Mental Health and Literacy | Member Spotlight

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Mental Health and Literacy | Member Spotlight

January 14, 2026

A new episode of What’s Literacy? has dropped!

Dan speaks with Tracy Woodward, a Social Integration Skills Instructor at Lester B. Pearson (LBPSB), about the impact of mental health on literacy skills. Tracy shares her experiences at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, where she helps individuals reintegrate into the community by teaching important social and emotional skills.

We’re also featuring our Member, Julia Asselstine from Literacy Unlimited in Pointe-Claire, who discusses the various forms of literacy, the incredible programs her organization offers, along with upcoming initiatives for Family Literacy Day.

In honour of this episode’s topic, we’d like to shine a light on mental health services and hotlines available to those in Quebec:

If someone is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Info-Social 811 811 ⁠htps://www.quebec.ca/en/health/finding-a-resource/info-social-811 ⁠ Free and confidential telephone consultation service. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Anyone who lives in Québec can call Info-Social 811 for themselves or for a family member or friend.
211 Services 211 ⁠htps://www.211quebecregions.ca/en/ ⁠ 211 is an information and referral service that refers citizens towards community organizations, public and parapublic services and programs near them.
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 Text CONNECT to 686868 ⁠htps://kidshelpphone.ca/ ⁠ Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, multilingual and confidential support to help all young people Feel Out Loud.
Drugs: Help and Referral (Drogue-aide) 1-800-265-2626 ⁠htps://www.aidedrogue.ca/en/⁠ Drugs: Help and Referral (DHR) provides support, information and referrals to anyone worried about their use of drugs, alcohol, and/or medication, as well as, to their loved ones.