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Lifeline Windsor Project
If you’re thinking about ending your life or if you are feeling hopeless, support is available right now.
You are important and your life is worth protecting.
Please reach out. We’re here for you and we’ll help you through this.
You are not alone.
Scroll to find support that’s comfortable for you – call, text, or meet in person.
Get Help Now
How to Start the Conversation
Reaching out for help takes real courage. It’s okay if starting the conversation feels hard — you get to begin in the way that feels safest for you.
If you’re thinking about suicide or self-injury, letting the helper know early can make it easier for them to give you the support you need.
Here are a few ways you could start the conversation when you call a helpline:
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Start where you are
• I found this phone number on a suicide crisis sign at the riverfront in Windsor.
• I’m thinking about ending my life.
• I’ve been thinking about hurting myself.
• I’m not sure how to explain what’s happening.
• I’m struggling to put how I’m feeling into words.
• I don’t know how to start.
• I’ve never reached out to this service before – can you please tell me more about what to expect?
• It’s hard for me to open up but I really need to talk.
• I’m nervous about calling today. -
Open with a general statement
- I’m feeling really…
- I’m having a hard time coping with…
- It feels like everything is falling apart.
- I haven’t been feeling like myself lately.
- I’m in crisis.
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Be specific about what led you to reach out
- I’m feeling worried about the conflict in my family.
- My partner and I broke up.
- I’m falling behind in school.
- I’m struggling with depression.
- I’m having a panic attack.
- I’ve lost someone I love.
How to Communicate What You Need
Many helplines will ask what you need most from the conversation, so they can offer support that truly helps you. But it’s okay if you’re not sure what you need right now — that can be really hard to figure out, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed or when your needs haven’t always been met.
Here are some prompts to help you find the words to share when you reach out to a helpline:
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Reflect
- What thoughts, emotions, or experiences led you to reach out?
- What care would be most helpful to receive?
- Do you need someone to help you find options for staying safe?
- Do you need someone to just listen so you can have space to express how you’re feeling?
- Do you need someone to validate your emotions to help you feel less alone?
- Do you need someone to help you explore coping skills for difficult emotions?
- Do you need someone to help you problem solve?
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Express
When you have a better idea of what you need, it’s easier to tell your counsellor how they can help you.
Here are some examples of what you could say:
- I need help staying safe.
- I need someone to listen and validate my emotions.
- I need someone to help me solve problems and identify my options.
- I need help figuring out ways to cope.
- I need a space to process what I’m feeling right now.
- I just need to know that someone cares.
- I just need to know that I’m not alone in this and to talk it through with someone safe.
- What you’re doing right now is helpful.
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If the conversation isn’t going the way you need it to
Sometimes conversations don’t go as we hope. You might feel misunderstood, or the helper’s approach might not feel like the right fit for you in that moment. That’s okay — it doesn’t mean help isn’t possible.
It can take a bit of clarification, or a different way of expressing what you’re feeling, to feel truly heard and supported. What matters most is that you keep reaching for the support you deserve. Even if the first conversation doesn’t feel right, there are still people who want to listen and help you through this.
Here are some things you can say to help get the conversation back on track:
- I appreciate what you are saying. What would be most helpful right now is…
- I’m feeling a little misunderstood. Would it be okay if I explain that again?
- When I said… what I meant was…
- I understand where you’re coming from. I think what I need right now is…
- For the rest of our conversation, I would like to talk about…
- I’m feeling unsure about how this conversation is going. Do you think we could take a few minutes to clarify what I need from our time together?
If a conversation doesn’t feel helpful, remember — it’s not your fault. There are many other people and places you can reach out to for support, including the ones listed below. Keep reaching out — you deserve to find the care and understanding that helps you feel safe.
Free 24/7 Crisis Services
Community Crisis Line
Crisis support from trained professionals for everyone in Windsor-Essex.
Call: 519-973-4435
www.hdgh.org/crisis
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Support for anyone in Canada thinking about suicide or worried about someone.
Call or text: 9-8-8
www.988.ca
Crisis Text Line
Emotional support provided by trained volunteers for anyone living in Canada.
Text: CONNECT to 686868
www.kidshelpphone.ca/need-help-now-text-us/
Kids Help Phone
Professional counselling for kids, teens and young adults across Canada.
Call: 1-800-668-6868
www.kidshelpphone.ca
Good2Talk
Mental health support for Ontario post-secondary students, with translation in 100+ languages.
Call:1-866-925-5454 (professional counsellors)
Text: GOOD2TALKON to 686868 (trained volunteers)
www.good2talk.ca
Hope for Wellness
Helpline for Indigenous people across Canada.
Call: 1-855-242-3310
www.hopeforwellness.ca
Free In Person Crisis Services
If you can safely travel for in-person crisis support:
Support for Children & Teens (ages up to15)
Windsor Regional Hospital Emergency Department
Crisis support for individuals aged 15 and under in Windsor-Essex County who are facing a mental health or addictions crisis.
Crisis Walk-In Hours: 24/7
Location: 1995 Lens Ave., Windsor, ON
Support for Youth & Adults Ages (ages 16 and up)
Mental Health & Addictions Urgent Crisis Centre
Crisis support for individuals aged 16+ within Windsor-Essex County who are experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis.
Crisis Walk-in Hours: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, 7 days a week
Location: 1030 Ouellette Ave., next to the Goyeau Street entrance of Windsor Regional Hospital’s Ouellette Campus Emergency Department
www.hdgh.org/mhaucc
Support for All Ages
Erie Shores Health Care
Location: 194 Talbot St. W., Leamington, ON
Emergency Room
Ages: All ages
www.erieshoreshealthcare.ca
Support for Young People (ages 12-25)
Youth Wellness Hub Windsor-Essex
Access to mental health, substance use services, primary care, community, and social services. No wait times, walk-in services available.
Location: 106-215 Eugenie St. W., Windsor, ON
Walk-in Hours: Monday to Friday 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
www.youthhubygq.com
The Story Behind the Lifeline Windsor Project Logo
United for Hope. Committed to Life.
The Lifeline Windsor Project logo is more than a design, it’s a living emblem of compassion, resilience, and unity. Every symbol woven into its composition tells part of the story of Windsor’s collective stand for public safety and suicide prevention, and its commitment to saving lives.
Born from partnership and purpose, the Lifeline Windsor Project represents a community lifeline – a connection between agencies that serve, protect, educate, and care for the most vulnerable. Rooted in Windsor, Ontario, this initiative embodies what it means for a city to act with heart.
A New Era of Public Safety: The COMPASS Stations
The Concept
The Lifeline Windsor Project is a bold, community-driven initiative created to proactively address the rise in accidental drownings, suicide attempts, and deaths by water along Windsor’s waterfront. Built around strong partnerships, the project focuses on installing eco-friendly suicide prevention signage and expanding and upgrading life buoy systems in strategic locations to reduce risks associated with easy water access.
Grounded in international best practices but tailored to Windsor’s local needs, the project introduces COMPASS Stations:
Crisis Outreach Markers for Prevention, Assistance, Support & Safety
Each COMPASS Station pairs a life buoy with a companion crisis sign, providing immediate access to help, crisis resources, and a unique zone-coded location identifier that assists emergency responders and enhances public wayfinding.
Two complementary models form the foundation of this lifesaving network:
• CSI COMPASS Stations (Crisis–Suicide Intervention) focus on suicide awareness, prevention, and rescue, featuring compassionate direct messaging and life-saving equipment.
• PSAP COMPASS Stations (Public Safety Assistance Points) support broader emergencies involving mental health crises, accidents, disorientation, or crime.
Together, these stations strengthen public safety and establish a visible network of safety waypoints along Windsor’s waterfront—anchors of reassurance that remind everyone: help is here, and you are never alone.
Symbolism and Meaning
- The Heartbeat “W” Lifeline
At the center of the logo, a stylized heartbeat forms the letter “W”, symbolizing Windsor’s collective pulse. It reminds us that when one life falters, the entire community responds. It’s a promise of connection, vigilance, and shared humanity. - The Yellow Life Buoy
Positioned within the heartbeat is a bright yellow life buoy – a universal emblem of rescue and renewal. It symbolizes Windsor’s new life-saving infrastructure along the waterfront and echoes the yellow ribbon of suicide prevention, reminding us that hope is always within reach. - The Bridge
The cable-stayed bridge prominently featured in the logo symbolizes a connection that spans borders, uniting nations, agencies, and hearts. It honors the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and the Gordie Howe International Bridge Project, whose compassion and generosity made this initiative possible. Transcending its role as mere infrastructure, the bridge is both a literal and metaphorical link for connectedness, corporate humanity, and dedicated civic leadership. - The Graduation Cap and Diploma
The graduation cap and diploma symbolize the creativity and dedication of the University of Windsor’s Mental Health and Wellness Services. These images honor the significant intellectual and emotional investment of the staff who developed thoughtful design, messaging, and awareness-building tools. - The Boat and Anchor of the Windsor Port Authority
These elements represent the Windsor Port Authority’s steadfast commitment to water safety and their stewardship of the Detroit River. Together, they remind us that even the most practical roles—maritime, municipal, or protective—are rooted in humanity and care. - The Windsor Police Shield and CMHA Symbol
Leading the charge is the Windsor Police Service, signifying the critical leadership of the Missing Person Investigations Risk Coordinator and the Mental Health Crisis Teams’ Inspector in recognizing the rising risks of suicide by water and accidental drownings. Alongside it, the Canadian Mental Health Association’s symbol acts as a visual pledge, representing healing, advocacy, and partnership in crisis care. - The City of Windsor Emblem
Completing the circle of collaboration, the City of Windsor emblem honors the essential role of Parks Operations, whose support and infrastructure enable installation of the new COMPASS Stations. It symbolizes civic pride and a shared responsibility for every life within our public spaces. - The Surrounding Water
Flowing beneath and around the central icons, the gentle waves of blue and green represent both the beauty and the unpredictability of our waterfront, signifying the emotional realities of crisis. These calming colors were chosen deliberately to embody empathy, serenity, and hope. They serve as a powerful reminder that, even when the waters are rough, Windsor stands steady. - The Gold Rings
Encircling the entire logo are golden rings, symbolizing the preciousness of life and the unity of partnership. Gold, the color of value, dignity, and light, transforms these rings into a protective embrace, echoing the community’s vow to uphold every life as sacred and irreplaceable.
Our Message: You Matter
The Lifeline Windsor Project logo speaks with one unified voice: You matter.
Even in moments of despair, your life has infinite worth. Inspired by ancient wisdom that reminds us of the boundless value of every human life:
“Whoever saves a single life, it is as if he had saved the whole world.”
This guiding truth drives the Windsor Police Service and all partner agencies to act decisively, compassionately, and collaboratively to protect life in every form.
Together – united for hope, committed to life – we are Lifeline Windsor.
Media
“Don’t Jump, You Matter – Windsor Lifeline Project targets significant tally in waterfront deaths”
– Windsor Star, November 20, 2025