Resources and Support Services: Prince Edward Island
Crisis Lines/Mental Health Awareness
The Island Helpline
Call: 1-800-218-2885
The Island Helpline provides free, confidential emotional support and crisis intervention to Islanders of all ages. Our trained and caring staff and volunteers are here to answer your call any time of the day or night – 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The Island Helpline plays an important role in our communities. We help callers by providing a listening ear, emotional support, crisis intervention and links to community resources available on PEI.
We do not judge. You can express your thoughts and feelings in confidence regardless of whether you are grieving, feeling sad, anxious, overwhelmed, or in crisis. Your well-being is important to us and we are here for you through life’s challenges.
All of our volunteers and staff are trained in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). This training allows them to discuss suicide with callers in an open, direct and non-judgmental manner. It also provides us with the skills to identify risk and to work with callers to develop safe plans to guard against that risk.
Income Assistance
Social Assistance Program
Call: 1-877-569-0546
The Social Assistance Program helps you meet your basic needs when you cannot. The program provides help on a case-by-case basis to people who meet the requirements.
Social Assistance will assist you in paying for:
- food
- shelter
- medications
- basic dental
- glasses
- funeral costs
The amount of money you can get depends on how much money you make, how many children you have and if you own your own home or rent.
AccessAbility Supports
Call: (902) 620-3777, 1-866-594-3777
Email: deptsdh@gov.pe.ca
Our government wants to ensure Islanders living with disabilities can access the tools they need to reach their full potential and contribute to society as fully as possible. These improvements mean supports will be more personalized and focus on empowering individuals and their families.
Supports include:
- life skills training in areas like meal preparation, budgeting, grocery shopping, recreational activities;
- technical aids and assistive devices such as a wheelchair; and
- Supports that enable an individual to be self-sufficient and live independently such as in-home supports or personal care workers.
- financial assistance for a caregiver to provide daily supervision and guidance in a community-based residential setting; and
- Financial help for required home and vehicle modifications – $10,000 every 10 years for home modifications and $6,000 every eight years for a vehicle.
- assistance with finding or keeping a job including coaching, skills training, and supports for youth transitioning from the education system to the workforce; and
- Supports to enable active participation in the community such as day programming, personal aid or specialized transportation.
- respite for caregivers to allow for time for breaks to recharge; and
- Support to provide supervision for adults who are unable to stay home alone safely so that caregivers can go to work or school.
- Assistance for basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, household and personal supplies through what is called Assured Income.
Food Banks
The Upper Room Hospitality Ministry
33 Belmont St, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada, C1A 5G9
1.902.892.1995 (Soup Kitchen) OR 1.902.892.7092 (Food Bank)
The Food Bank gives out food hampers three times a week to those who need a little extra to get through the month. Food hampers consist of a variety of canned/boxed goods as well as vegetables, meat and fresh fruit when available.
Individuals must provide a piece of ID when picking up food hampers and can visit once a month for food collection. The staff and volunteers strive to make the experience as respectful and positive as possible.
Food Hampers are available Mon, Wed & Fri between 9-11 am.