Doctors in BC continue to ask people to seek medical help when they need it—don't put off going to a doctor, clinic, or hospital if you are unwell. If you think you have a mental illness or start to experience new or worsening symptoms of a mental illness, seek help! Talk to your family doctor or contact your mental health care provider. If you don't have a family doctor, you can contact a walk-in clinic. Some clinics ask that patients call first to consult with a doctor and some clinics have changed their operating hours, so it's a good idea to check with your usual walk-in clinic. You can find walk-in clinics, mental health intakes, and other services through HealthLink BC.
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Free psychotherapy or counselling
Adults and older adults
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Book a virtual appointment to talk with a graduate student clinician at UBC Okanagan for up to 30 minutes through the Walk-In Wellness Clinic
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Find a directory of free and low-cost mental health supports across BC
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Vist Welless Together Canada to access free counselling and support as well as self-guided courses, apps, and other resources
Post-secondary students
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Free single-session counselling and referrals through Here2Talk: download the Here2Talk app, call 1-877-857-3397 (or 604-642-5212 in the Lower Mainland), or visit here2talk.ca
Young people
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For young people to age 20, talk to a counsellor through Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or chat at kidshelpphone.ca (available 24/7)
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For youth ages 12-24, talk with a counsellor through Foundry Virtual. Visit foundrybc.ca/get-support/virtual/
Paid psychotherapy or counselling
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BC Psychological Association: Find a Registered Psychologist at www.psychologists.bc.ca/find_psychologist
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BC Association of Clinical Counsellors: Find a Registered Clinical Counsellor at bc-counsellors.org/counsellors/
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Mood Disorders Association of BC counselling services: www.mdabc.net/counselling-services
Courses and programs
Adults
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BounceBack from the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division is a self-management course for people who experience low to moderate depression or anxiety. It's offered in two different formats: you can complete the course online on your own or work with a coach who can help motivate you, solve problems, and work through the materials
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Living Life to the Full from the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division is a fun and interactive course that uses principles based in cognitive-behavioural therapy to help people live well, manage stress, and build confidence. Free courses will be offered online starting in May
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Kelty's Key free self-help courses for anxiety, panic, depression, chronic pain, complicated grief, substance use, family support, and insomnia
Youth
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For youth ages 15-18, Bounce Back Youth from the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division helps people with low mood, depression, or anxiety learn new skills to take care of their mental health. You can take the course on your own online or with a telephone coach.
Crisis lines, help lines, and online chat platforms
Everyone
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Call the BC Mental Health Support Line at 310-6789 (always open)
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Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to talk with a trained volunteer (always open)
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For a list of local crisis lines, visit crisislines.bc.ca
Adults
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Chat online with a Crisis Center volunteer at www.crisiscentrechat.ca (daily between noon and 1:00am)
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Text WELLNESS to 741741 for crisis support through Wellness Together Canada
Older adults
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Call the Seniors Distress Line at 604-872-1234 (always open)
Young people
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Chat online with a volunteer at www.YouthinBC.com (daily between noon and 1:00am)
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For young people to age 20, you can talk to a counsellor through Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or chat at kidshelpphone.ca (always open)
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Text WELLNESS to 686868 for crisis support through Wellness Together Canada
Family caregivers
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Talk to a Family Caregivers of BC supporter through the Caregiver Support Line at 1-877-520-3267 (Monday – Friday from 8:30 am - 7:00 pm)
Healthcare providers
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The Mobile Response Team is available 24/7 to support the mental well-being and psychological safety of frontline healthcare workers who are experiencing distress and mental health concerns in response to COVID-19. Call 1-888-686-3022 or email MRT@phsa.ca
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Text FRONTLINE to 741741 for crisis support through Wellness Together Canada
Indigenous people
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24 Hour Crisis Line from KUU-US Crisis Line Society: adults and Elders can call 250-723-4050 and children and youth can call 250-723-2040 to talk to someone at any time. Visit www.kuu-uscrisisline.com for more information
Community services and support groups
Everyone
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Visit bc211.ca or call 2-1-1 for information and referrals to community service providers in BC, including mental health and substance use supports, housing, supports for families, supports for Indigenous people, and supports for immigrants and refugees
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For information about substance use services and referrals to local services (including virtual meetings), call the Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service at 604-660-9382 (in the Lower Mainland) or 1-800-663-1441 (in the rest of BC)
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Mood Disorders Association of BC support groups will move to online meetings. Contact your local facilitator for updates and more information
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Regional educators and branches from the BC Schizophrenia Society continue to help families and caregivers. Contact your local branch for more
Older adults
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Find local service providers through Better at Home. You can also call the Better at Home provincial office at 604-268-1312
Young people
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For children and youth up to age 18, Child and Youth Mental Health teams from the Ministry of Children and Family Development offer phone and virtual appointments. Learn more and find your local office
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For youth ages 12-24, contact your local Foundry Centre. Foundry Centres are located in Abbotsford, Campbell River, Kelowna, North and West Vancouver, Penticton, Prince George, Vancouver, and Victoria. Foundry Virtual is available across BC
Self-help and self-management
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Ask Us...about managing mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic from HeretoHelp: Tips and resources to help you take care of yourself and seek extra support when you need it
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Coping With COVID-19 from Anxiety Canada: Articles, town halls, and strategies to manage anxiety. You can also download the MindShift app to build on skills like mindfulness and stress management
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Tolerance for Uncertainty: A COVID-19 Workbook from Dr. Sachiko Nagasawa and Bay Psychology in Ontario: Build skills based on dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) to help you manage distress, uncertainty, and other difficult emotions. This workbook is free and available in English and French
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COVID-19 & Supporting Someone Living with Schizophrenia from the BC Schizophrenia Society: Information for families and loved ones, including medication management during the pandemic
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Parenting During COVID-19 from Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre: Talking to young people about COVID-19, taking care of your own mental health, and supporting a child or youth
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COVID-19 Info Centre from Kids Help Phone: Tips and strategies to help children and youth take care of their mental health, navigate changes like social distancing and school closures, and seek help.
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COVID-19 for Kids: "How can I help?" series from Health Prince Edward Island: A workbook for children, including healthy coping skills and strategies to manage worries and fears
About the author
The Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing a mental illness through public education, community-based research, advocacy, and direct services. Visit www.cmha.bc.ca.
