Resources

Free, confidential telephone helpline and online directory connecting Ontarians to social services, community programmes, and supports including housing, disability benefits, home care, newcomer services, and health navigation. Dial 2-1-1.

Canada's national three-digit suicide prevention and crisis helpline; trained responders provide compassionate support in English and French, 24/7. People with chronic pain have significantly elevated rates of suicidal ideation — this line is an essential safety resource. Call or text 9-8-8.

Therapist-assisted internet-based CBT program with 10 self-paced modules addressing anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain management; available in English and French. Verify current funding status at ontario.abiliticbt.com. Cost: Check current eligibility.

National initiative working with Indigenous communities and clinicians to bridge the gap in understanding of Indigenous children's pain and improve healthcare experiences for Indigenous children; focuses on culturally safe pain care for paediatric Indigenous patients.

Ten community-led Indigenous health centres across Ontario providing primary care, traditional healing, mental health and addictions support, and culturally safe care to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit individuals both on and off reserve. No referral required, no fees.

The culmination of the Canadian Pain Task Force's three-year mandate (2019-2021), this report outlines Canada's national action plan for addressing chronic pain as a public health crisis. Relevant to HCPs as a policy document that frames the scope of chronic pain in Canada (1 in 5 Canadians), principles of person-centred, culturally safe care, recommended actions for improving HCP education and training, calls for national pain standards and competencies, and recommendations for Indigenous pain care.

Canada's largest arthritis organisation; provides evidence-based resources including a Pain Management Guide, online self-management modules, the Arthritis Rehabilitation and Education Programme (AREP — free physio and OT province-wide), and a directory of chronic pain programmes. Cost: Free. Phone: 1-800-321-1433.

Comprehensive evidence-based online guide covering arthritis pain mechanisms, self-management strategies, a drug-free pain management tool with research summaries, and a province-by-province directory of pain management programmes. Cost: Free.

Canadian network for brain-health needs including dementia and aging; its Pain section includes webinars, slides, and tools on pain and dementia for clinicians and caregivers, created in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. Cost: Free.

Standards, continuing education, and professional resources for Canadian OTs; OTs contribute to chronic pain management through functional capacity evaluation, activity analysis, ergonomics, workplace accommodation, graded activity, and functional restoration.

Canada's national knowledge and policy body on substance use and addiction; publishes evidence-based resources on opioids, cannabis, alcohol, and other substances relevant to people with chronic pain.

The CCA advocates for chiropractors' role in reducing opioid reliance through evidence-based non-pharmacologic musculoskeletal care; the CCGI provides clinical practice guidelines for chronic primary pain syndromes recommending education, self-care, graded activity, and interprofessional coordination.

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for managing chronic pain conditions including low back pain, neck pain, headache, and chronic primary pain syndromes; aligned with current international evidence for interprofessional primary care.

Canada's primary evidence-based guideline for opioid prescribing for chronic non-cancer pain, developed by the Michael G. DeGroote National Pain Centre; contains 10 recommendations supporting shared decision-making and restricts doses to <90 mg morphine equivalents daily. Open access in CMAJ.

National voice for hospice palliative care in Canada, providing public education, policy advocacy, and a library of palliative care resources including pain assessment tools and communication guides. Cost: Free.

Provincial branch of Canada's oldest mental health charity with 30 local branches providing counselling, peer support, crisis services, case management, housing support, and education programmes. Cost: Many programmes free or subsidized. Phone: 1-800-875-6213.

A patient-led non-profit dedicated to empathy, education, and empowerment for Canadians living with migraine. Provides virtual peer-led support groups (English and French, monthly meetings), a specialist finder, and educational resources. Ontario support groups listed on website.

Evidence-based CPS position statement (revised December 2024) on neonatal pain assessment and management, including non-pharmacological strategies and guidance on engaging parents as active pain care partners. Cost: Free.

Canada's multidisciplinary professional organisation for pain research and treatment, providing a consumer resources section, links to pain management guidelines, and information on the Canadian Pain Network and pain care advocacy efforts.

Monthly live educational webinars (last Friday of each month, 12:00-13:00 EST) for pain professionals and trainees spanning the full breadth of pain science, clinical care, policy, equity, and advocacy; recordings archived. National Pain Rounds for Trainees runs concurrently.

National Pain Rounds (monthly, free), Canadian Journal of Pain (open access), Annual Conference accredited CME, advocacy resources, and access to IASP educational resources and position papers.

Evidence-based position statements, practice guidelines, and the open-access Canadian Journal of Pain for pain specialists across all disciplines; the Annual Meeting provides accredited CME/CPD each spring.

Reports and consumer-facing materials from the Canadian Pain Task Force (2019-2021) describing the scope of chronic pain in Canada, access gaps, and evidence-based priorities for people living with pain. Cost: Free.

Extensive evidence-based compendium for pharmacists in opioid stewardship including guidelines, the Pharmacists' Opioid Stewardship Initiative (POSI), and accredited continuing education.

Professional resources, position statements, and the Graduate Certificate in Chronic Pain Management (online, interprofessional, for multiple professions); also provides access to the Pain Education in Physiotherapy (PEP) competency profile.

Curated opioid stewardship resources for hospital and clinical pharmacists including the Canadian Medication Optimisation Briefing on safe opioid transitions of care, links to the 2017 Canadian Guideline, and illustrative case studies.

Immunize Canada's CARD resource page for parents explains the CARD framework in plain language and provides downloadable materials to help families plan evidence-based coping strategies before and during vaccination visits.

Canada's only charity dedicated to children and families affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and paediatric rheumatic diseases; offers peer mentoring, a school toolkit, the ClassRheum Resource Hub, and family day events. Cost: Free.

Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital; offers a comprehensive Mental Illness & Addiction Index with evidence-based information on depression, anxiety, trauma, opioids, and benzodiazepines; Mental Health 101 online tutorials and the Thriving Minds Hub. Cost: Free.

Ontario-specific clinical decision-support tool for primary care organising chronic pain management into a stepwise, multimodal framework aligned with the 2017 Canadian Guideline; includes guidance on pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management and opioid tapering.

The Centre for Effective Practice develops evidence-based, Ontario-specific clinical decision-support tools for primary care providers. Pain-relevant tools include Management of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain (CNCP) Ontario, Opioid Manager (point-of-care checklist tool), and the Opioid Tapering Template. All CEP tools are free, Ontario-contextualised, and endorsed by the CFPC.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada's online CPD platform; pain-relevant modules include the PEER Simplified Chronic Pain Guideline for Primary Care (free), opioid use disorder modules, and an Opioids Clinical Primer; Mainpro+ credits submitted automatically. Free module (PEER guideline); full subscription $99 CAD/year.

Family-centred interdisciplinary service for children and youth in the Ottawa/Champlain region; services include CBT, mindfulness, physiotherapy, OT, and the Comfort Ability workshop for youth 10–17. Cost: OHIP-covered. Phone: 613-737-7600 ext. 3792.

Recorded CWTalks session on managing chronic pain in primary care, walking through options that clinicians and patients can weigh together.

Twenty specialty-specific recommendations for when opioids should not be first-line therapy; includes patient pamphlets, waiting room posters, and clinician decision support; supported by 30+ organisations.

Canada's largest independent non-profit charitable organisation for people with chronic pain; provides nationwide support networks, patient access to information, educational brochures, and a directory of support groups across Canada including Ontario.

Free webinars focused on chronic pain management for Canadian veterans and their families; topics include pain and identity, cannabis for chronic pain, yoga therapy for veterans, and impacts on veteran families.

A national research and knowledge network supporting collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and people living with chronic pain. Hosts PAIN+ CPN, a knowledge translation initiative providing access to current evidence-based research for healthcare professionals and individuals with pain.

Recorded webinar series from the Chronic Pain Network for researchers learning to work with patient partners and caregivers.

Central hub for family physicians including CPD programs, the 2017 Canadian Guideline, the Opioid Manager, the Opioid Tapering Template, and links to ECHO programs; also lists current accredited webinar series.

Mandatory practice standards for all Ontario nurses (RNs, RPNs, NPs) relevant to pain management, including Medication, Documentation, Consent, and Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship standards; webcasts, learning modules, and Practice Support consultation available.

Mandatory expectations for all Ontario physicians prescribing drugs; for opioids, requires comprehensive assessment, documentation, risk mitigation, and informed consent; companion Advice to the Profession document provides additional guidance on opioid agonist therapy and high-risk contexts.

Ontario's 75 CHCs provide comprehensive primary health care and social services to priority populations using an interprofessional team model; most services are free or offered on a sliding scale and OHIP is not required for many services. Many CHCs offer chronic pain management support, mental health counselling, addiction services, and physiotherapy.

Ontario's central navigation helpline connecting callers to mental health, addictions, and problem gambling services across the province; searchable database of 5,300+ programs.

In a partnership recognized with a 2019 award, specialists from the Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic host bi-weekly integrated pain management clinics at both De dwa da dehs nye>s sites, providing culturally safe, patient-centred pain care; Western and traditional medicine, ceremony, healers, and wisdom keepers are integrated into care.

Provincial association supporting local distress centres across Ontario offering 24/7 telephone listening and referrals.

ECHO Ontario is a network of virtual continuing professional development programmes that connect specialist hubs with primary-care providers across Ontario, including chronic pain and opioid stewardship streams.

Virtual support groups for people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders, facilitated by a counsellor with lived experience of EDS/chronic illness. These groups do not replace individual professional care.

A free 2-hour, evidence-based virtual skills workshop developed by pain psychologists at Stanford University, delivered monthly by Pain Canada's certified clinicians. Teaches essential pain management skills and helps participants create a personal pain relief plan. Requires only one session to complete.

A volunteer-driven peer support organisation for people with fibromyalgia across Canada, with a base in London, Ontario. Offers membership, virtual and in-person peer support groups (including a London in-person group at the London Intercommunity Health Centre), and online education and advocacy resources.

Offers a Fibro Warriors in-person peer support group in London, ON (3rd Monday of each month, 6:00-8:00 PM, London Intercommunity Health Centre), as well as virtual programming for members across Canada. Open to people with fibromyalgia 18+.

Francophone Ontarians have legislated rights to French-language health services in 26 designated areas; Health811, ConnexOntario, OSP, BounceBack, and 9-8-8 are all available in French; French-language CHCs operate across the province.

Evidence-based supervised exercise and education program for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis; 12 neuromuscular exercise sessions plus two education sessions; available in-person and virtually across Canada. Cost: Fees vary by clinic (not OHIP-covered).

Free, confidential, 24/7 professional counselling and crisis support helpline for post-secondary students in Ontario and Nova Scotia; supports students navigating the mental health impacts of chronic pain and disability. Cost: Free. Phone: 1-866-925-5454.

Free online chronic pain toolkit created in partnership between Grand Council Treaty 3's Health Transformation team, the Transitional Pain Service at UHN, and Ganawishkadawe (Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health at Women's College Hospital); sponsored by Health Canada. Combines Traditional Anishinaabe knowledge and Western medicine with stories from GCT3 community members in three chapters: What is Chronic Pain, Managing Chronic Pain, and Medical Care for Chronic Pain.

Downloadable in-school guide for students and teachers on supporting children and adolescents living with chronic pain.

Provincial quality standard outlining what high-quality care should look like for people living with chronic pain in Ontario, with statements for clinicians, patients, and the system.

Interdisciplinary outpatient program for Northeastern Ontario adults using Ontario Telemedicine Network to reduce travel burden; services available in English and French. Cost: OHIP-covered. Phone: 705-523-7100 ext. 2755.

Canadian multidisciplinary guidelines for reducing pain and fear during vaccine injections across the lifespan; adopted by the World Health Organization and freely available for clinicians and parents. Cost: Free.

Canada's first inpatient interdisciplinary paediatric pain service; a 2-week inpatient followed by 2-week day-patient intensive rehabilitation for youth 12–18 with severe persistent pain. Referrals accepted only from designated outpatient paediatric chronic pain clinics. Cost: OHIP-covered.

24/7 emotional support, crisis intervention, and referral line for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples across Canada; available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.

Structured framework for integrating pain education into psychology training at undergraduate and graduate levels; covers pain neurophysiology, psychological assessment of pain, evidence-based psychological interventions (CBT, ACT, mindfulness, biofeedback), and interprofessional collaboration.

Practical guide for health professional educators on integrating IASP curriculum outlines and North American Core Pain Competencies into existing curricula and CPD; includes a table of teaching methods matched to pain education examples.

Continuing series of free and member-only webinars produced by IASP; topics include neuropathic pain precision medicine, virtual reality for pain, pain and trauma, and clinical trial methodology. Many webinars are free to non-members, especially IASP Global Year theme webinars.

IASP's Pain Education, Research and Curriculum (PERC) platform lists upcoming live webinars covering diverse pain topics; free for IASP members, nominal fee for some non-member webinars.

Canada's national 24/7 mental health support service for young people; professional counselling by phone, live chat, and text in English, French, and 100+ languages. Cost: Free. Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text: 686868.

Serves Southeastern Ontario; offers ultrasound, radiofrequency ablation, physiotherapy, Explain Pain workshops, Empowered Relief workshops, and a virtual 8-week self-management group. Cost: OHIP-covered. Phone: 613-544-3400 ext. 22315.

Stanford-based Online Self-Management Programme delivered across Ontario for adults with chronic conditions including chronic pain, diabetes, arthritis, and respiratory disease; workshops are six weeks long and available province-wide. Cost: Free.

Biopsychosocial interdisciplinary model with a Child Inpatient Pain Service (ChIPS) and an Indigenous Pathway for culturally safe care. Cost: OHIP-covered. Phone: 519-685-8500 ext. 57920.

A provincially designated outpatient paediatric chronic pain clinic at McMaster Children's Hospital (Hamilton Health Sciences). Provides interdisciplinary assessment and management of chronic pain in children and adolescents. Listed in the Ontario Ministry of Health's chronic pain clinic directory. Referrals accepted from physicians and nurse practitioners.

Interdisciplinary outpatient clinic; services include education, mental health assessment, physiotherapy, OT, group treatment, parent/caregiver groups, and school collaboration. Cost: OHIP-covered. Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 73049.

An academic centre of excellence advancing pain research and evidence-based clinical guidelines. Published the widely used 2017 Canadian Guideline for Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain. Provides resources for both clinicians and patients.

Canada's largest academic, university-affiliated pain clinic; offers a free 8-session OHIP-funded Pain Management Program, a 5-week Intensive Pain Program (fee-for-service), a Pelvic Pain Program, and full interventional services. Cost: OHIP-covered for core services; Intensive Program is fee-for-service. Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 44621.

Canada's leading migraine organisation providing over 500 patient resources, a Patient Education Resource Kit (PERK), patient support programme navigation for migraine medications, and advocacy for the estimated 8.5 million Canadians affected. Cost: Free.

Monthly peer-led virtual support groups in English (daytime third Thursday and evening last Tuesday) and French (monthly). Groups are limited to 20 participants; registration via community email. Provide a safe, welcoming space to share experiences and gain practical tips.

Multiple Ontario pain clinics offer MBSR group programs; Sinai Health/TAPMI offers a 9-week online MBSR group for people with chronic pain (referral required). Cost: OHIP-covered at hospital-based clinics with referral; community programs vary.

One-on-one peer support, counselling, and group programs for people with mood disorders and their families; free virtual One-on-One Peer Support available province-wide, no diagnosis required. Cost: Free. Phone: 416-486-8046 (Toronto); 1-866-486-8236 (toll-free).

An evidence-based online resource developed by BC Children's Hospital for youth, young adults, and families managing chronic pain. Includes interactive educational modules, self-management tools, and guidance for navigating the healthcare system. Recommended by McMaster Children's Hospital Pediatric Chronic Pain Program for Ontario families.

Canada's national non-profit advancing recognition of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FM); provides educational materials for patients, medical professionals, and the public, and distributes a quarterly newsletter. Cost: Free (membership available).

Newcomers to Ontario can access CHC services without OHIP; CHCs such as Access Alliance (Toronto) offer free primary care, mental health support, settlement services, and interpretation for immigrants and refugees; Health811 (811) available in 200+ languages; 211 Ontario connects newcomers to settlement and community services.

A free, volunteer-run self-help group for people experiencing chronic non-malignant pain lasting more than 3 months. Meets monthly (first Tuesday, 10:30 AM-noon, in-person at PenFinancial Credit Union, St. Catharines) and virtually via Zoom (third Sunday, 2:00-3:30 PM). Provides peer connection, coping skills, and resource sharing. Run by non-medical volunteers.

Provincially funded outpatient interdisciplinary pain program serving children and youth in Northwestern Ontario; one of six designated Ontario pediatric chronic pain clinics. Cost: OHIP-covered. Phone: 807-623-7161.

One-year enhanced skills programme in chronic pain management offered through the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM); specifically designed to build capacity for chronic pain care in rural and Northern Ontario.

NOSM University offers a 3-6 month PGY3 Enhanced Skills residency in Chronic Pain Management described as a first of its kind residency offered in Northern Ontario. The program prepares family physicians for focused-practice chronic pain care in underserviced populations. Training occurs primarily in Thunder Bay within an interdisciplinary setting.

A one-year fellowship offered jointly by the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and NOSM University. The fellowship provides comprehensive training including regional anesthesia, postoperative acute pain service, and outpatient chronic pain management (approximately 1,800 procedures annually).

FREE physiotherapy for adults 65+, children and youth 19 and under, any age after an overnight hospital stay or day surgery, and recipients of Ontario Works or ODSP; self-referral permitted since April 1, 2024 — contact a participating Community Physiotherapy Clinic directly.

Free, mobile-friendly, 13-module curriculum created by 40+ international experts based on the IASP core curriculum; covers pain assessment, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment, procedural pain, neonatal pain, and more; certificate of completion available.

Professional association representing social workers in Ontario; provides practice standards, continuing education, and advocacy resources; social workers play a critical role in psychosocial assessment, addressing social determinants of health, and delivering evidence-based psychosocial interventions in chronic pain care.

Free caregiver helpline, peer support, virtual counselling, and educational events for the estimated 3.3 million Ontarians providing unpaid care to family members, partners, or friends — including those supporting individuals with chronic pain. Available 24/7.

Standards for prescribing, dispensing, and monitoring controlled substances in Ontario including opioids; addresses narcotic record-keeping, refusal of suspicious prescriptions, and naloxone co-dispensing; Ontario pharmacists are authorised to dispense free take-home naloxone kits to patients with opioid prescriptions.

ODSP is Ontario's income and benefit support program for adults with significant disabilities that substantially restrict their daily activities. Supports include income support, prescription drug coverage, dental and vision care, medical supplies, and employment support.

Covers the cost of most prescription drugs for ODSP recipients, OW recipients, Ontarians 65+, residents of long-term care homes, and other eligible groups. Small co-pay or free depending on program stream.

Secure web-based tool allowing physicians and nurse practitioners timely specialist advice for chronic pain without requiring an in-person referral; median response time 1.9 days; 36% of chronic pain eConsults avoided an unnecessary referral. Ontario physicians can bill K738 for eConsult requests.

FREE exercise and falls prevention classes for Ontarians aged 65+ through local community partners, incorporating balance, strength, and mobility training. Access via Health811 (call 811) or Seniors INFOline 1-888-910-1999. Cost: Free.

Supports harm reduction across Ontario through knowledge exchange, training, and advocacy; OHRN Learning offers free online courses and webinars on naloxone training, drug checking, and safer use practices.

Five Vendor-of-Record digital health solutions for chronic pain management available to Ontario health care organisations through streamlined procurement, including Manage My Pain (ManagingLife), NexJ Connected Wellness, Kaia Health, Thrive Health, and Input Health.

Professional association for kinesiologists in Ontario; kinesiologists contribute through individualised exercise programming, functional capacity evaluation, return-to-work fitness assessments, and active rehabilitation for chronic pain conditions.

Free naloxone kits available at pharmacies and community organisations across Ontario for anyone at risk of or witnessing an opioid overdose; no prescription required. Free online overdose response training at getnaloxonenow.org.

Public directory to find a registered psychologist or psychological associate in Ontario, searchable by location and area of concern; private psychological services are generally not OHIP-covered but may be covered by extended health benefits or EAPs.

Province-wide FREE program offering evidence-based CBT for adults with depression, anxiety, and anxiety-related disorders that commonly co-occur with chronic pain; includes Guided Self-Help (BounceBack, Clinician-Assisted Bibliotherapy) and individual or group CBT. No OHIP card required. Cost: Free.