incomprehension can weigh heavily, and can be isolating. The good news: in Quebec and in Canada there are helplines and services designed by and for your community, that genuinely understand you. Here is which ones.
If it is urgent. If you are in danger, call 911. If you are having dark thoughts, call or text 988 (24/7). The lines below also listen when things are bad, without judging you.
LGBTQ+: Interligne, 1 888 505-1010 (24/7). Trans or questioning: Aide aux trans du Québec, 1 855 909-9038. Indigenous: Hope for Wellness Help Line, 1 855 242-3310 (24/7). Residential school survivors and families: crisis line, 1 866 925-4419. Everything is free and confidential.
Start hereWhich resource are you looking for?
Choose what fits you, every door leads to people who understand.
LGBTQ+Listening and support, as you are
Whether you are questioning, facing rejection, or simply looking to talk to someone who understands, these resources are here for you, and for those close to you too.
- Interligne, 1 888 505-1010: Quebec's LGBTQ+ helpline. Free, confidential, 24/7, by phone, email and chat. For people of sexual and gender diversity, and those close to them.
- Aide aux trans du Québec (ATQ), 1 855 909-9038: support for trans or questioning people, free and confidential, 24/7.
- Project 10listening and groups for LGBTQ+ young people aged 14 to 25. AlterHéros answers your questions about sexual orientation and gender identity.
You have rights. Nobody has the right to discriminate against you because of your orientation or your gender identity. Interligne also offers help to report an incident, and legal assistance.
IndigenousListening that understands your reality
First Nations, Inuit and Métis have the right to services that respect their culture and take their history into account. These resources are offered by and for Indigenous people.
- Hope for Wellness Help Line, 1 855 242-3310: immediate support and crisis intervention for all Indigenous people in Canada, free, 24/7. In French and English, and on request in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut. Online chat is also available.
- National crisis line, 1 866 925-4419: for former residential school students and those close to them, at any time and free of charge.
- Native friendship centres offer welcome and adapted services in cities. 211 can tell you where the nearest one is.
Without depending on anyoneWhat you can do yourself
Beyond the helplines, a few steps help you protect yourself and feel you belong. You are in control of them.
Build your circle and protect yourself
- Surround yourself with people who respect you as you are, you choose who you open up to.
- Find a group or a community (online or in person) where you feel safe and where you belong.
- Learn about your rights: nobody has the right to discriminate against you.
- Look after what nourishes you: your culture, your language, your traditions, your passions, your spirituality.
- Set your limits: you do not have to answer intrusive questions or justify yourself to anyone.
- Keep the contact details of a trusted person and a trusted line within reach, for the harder days.
One last wordYou belong
Your identity is not a problem to be solved, it is a part of you that deserves respect. You do not have to fight alone: your community exists, and people are ready to listen, without judging you. Take one single step today, a call, a chat, or just keeping the right number. You matter, and you belong.
Frequently askedYour questions
Is there an LGBTQ+ helpline in Quebec?
Yes. Interligne answers at 1 888 505-1010: free, confidential, available 24/7, by phone, email and chat. It is for people of sexual and gender diversity, and also for those close to them.
Where can I find support if I am trans or questioning?
Aide aux trans du Québec (ATQ) offers support at 1 855 909-9038, free and confidential, 24/7. Interligne also helps, and Project 10 is for LGBTQ+ young people aged 14 to 25.
Is there a helpline for Indigenous people?
Yes. The Hope for Wellness Help Line answers at 1 855 242-3310, free of charge and 24/7, for all Indigenous people in Canada. It is offered in French and English, and on request in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.
Is there support for former residential school students and their families?
Yes. A national crisis line is available at any time and free of charge at 1 866 925-4419, for former residential school students and those close to them.
Are these services free and confidential?
Yes. Interligne, Aide aux trans du Québec, the Hope for Wellness Help Line and the residential schools line are free and confidential. You can call for yourself or for someone you are worried about.
This may also helpOther needs
Do you need more help?
We are here to help you find the right door.
Sources
- Interligne, LGBTQ+ listening and intervention services (Quebec, in French)
- Indigenous Services Canada, Hope for Wellness Help Line (in French)
- Indigenous Services Canada, Support for residential school survivors (crisis line, in French)
- 211 Québec, information and referral, in several languages
About this article. General information, accurate as of the date shown, this is not an emergency service. If you are in danger, call 911; if you are in distress, 988. The resources cited are free and confidential; their contact details can change, 211 can always point you in the right direction. BetterWorld is a social-economy organisation, independent of governments, that believes in the dignity and equality of all people.
Spotted an error or an out-of-date figure? Write to us: we will correct it and re-date the article. Our texts are written with the help of artificial intelligence and checked against official sources before publication, but an amount or a rule can change without us catching it. If anything here does not match what an official body tells you, they are right.