Health & Wellness - Vaughan Public Libraries

Health & Wellness

Supporting Wellness Through Health Literacy

Health literacy helps people make informed choices about their well-being. We are here to help connect you to reliable health information, expert advice, and useful resources. Whether you are curious about a medical topic or simply want to stay informed, we can help you feel more confident about matters of health.

We are proud to be partnered with Mackenzie Health to extend support for wellness beyond the hospital setting. A library within a hospital helps bridge the gap between medical expertise and everyday understanding.

Learn more about Mackenzie Health Vaughan Library

Browse our Library Collection

With your library card you have access to over 5,000 health-related materials. This includes books, ebooks, magazines, DVDs, and more. You may pick up items at any library location. If you need help finding something, please Contact Us.

Special Health Literacy Collection

Available at Mackenzie Health Vaughan Library, this special collection serves the patients and visitors of the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. It's a collection of titles that support the hospital's departments and specialities.

Childbirth and Parenting

Chronic Disease

Domestic Abuse & Assault

For Kids: On Illness & Loss

Health & Wellness Programming

We offer programs to boost health literacy through workshops, expert talks, and resources that help people make informed choices. Our programs also aim to raise awareness about various health issues and how we can prevent, manage, or support others through them.

Upcoming Programs

Minds in Motion

Carrville Library

Monday, May 25, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Adults living with dementia and their care partners can join Minds in Motion, a program series combining gentle physical activity with cognitive...

View Schedule

Combatting Summer Slide

Online Program

Monday, June 15, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

The "summer slide" can be even more challenging for children with learning disorders. Learn strategies for combatting this phenomenon...

View Schedule Register

View Full Calendar

More Health Literacy Programming on Eventbrite.

Staff Recommendations

Below are recommendations selected by library staff to help you learn more about various health topics. Select a category to view the lists.

Diabetes Resources Alzheimer's and Brain Health Breast Cancer Awareness Month Hypertension Awareness Month Stroke Survivors and Families

Dyslexia Awareness Month Oral Health Care Feelings Doctor Visits, Sniffles and a bit of TLC 10 Picture Books About Welcoming a New Sibling

Alzheimer's and Brain Health Fall Prevention

External Organisations

Below is a curated list of links that connects you to valuable tools, information, or communities that promote health literacy and wellbeing.

Associations and Societies

Alzheimer Society York Region

The local branch of Canada's Alzheimer Society. Provides education and support services, fundraising, and family-centered services in support of improving the quality of life of Alzheimer sufferers of York Region and their families.

Prepared By: Alzheimer Society York Region

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 3/9/26

http://www.alzheimer-york.com/

Bereaved Families of Ontario

For over 40 years Bereaved Families of Ontario has been supporting grieving Ontarians. Bereaved Families of Ontario is a province wide organization dedicated to bereavement support through self-help and mutual aid, including a York Region affiliate.

Prepared By: Bereaved Families of Ontario

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://bereavedfamilies.net/

Cancer Care Ontario

Cancer Care Ontario is now part of Ontario Health, an agency created by the Government of Ontario with a mandate to connect and coordinate our province’s health care system to help ensure that Ontarians receive the best possible care. It features reliable cancer information, local services finder, and information on Indigenous healing services.

Prepared By: Government of Ontario

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.cancercareontario.ca/

Epilepsy York Region

Founded in 1988, Epilepsy York Region (EYR) is a non-profit multi-service agency, member run and volunteer driven. EYR advocates on behalf of individuals with seizure disorders, promotes public awareness of epilepsy, and seizure disorders. EYR develops programs based upon the needs of their constituents, and provides educational resources and opportunities.

Prepared By: Epilepsy York Region

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://epilepsyyork.org/

Hope + Me

Hope + Me offers free support programs to people across Ontario, and their families, who are living with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.

Prepared By: Mood Disorders Association of Ontario

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://hopeandme.org/

Hypertension Canada

Hypertension Canada is the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to the prevention and control of hypertension and its complications. With information for both public consumers and health professionals, their website provides free resources to help control your blood pressure.

Prepared By: Hypertension Canada

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://hypertension.ca/

Kerry's Place

Kerry's Place is Canada’s largest service provider to families with children, adolescents, and adults, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), serving more than 8,000 people with ASD and their families each year. They have been committed to enhancing the quality of life of persons with ASD since 1974.

Prepared By: Kerry's Place

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://kerrysplace.org/

National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC)

National Easting Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) provides information, resources, referrals and support to Canadians affected by eating disorders.

Prepared By: NEDIC, UHN Foundation

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://nedic.ca/

General Health and Wellness

Apply for OHIP and get a Health Card

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) pays for many health services you may need. Here’s how to apply for OHIP and get a health card.

Prepared By: Government of Ontario

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card

BounceBack Ontario - Canadian Mental Health Association

BounceBack® is a free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). It is designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.

Prepared By: Canadian Mental Health Association

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://bouncebackontario.ca/

Centralhealthline.ca

Health care services offered at home, at school, and in the community, as well as access to supported living programs and long-term care, are coordinated by Home and Community Care Support Services to ensure people of all ages can make informed choices about their care, when and where they need it. Effective April 1, 2021 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) will operate under a new registered business name: Home and Community Care Support Services.

Prepared By: thehealthline.ca

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.centralhealthline.ca/listServices.aspx?id=10121&region=YorkRegion

Health Canada

The official website of Health Canada provides information on health care, healthy living, diseases and conditions.

Prepared By: Health Canada

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 4/23/25

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php

Health Canada – Radon

The official website of Health Canada provides information on radon gas, testing, and reducing levels in your home.

Prepared By: Health Canada

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 4/23/25

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-risks-safety/radiation/radon.html

Take Action on Radon

Take Action on Radon is a national initiative, funded by Health Canada, to bring together radon stakeholders and raise awareness on radon across Canada.

Prepared By: Take Action on Radon

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 4/23/25

https://takeactiononradon.ca/

TELUS Health CBT

A free digital mental health support service catering to those who require cognitive behavioral therapy.

Prepared By: TELUS Health

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://myicbt.com/home

Vaughan Community Health Centre

A not-for-profit and community-governed organization catering to those who suffer from mental health and addiction use. Their services are available to those who reside in the Western and Northern York Region.

Prepared By: Vaughan Community Health Centre

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

http://www.vaughanchc.com/

York Region Health

York Region helps residents stay healthy at all ages and stages. With evidence-based public health programs and services, York Region Health hosts up-to-date local resources including Vaughan specific health clinics.

Prepared By: York Region

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.york.ca/health

Hospitals and Health Centres

Family Services York Region

Counselling and Community Support Services in York Region.

Prepared By: Family Services York Region

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.fsyr.ca/

Health Services for York Region

This website provides resources for those who may require mental health, addiction, care planning, etc. assistance in the York Region area.

Prepared By: Health Line

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.centralhealthline.ca/

Mackenzie Health

Mackenzie Health is a full service 430-bed community hospital that serves more than 300,000 residents in the York and Simcoe Regions. This website provides information about the hospital's physicians, services, annual reports, events, careers, volunteer opportunities and more.

Prepared By: MacKenzie Health

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

http://www.mackenziehealth.ca

Sexual Health Clinics, York Region

York Region’s Sexual Health Clinics provide health care services at no cost, in a non-judgmental and inclusive environment. Use this website to find the closest one to you.

Prepared By: York Region

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.york.ca/health/sexual-health/sexual-health-clinics

Vaughan Community Health Centre

Prepared By: Vaughan Community Health Centre

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

http://www.vaughanchc.com/

Western York Region Ontario Health Team

The Western York Region Ontario Health Team is focused on co-ordinating services with community partners to provide better patient outcomes in King, Vaughan and Richmond Hill. Their goal is to deliver co-ordinated services and a pathway to better living.

Prepared By: Western York Region Ontario Health Team

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 3/7/26

https://westernyorkregionoht.ca/

Nutrition and Diet

Canada's Food Guide

Canada's Food Guide is a document from Health Canada that provides guidelines for healthy eating.

Prepared By: Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 2/13/25

https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/

Food Labels - Government of Canada

Learn how to understand food labels and how to make informed choices about food products.

Prepared By: Government of Canada

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 2/13/25

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/food-labels.html

Unlock Food

Unlock Food contains information on nutrition, food and healthy eating, as well as recipes and online tools.

Prepared By: Dieticians of Canada

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 2/13/25

https://www.unlockfood.ca/en/default.aspx

York Region Food Network

York Region Food Network connects and empowers people to access healthy food through education and advocacy.

Prepared By: York Region Food Network

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 2/13/25

https://yrfn.ca/

Older Adult Health

Centralhealthline.ca

Prepared By: thehealthline.ca

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.centralhealthline.ca/listServices.aspx?id=10121&region=YorkRegion

Community and Home Assistance to Seniors (CHATS)

CHATS is a not-for-profit charitable organization that enhances the health, wellness, and independence of more than 8,500 York Region and South Simcoe seniors and caregivers each year

Prepared By: CHATS

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.chats.on.ca/

Health Canada: Just for You - Seniors

Health information specifically for older adults, e.g., disability, preventing falls, sexual activity.

Prepared By: Health Canada

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

http://hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/jfy-spv/seniors-aines-eng.php

Hospice Vaughan

Provides non-residential care for people approaching death and for their family and caregivers. Services include individual counseling, grief support groups, respite care, volunteer visitors with practical assistance.

Prepared By: Hospice Vaughan

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

http://www.hospicevaughan.com/

Hypertension Canada

Prepared By: Hypertension Canada

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://hypertension.ca/

Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care

The official Web site of the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care, providing information about Ontario healthcare initiatives and programs, in addition to consumer health information about common health issues and concerns.

Prepared By: Ontario Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care, Toronto, Ontario

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-long-term-care

Seniors: Caregiving

Support for caregivers of older adults, including tax credits, employment benefits, wills and estates, and end of life decisions.

Prepared By: Government of Ontario

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.ontario.ca/page/seniors-caregiving

York Region Long Term Care and Supports

York Region provides services to promote the health, well-being, safety and independence of individuals requiring care. Services such as adult day programs, client intervention and support, convalescent care, long-term care homes and the short stay respite programs are available to all residents.

Prepared By: York Region

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/health/yr/longtermcareandsupports

Reliable Consumer Health Information

HealthLinkBC

This website provides medically-approved information on more than 5,000 health topics and symptoms. It includes interactive health tools and tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Prepared By: Province of British Columbia

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/

Mayo Clinic

An online initiative of the internationally renowned, U.S. based Mayo Clinic, this site's stated mission is to "empower people to manage their health." Includes information on a broad range of medical diseases and conditions, drugs, and treatment centres. Also includes a section on managing medical conditions and healthy lifestyle tips.

Prepared By: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education & Research

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.mayoclinic.org/

MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Their mission is to present high-quality, relevant health and wellness information that is trusted, easy to understand, and free of advertising, in both English and Spanish. Anywhere, anytime, on any device—for free.

Prepared By: National Library of Medicine (NLM)

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://medlineplus.gov/

UpToDate - Patient Education

UpToDate provides evidence-based clinical information for health professionals. The Beyond the Basics Patient Education portal is free, and is best for readers who want detailed information and are comfortable with some medical terminology.

Prepared By: Wolters Kluwer

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 2/24/25

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/table-of-contents/patient-information

York Region Health

Prepared By: York Region

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.york.ca/health

Youth Health

360 Kids

360 Kids helps youth overcome crisis and transition to a state of safety and stability. The name 360 kids refers to the comprehensive approach that the organization takes to assisting at-risk youth and surrounding them with care, recognizing that these kids need a wide range of supports to help them rebuild their lives.

Prepared By: 360 Kids

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.360kids.ca/

Al-Anon/Alateen Ontario South

Al-Anon Family Groups are a community resource providing support to anyone affected by a relative or friend’s drinking. Alateen is part of the Al-Anon program, which has their own individual meetings that focus on teenagers.

Prepared By: Ontario South Al-Anon/Alateen

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://al-anon.alateen.on.ca/

Boomerang Health

Located in Vaughan, SickKids launched Boomerang Health as a new, independent but wholly owned, healthcare centre to provide the York Region community with greater access to community-based services for children and adolescents. This is a new model of healthcare delivery for SickKids as the centre enables us – through Boomerang Health – to treat children who would normally be referred to community partners and provide high quality care closer to home for children and their families.

Prepared By: SickKids

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.boomeranghealth.com/

BounceBack Ontario - Canadian Mental Health Association

Prepared By: Canadian Mental Health Association

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://bouncebackontario.ca/

Children Services, York Region

York Region has local information for taking care of your child at all stages. Highlights include Early Intervention Services (EIS), Early Development Services (EDS), and the Red Flags Guide.

Prepared By: York Region

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.york.ca/support/childrens-services

Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French. KHP connects children, youth and parents to online help. Includes an interactive online discussion forum.

Prepared By: Kids Help Phone

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://kidshelpphone.ca/

LGBT Youth Line

YouthLine offers anonymous, confidential and non-judgmental 2SLGBTQ+ peer support via phone, text or online chat.

Prepared By: Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.youthline.ca/

MOBYSS: Mobile Youth Walk-In Clinic

The Mobile Youth Walk-In Clinic (MOBYSS) offers a safe space to talk to a medical or mental health professional in a warm, welcoming, and friendly environment. Their mobile walk-in clinic is staffed by a nurse practitioner, youth mental health worker, and peer support specialist. Their services are 100% free and confidential with staff who are caring and non-judgmental. A health card is not required and there are no referral requirements.

Prepared By: CMHA York Region and South Simcoe

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://cmha-yr.on.ca/get-support/mobyss-12-to-25/

Oak Valley Health – Child Development Programs (CDP)

Oak Valley Health is a local resource that provides access to health care specialists who aid children with speech, language, hearing, and vision difficulties.

Prepared By: Oak Valley Health – Child Development Programs

Date Reviewed by Vaughan Public Libraries: 12/23/24

https://www.childdevelopmentprograms.ca/

Health & Wellness Resources

Food for Thought

A youth-driven magazine by York Region's Youth Food Committee, showcasing original essays, art, poetry, photography, and recipes.

View

Gale Virtual Reference Library

Provides access to specialized reference sources in various subjects including medicine and health science.

Explore

Blog Posts on Health Topics

Our Health Literacy Specialist occasionally contributes to Hot Off The Shelf, the library's blog featuring posts from staff across a range of subjects. These health-focused entries highlight timely topics, recommended reads, and programs designed to support your wellness journey.

Need help?

If you need more information or require assistance, please reach out to us.

Supporting Wellness Through Health Literacy

Browse our Library Collection

Special Health Literacy Collection

Health & Wellness Programming

Staff Recommendations

External Organisations

Associations and Societies

General Health and Wellness

Hospitals and Health Centres

Nutrition and Diet

Older Adult Health

Reliable Consumer Health Information

Youth Health

Health & Wellness Resources

Blog Posts on Health Topics

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