Do you need urgent help? Are you in crisis, feeling unsafe, or worried you might hurt yourself or others? If you are experiencing a life-threatening issue, please go to the nearest hospital emergency room or medical facility.
Are you abroad on an international co-op, student exchange, or visiting family and friends? Below are some resources to support Canadian students who are traveling abroad, and international students who need support in their home countries.
For more information about international co-ops, see the Co-operative Education Planning for Emergencies webpage. Information on international student exchange can be found on the Engineering International Exchange webpage.
International Emergency Assistance for Canadians Abroad
This service is only for Canadian citizens in need of emergency consular assistance. They do not have information about immigration, permanent residence, or visas.
Consular services are provided to Canadians outside Canada by government offices abroad.
Each case is different, and the type and amount of consular services that can be provided depends on the situation. A natural disaster, violent conflict, political unrest, or the laws and regulations in other countries, may mean that they are less able to help you.
Consular officers will only get as involved as necessary, and there are limits to the help they can give you. You may have to pay for some of these services.
Request Emergency Assistance
Telephone
From outside Canada
- Call the nearest embassy or consulate.
- +1 613 996 8885 (call collect where available)
- Toll-free numbers in some countries
From inside Canada (non-passport-related)
- 613-996-8885
- 1-800-387-3124 (toll-free from the U.S. and Canada only)
Emergency passport services within Canada (weekends and statutory holidays)
- 1-800-567-6868 (toll-free from Canada only)
SMS
- +1-613-686-3658 (carrier charges may apply)
- +1-613-909-8881 (carrier charges may apply)
Telegram
- Canada Emergency Abroad
Signal
- +1-613-909-8087
TTY (for persons with a hearing loss)
- 613-944-1310
- 1-800-394-3472 (toll-free from the U.S. and Canada only)
Types of Services
General Services
They can:
- give you a list of translators
- provide notarial services (all services may not be available at all locations)
- help you with private money transfers
- help you to vote in Canadian elections
Examples of what they can't do:
- refund your hotel costs if a trip is delayed or cancelled
- help Canadians outside Canada to find employment, or accept their mail, store their personal effects or search for lost items
Legal and Local Law Enforcement
They can:
- give you a list of local lawyers
- give you public sources of information on local laws and regulations
- provide a range of services to Canadians detained abroad (all services may not be always available at all locations)
- give you contact information for local police and medical services if you have been the victim of robbery, sexual assault or other violent act
Examples of what they can’t do:
- post bail, pay legal fees or medical expenses
- give legal advice, get involved in private legal matters or financial disputes
- get a Canadian out of a foreign prison
- investigate a crime or death abroad. This is the responsibility of local authorities
- interfere in an investigation
- ask local authorities to give a Canadian special treatment or to exempt a Canadian from the due process of local law
- take fingerprints or obtain criminal record checks
Passports, Immigration, Permanent Residence and Visas
They can:
- help you replace a lost, stolen, damaged or expired Canadian passport
- take applications for new Canadian passports and Canadian citizenship certificates
Examples of what they can’t do:
- help Canadians outside Canada solve immigration-related problems such as overstaying a visa and visa applications
- answer any questions or help with immigration to Canada or Canadian visa-related issues
- answer any questions about permanent residence
International Crisis Lines
Below is a limited list of crisis and support lines around the world.
Algeria
- Ambulance - Call 43
- Fire - Call 14
- Police - Call 1548 OR 1055 (intercity/rural police)
- National emergency line - Call 34342
- Suicide Hotline Algeria: 0021 3983 2000 58
Argentina
- National emergency number in Argentina - Call 911
- Buenos Aires City and Province
- Ambulance - Call 107
- Police - Call 101
- Fire Station - Call 100
- Centro de Asistencia al Suicida - Call 135 (Greater Buenos Aires) OR 5275-1135 (rest of the country)
- SOS Un Amigo Anonimo - Call 4783-8888 - available seven days a week from 10 AM - 7 PM
Armenia
- National Emergency Numbers - Call 911 OR 112
- Trust Social Work and Sociological Research Centre - Call (2) 538194 OR (2) 538197
Australia
- National Emergency Number - Call 000
- Teletypewriter (TTY) for deaf and hard of hearing emergency line - dial 106
- Crisis Services by Province
- New South Wales - Call 1 800 636 825
- South Australia - Call 1 31465
- Queensland - Call 1 300 363 622
- Western Australia - Call 1 800 676 822
- Northern Territory - 1 800 019 116
- Tasmania - 1 800 332 388
- Australian Capital Territory - Call 1 800 629 354
- Victoria - Call 1 300 280 354
- Lifeline Australia - Call 13 11 14 - 24-hour nationwide service that provides access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services.
- Kids Help Line Australia (not to be confused with Kids Help Phone Canada) - Call 1 800 55 1800 - 24-hour nationwide service that provides access to crisis support, suicide prevention and counselling services for Australians aged 5–25.
- Mens Line Australia - Call 1 300 78 99 78 - 24/7 telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health, mental health and relationship concerns.
- Butterfly Foundation (Eating Disorder Helpline) - Call 1800 33 4673
Austria
- National Emergency line - Call 112
- Telefonseelorge - Call 142 - available 24 hours a day, crisis help line.
- Rat auf Draht - Call 147 - available 24 hours a day, crisis help line especially for children, juveniles, and their attachment figures.
Bangladesh
- National Emergency line - Call 999
- National Fire and Ambulance line - Call 199
- Kaan Pete Roi - support helpline in Bangladesh whose mission is to alleviate feelings of despair, isolation, distress, and suicidal feelings among members of the community, through confidential listening. The helpline is intended for suicide prevention and the promotion of mental health. Please visit their website or email Kaan Pete Roi to get in touch with a volunteer.
Belgium
- National Emergency line - Call 112
- Stichting Zelfmoordlijn - Call 0800-0113 - 24/7 national suicide prevention phone line and webchat from 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM in Dutch
- Stichting Centre de Prévention du Suicide provides a 24/7 national suicide prevention phone line in French
- The Center for the Prevention of Suicide hotline can be reached at 0800 32123
Brazil
- National Emergency line - Call 188
- National police and ambulances in Brazil - Call 190 OR 191
- Centro de Valorização da Vida (Portuguese) - Call 141 - emotional and suicidal prevention support NGO. Offers voluntary and free support, with all communications being confidential.
China
- National Emergency Line - Call 110
- Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center Hotline - Call 800 810 1117 OR 010 8295 1332
- LifeLine Shanghai - Call 021 6279 8990 (English speaking)
- Shanghai Mental Health Center - 021 6438 7250
Denmark
- National Emergency line - Call 112
- Livslinien - Call 70 201 201 - free telephone support available 11:00 AM - 5:00 AM
- Live chat on LIvslinien available here.
Egypt
- National Emergency line for police - 122
- National Emergency line for emergency health services - 123
- Emergency foreigner number - 126
- Befrienders Cairo - Call (+20) 7622381 OR 7621602 OR 7621603 - suicide prevention hotline
- Ministry of Health Hotlines for Mental Health Support - Call 0220816831 OR 08008880700
France
- Emergency line - Call 112
- SOS Amitie (French) - Call 09 72 39 40 50 - 24/7 mental health, suicide prevention, and emotional support line.
- SOS Help (English) - Call 01 46 21 46 46 - 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM English speaking crisis helpline in France.
- Suicide Ecoute - Call 01 45 39 40 00 - 24/7 confidential suicide prevention helpline
Germany
- National Emergency line - Call 112
- National Emergency police line - Call 110
- Telefonseelsorge - Call 0800 111 0 111 OR 0800 1110 222- (24/7) National crisis line
- Crisis Line for Children - Call 0800 111 0 333
- Samaritans Hotlines - Call 0800 181 0771 OR 0800 181 0772
- Berliner Krisendienst - 24/7 Crisis support available in multiple languages. Can also provide extreme urgent on-site help without an appointment.
- International Helpline Berlin
- English Service - 030 44 01 06 07
- Russian Service - Call 030 44 01 06 06
India
- Emergency line - Call 112
- Samartians Mumbai - Call +91 84 22984528 OR +91 84 22984529 OR +91 84 22984530 - helpline providing support for emotionally distressed and suicidal that is available 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM all days
- AASRA - Call +91 22 27546669 - 24/7 nationwide voluntary, professional, and confidential suicide prevention services
- Sneha India - Call +91 44 24640050 - Suicide prevention support based in Chennai available 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM all days
- Befrienders India - National emotional support and suicide prevention resources across the country.
Indonesia
- National emergency line - Call 112
- Sehat Jiwa (SEJIWA) - Call 119 ext 8 - national line for mental health support
Iran
- National Emergency line - Call 110 OR 115
- Iran Suicide Hotline - Call 00989127181037
- Iran Organization of Wellbeing - Call 1480 - Free hotline providing different types of consultations for a variety of problems such as marriage, family, youths and children, suicide, etc. to those in need. Available 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
Ireland
- National Emergency lines - Call 112 OR 999
- Samaritans - registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in distress or at risk of suicide throughout Ireland.
- Ireland/Northern Ireland - Call 116 123
- UK local rate - Call +44 (0) 8457 90 90 90
- UK minicom - Call +44 (0) 8457 90 91 92
- ROI local rate - Call 1850 60 90 90
- ROI minicom - Call 1850 60 90 91
Italy
- National Emergency line - Call 112
- Servizio per la Prevenzione del Suicidio (SPS) - suicide prevention service whose mission is to give psychological and emotional support to anyone in suicidal crisis or to anyone who has lost a dear one to suicide. Confidential listening is provided by equipped doctors, psychologists, and volunteers . Available Monday - Friday from 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
- Samaritans Onlus - Call 800 86 00 22 OR 06 77208977 - emotional support line available 1:00 PM - 10:00 PM every day.
- Telefono Amico - Call 199284284 - emotional support line available 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM every day.
Israel
Japan
- National emergency numbers - Call 110 OR 119
- TELL - Call 03 5774 0992 - free, confidential English speaking lifeline and mental health services for the international community in Japan.
- Befrienders Worldwide Osaka Suicide Prevention Center (Japanese)
- Lifelink (Inochi SOS) (Japanese) - Call 0120 061 338 - crisis support available through phone or webchat.
Jordan
- National emergency line - Call 911
- Jordan River Foundation - Call 110 - Family and children psychological support
Korea
- National emergency line - Call 112 OR 119
- Call of Hope (Korean) - Call 129 - mental health support available 24/7
- Korean suicide prevention hotline (Korean) - Call 1393
- Mental Health Welfare Center Mental Health Crisis Hotline (Korean) - Call 1577-0199
Lebanon
- National emergency line - Call 999 OR 112
- Embrace Lebanon Suicide Hotline - Call 1564 - available 24/7
Malaysia
- National emergency line - Call 999
- Befrienders Malaysia - Call +60 376272929 - confidential emotional support hotline available 24/7
Mexico
- National emergency line - Call 911
- SAPTEL - Call (55) 5259-8121 - free mental health crisis line available 24/7
Morocco
- Police - Call 190
- Medical assistance and fire - Call 150
- Befrienders Casablanca (Sourire de Reda) (French and Arabic) - Call +212 (5) 22 87 47 40 (landline) OR +212 (6) 62 58 95 70 (Mobile)
New Zealand
- National emergency line - Call 111
- Lifeline New Zealand
- Lifeline helpline - Call 0800 543 354 OR text 4357
- Suicide crisis line - Call 0508 828 865
- Healthline New Zealand - Call 0800 611 116 - 24/7 health support with interpreters available - Māori clinician available from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Pakistan
- Ambulance services - Call 115
- Fire brigade - Call 16
- Police - Call 15
- UMANG - Call +92 0311 7786264 - Pakistani mental health helpline available 24/7
Philippines
- National emergency line - Call 911
- National Center for Mental Health 24/7 Crisis Hotline - Call (02) 7989-8727 OR 0917 899 8727
- The Natasha Goulbourn Foundation - Call (02) 8804-4673 OR 0917 558 4673 - crisis support available 24/7
- Manila Lifeline Centre - Call (02) 8896-9191
- In Touch Community Services Hotline - Call - (02) 8893 7603 OR 0917 800 1123 OR 0922 893 8944 - Available 24/7
Russia
- National emergency line - Call 112
- 24-Hour emergency number for Moscow residents - Call 051 OR 8495051
- Samaritans (Cherepovets) - Call 007 (8202) 577-577
South Africa
- National emergency lines - Call 10111 OR 10177
- The Triangle Project - Call (021) 712 6699 - LGBTQIA+ helpline that is professional and confidential. Available daily 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM.
- Suicide Crisis line - Call 0800 567 567 OR SMS 31393
- South Africa Lifeline - Call 0861 322 322
- Anxiety and Depression SADAG - Call 0800 567 567
Spain
- National emergency line - Call 112
- Teléfono de la Esperanza - Call 717 003 717 - 24/7 emotional support line
Sudan
- National emergency line - Call 999
- Medical assistance - Call 333
- Fire brigade - Call 777
- Befrienders Khartoum - Call (249) 11-555-253
UK
- National emergency lines - Call 999 OR 112
- Childline - Call 0800 1111
- Samaritans - Call 08457 909090
- Abuse Not - Call 0808 8005015
- Brook Young People's Information Service - Call 0800 0185023
- Eating Disorder Support - Call 01494 793223
- Anxiety UK - Call 0844 477 5774
- Depression Alliance - Call 0845 123 23 20
- Rape Crisis Centre - Call 01708 765200
- Rape/sexual assault - Call 0808 8000 123 (female) OR 0808 8000122 (male)
- Miscarriage Association - Call 01924 200799
- LLGS Helpline (LGBT) - Call 0300 330 0630
- Sexuality support - Call 01708 765200
- Bereavment - Call 0800 9177 416
- Runaway/homeless - Call 0808 800 70 70
- CareConfidential Pregnancy/post abortion - Call 0800 028 2228
- Domestic Violence Helpline - Call 0345 023 468
- National AIDS Helpline - Call 0800 567 123
USA
- National emergency line - Call 911
- Depression Hotline - Call 1-630-482-9696
- Suicide Hotline - Call 1-800-784-8433
- LifeLine - Call 1-800-273-8255
- Trevor Project - Call 1-866-488-7386
- Sexuality Support - Call 1-800-246-7743
- Eating Disorders Hotline - Call 1-847-831-3438
- Rape and Sexual Assault - Call 1-800-656-4673
- Grief Support - Call 1-650-321-5272
- Runaway - Call 1-800-843-5200, 1-800-843-5678, 1-800-621-4000
- Exhale - Call After Abortion Hotline/Pro-Voice: 1-866-4394253
- Self Harm - Call 1-800-366-8288
- Pregnancy Hotline - Call 1-800-467-8466
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Youth Support Line - Call 800-850-8078
- National Association for Children of Alcoholics 1-888-55-4COAS - Call 1-888-554-2627
- National Child Abuse Hotline - Call 1-800-422-4453
- National Domestic Violence Hotline - Call 1-800-799-7233
- National Drug Abuse Hotline - Call 1-800-662-4357
- National Youth Crisis Hotline - Call 1-800-448-4663
- Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention - Call 1-800-931-2237 - Available 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM daily
- Veterans - Call 1-877-838-2838
- Adolescent Suicide Helpline - Call 1-800-621-4000
- Postpartum Depression - Call 1-800-PPD-MOMS
- Nami Helpline - Call 1-800-950-6264
Disclaimer: While we check the links and information above to ensure they are up to date, the countries where the information originates from may make changes without notice that are not reflective of what is provided above.