In Crisis?
If You Need Immediate Help and Are At Risk of Doing Harm To Yourself
Crisis Services Canada/Suicide Prevention Hot Line
1-833-456-4566
Kids Help Phone
https://kidshelpphone.ca
1-800-668-6868
Mental Health Helpline
http://www.mentalhealthhelpline.ca/
1-866-531-2600
Pregnant? Need Help?
If you or someone you know is pregnant and needs support please call the national 24hr help line 1-800-665-0570. It is operated by professional trained volunteers who are available day and night to take your call. They are there to listen to your needs and connect you to the closest pregnancy care centre or other resources.
Teen Pregnancy
If you are a teenager considering abortion, please consider these facts:
Teen abortion has been linked to a number of physical and psychological problems including drug and alcohol abuse, suicide attempts and suicide ideation, and other self destructive behaviours.
Teenagers who have abortions are two to four times more likely to commit suicide, are more likely to develop psychological problems, more likely to have troubled relationships, and generally in need of counselling and guidance after their abortion.
Abortion also comes with a number of physical risks including damage to the cervix, increased risk for breast cancer and future pre-term births. If you or a teenager you know is facing an unplanned pregnancy and are considering abortions please know the risks involved. Abortion is a traumatic, violent act that will not improve your situation. Please contact a crisis pregnancy and get help and support now. You are not alone. There is hope. We encourage you to make the most informed and best choice now and for the future for both YOU and your baby.
Choice42 website has a number of personal stories/videos about young women who have faced an unplanned pregnancy. You can use this link to get to them: https://www.choice42.com/stories/
The following website can also provide you with additional information/insights on teen pregnancy. https://standupgirl.com/
If You Live in or Around Thunder Bay
Currently the closest Crisis Pregnancy Centre to Thunder Bay is in Winnipeg. You can contact them by phone at 1-800-665-0570. They are a wonderful group of people, and each one of them has been affected in some way by a difficult pregnancy. They understand that any choice you make now will change your life. Call them at 1-800-665-0570 or email them at info@pregnancy.ca. You can also text them at 204-665-0570 (just be patient – they are a volunteer run centre so sometimes it may take a little time to text you back!) All of their services are confidential and free.
WHAT IS A PREGNANCY CARE CENTRE?
Pregnancy Centres are a great place to turn to for information and support. They are free and confidential centres that offer non-judgemental pregnancy counselling, free baby supplies, school and career planning, housing information, parenting classes, post abortion counselling and much more. There are also Maternity Homes which can provide homes for pregnant women who need a place to live.
To locate a pregnancy center or support resource near you, please visit the Choice42 website, which maintains a current listing of centres where you can get support: https://www.choice42.com/impregnant
Post Abortion Support
Research results indicate that abortion is much more harmful and devastating to women than previously known.
Symptoms of post-abortion trauma may include: bouts of crying, depression, guilt, inability to forgive oneself, intense grief/sadness, anger/rage, emotional numbness, sexual problems or promiscuity, eating disorders, low self-esteem, drug and alcohol abuse, nightmares and sleep disturbances, suicidal urges, difficulty with relationships, anxiety and panic attacks, flashbacks, multiple abortions, pattern of repeat crisis pregnancy, discomfort around babies or pregnant women, fear/ambivalence of pregnancy.
RACHEL’S VINEYARD
Rachel’s Vineyard is an international organization that offers post-abortive counselling and healing retreats for women, men and other family members impacted by abortion.
Visit their website for more information or call their hot-line at 1-877.hope.4.me
http://www.rachelsvineyard.org/
If you live in or around the Thunder Bay area and are seeking support or wish to take part in a healing retreat you may contact the following:
Mary-Jo McDermott 807-252-7420 or email her at cocoa@tbaytel.net.
Terry Howard 807-683-7066 or email her at thoward@tbaytel.net
CONFIDENTIALITY IS ASSURED
Please check our Events Page for information/dates of upcoming retreats.
THE ELLIOT INSITUTE
Information about the short and long term impact of abortion can also be found through The Elliot Institute. Founded in 1988, the Elliot Institute is the only organization dedicated full-time to research, education and outreach regarding the effects of abortion on women, men, families and society.
You can visit their website here: http://www.afterabortion.org/
Help For Men
Men also suffer post abortive trauma. If you are a father, partner, sibling, or grandparent who has lost a child through abortion please know that you are not alone and that there are individuals and organizations available to help.
Rachel's Vineyard MEN
1-877-HOPE-4-ME (1-877-467-3463)
www.RachelsVineyard.org/men