General mental health
Please navigate with the table of contents:
BC211
Comprehensive directory of local resources. Topics include: emergency and crisis, addiction, counselling, health care, legal and advocacy, mental health, victim services, education, employment/training, financial assistance, food and basic goods, homelessness, housing, transportation, children and families, disabilities, immigrants and refugees, first nations, LGBTSQ+, older adults, youth
Check out THESE DOCUMENTS for Vancouver:
Central Intakes
Central Intake Line
Vancouver Central Intake provides public access to community health services including home care nursing, ambulatory clinics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, case-management, information, and re- housing options such as assisted living.
- http://www.vch.ca/locations-services/result?res_id=1182
- Tel: 604-263-7377 (M-F, 8:30 am- 6 pm)
HealthLinkBC
Comprehensive website with links to local community resources as well as educational resources for patients and families.
Vancouver Coastal Health Access and Assessment Center (AAC)
For any NON-LIFE THREATENING Mental Health and/or Substance Use issue. Staff includes nurses, social workers, and psychiatrists. They provide pathways for people and families to access services in Vancouver and offer an alternative to the Emergency department.
- http://www.vch.ca/locations-services/result?res_id=1186
- Location: Joseph & Rosalie Segal & Family Health Centre (803 West 12th Avenue, Level 1 East Entrance)
- Phone: 604-675-3700 - available 24/7, 365 days a year
- Walk-in: 7:30 am – 11 pm
Fraser (Surrey) Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care Response Centre (UCRC)
An urgent care response centre for adults (19 years and older) with urgent mental health and substance use concerns. A central point of access for adults (19 years and older) in Surrey who are experiencing urgent mental health and substance use concerns and who voluntarily seek and require urgent care, but don’t require hospitalization. Services include: crisis stabilization, assessment and psychiatric consultation, treatment initiation, connection to community-based services
- https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Service-At-Location/9/5/surrey-mental-health-and-substance-use-urgent-care-response-centre#.XWQd4SNKiUk
- Phone: 604-953-6200
- Walk-in: 8:30 am - 8:30 pm
Fraser Assessment and Short-term Treatment (ASTAT)
For mental health and substance use issues. Provides diagnostic assessment, short-term treatment and other support services to individuals 19 and older. Services include short-term or brief individual therapy/counselling, group therapy, psychiatric consultation, urgent community response, crisis intervention.
- Locations in: Burnaby, Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge, New West, Port Coquitlam, Surrey, White Rock
- https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Services/mental-health-and-substance-use/mental-health---community-services/adult-short-term-assessment-and-treatment-program
Service Directories
Health Authority Databases
See below for comprehensive lists of mental health resources available through the health authorities:
- Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH): http://www.vch.ca/your-care/mental-health-substance-use
- Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA): http://www.bcmhsus.ca/our-services
- Province Health Care (PHC): http://mh.providencehealthcare.org/programs
- Fraser Health Authority (FHA): https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Services/mental-health-and-substance-use
- Interior Health: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourCare/MentalHealthSubstanceUse/MentalHealth/Pages/default.aspx
- Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/our-services/mental-health-substance-use-services/access-referrals-mental-health-substance-use-services
Counselling
***Willow Tree Low Cost Options Document
This counselling organization compiles a list of local options for low cost counselling.
- The document is available at this site: https://willowtreecounselling.ca/fees/
- Direct link: https://willowtreecounselling.ca/wp-content/themes/willowtree/reduced-cost-counselling.pdf
- - - - -
A Child’s Song
Surrey, Vancouver, Abbotsford, Winnipeg – consultation, education, and therapy to families joined together through adoption. Consultation and individual counselling for adults, adolescents, and children who are experiencing symptoms of trauma, anxiety or adjustment difficulties (adoptive and non-adoptive families).
The Adler Centre
Low rate counselling for individuals in Greater Vancouver. Professionally supervised individual, couple, and family counselling
- http://adlercentre.ca
- 604-742-1818
Alpine Anxiety & Stress Relief Clinic
Counselling for anxiety and/or depression, individual, couple and family counselling. They also offer fee based workshops and group counselling throughout the year.
- http://anxietyandstressrelief.com
- 604-732-3930
Alongside You
Ladner - individual, couple, family counselling; play therapy
British Columbia Psychological Association
This site offers a referral service by specialty and a description of services provided by psychologists.
Catholic Family Services Vancouver and Surrey
Individual, couple, and family counselling available on a sliding scale. Open to all families and communities.
- 604-683-0281
Cedar Springs Counselling
Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Richmond, Langley – couples, marriage counselling, family, children and youth
Dragonstone Counselling
Counselling to individuals, couples and families that are experiencing a wide range of issues. Sliding scale.
- http://www.dragonstonecounselling.ca
- 604-738-7557
Living Life to the Fullest (LLTTF)
Information on courses employing CBT principles to improve numerous mental health
Living Systems Counselling
Individual, couple and family counselling, play therapy and pastoral counselling.
- http://livingsystems.ca
- 604-926-5496
Emotions Anonymous
Support group for people needing to achieve and maintain emotional, psychological, and spiritual health. Based on 12 Step program.
- www.emotionsanonymous.org
- 604- 696-1020
***Family Services of Greater Vancouver
Children, adults, seniors, couples, and families. Specialized services include trauma counselling.
- http://www.fsgv.ca/
- 604-731-4951
Family Services North Shore
Individual, couple, and family counselling, including programs for victims of violence, trauma, and children. Sliding scale based on income.
- http://www.familyservices.bc.ca; 604-988-5281
Heather Whiteford
White Rock – adult, couples, family therapy; trauma
- 604-618-0749
Jewish Family Services Vancouver
Services for youth, adults, seniors, couples, and families through the West Coast Wellness Group. Sliding scale based on income.
- www.jfsa.ca/
- 604-637-3309
Kim Fleming
Vancouver – older teens, couples, individuals; EMDR; trauma
- 604-908-6404
Maia Counselling
- Norht Shore - Specialized services in Individual, Adolescent and Family Services.
- https://www.maiacounselling.com/
Michelle Srdanovic
New Westminster - Adult, child, relationship therapist; play therapy; trauma
***Mood Disorders Association of BC (MDA BC)
A nonprofit organization that provides treatment, support, education, and hope of recovery for people living with a mood disorder. They have many services, including:
- Psychotherapy (individual, CBT, mindfulness based therapy, individual psychodynamic psychotherapy)
- Peer support groups
- Group exercise coaching (JumpStep)
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
Nava Rozen
Vancouver - play therapist, family work, couples, trauma
- Contact: 604-657-7076, rozen.nava@gmail.com
Oak Counselling Services Society
Counselling to individuals, couples and families that are experiencing a wide range of issues.
- http://oakcounselling.org/
- 604-266-5611
Pacific Coast Family Therapy
Vancouver - individuals, couples, families; general, disabilities; trauma; addictions
- #205-2902 West Broadway (Kits)
- Tel: 604-568-3513
Stewart and Associates
Individual, couple, and family counselling. Subsidized counselling program offers counselling sessions with a supervised counselling intern. Sliding scale.
- www.stuart-assoc.com
- 604-687-7171
UBC Psychology Clinic
Comprehensive psychological services for children, adolescents, adults, and families
- http://clinic.psych.ubc.ca
- 604-822-3005
***Vancouver Couple and Family Institute
Individual, couples, family therapy. Individual, couple, and family counselling. Area of specialty is ‘emotion focused therapy’ for couples and families. Most counselling sessions are by registered psychologists
- https://vcfi.ca/
- 604-677-3286
***Vancouver CBT Centre
Treating anxiety disorders, depression and eating disorders.
- http://www.vancouvercbt.ca
- 604-738-7337
Neurodevelopmental Disorders (e.g. Autism )
Assessment – Provincial Assessment Centre (PAC)
Provides in-patient multi-disciplinary mental health assessment and recommendations to individuals ages 14 and up with a developmental disability and a concurrent mental illness or behaviour issues.
Developmental Disability Mental Health Services (DDMHS)
For individuals with developmental disabilities and psychiatric issues, please view the resources below.
- Children and youth:
- Ministry of Children and Family Development: Children and Youth with Special Needs (MCFD/CYSN)
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/child-behaviour-development/special-needs
- Funds a range of programs and services for children and youth with special needs and their families, including information on housing, day programs and support services.
- Child and Youth Mental Health Teams
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health
- YMH provides a wide range of community-based specialized mental health services to mentally ill children and their families. Self-refer via drop-in to access psychiatric services.
- Ministry of Children and Family Development: Children and Youth with Special Needs (MCFD/CYSN)
- Adults:
- Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/Locations-Services/result?res_id=1289
- Fraser Health: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/developmental-disabilities-mental-health-services
- Interior health: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/FindUs/_layouts/FindUs/info.aspx?type=Service&loc=&svc=Developmental%20Disability%20Mental%20Health%20Services&ploc=
- Island health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/our-services/mental-health-substance-use-services/mental-health-substance-use-teams-your-community/developmental-disability-mental-health-team
Funding options (Government of BC)
Information on government funding and eligible services
- For: Autism, complex health needs, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, hearing or vision loss, intellectual disabilities
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/child-behaviour-development/special-needs
Autism BC
Non-profit, provides education and training, information and resources, support and connection.
Pacific Autism Family Network
The Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) is a centre of excellence and network of supports for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families across the province. The PAFN’s core purpose is to be a Knowledge Centre: Bringing together state of the art resources for research, information, learning, assessment, treatment and support; and building capacity to address the lifespan needs of individuals with ASD and related disorders.
Developmental Disabilities Association
Community living agency that provides programs and services to children and adults with developmental disabilities in Vancouver and Richmond. These include: social programs, residential programs, day programs, respite services, employment programs.
Community Living British Columbia (CLBC)
Crown agency provides funding for services that help adults with developmental disabilities. Offers list of programs, information on applying for grants and news.
Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities (STADD)
Transition planning for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities..
Vancouver Community Rehabilitation and Resource Team
The Rehab and Resource Team is a team of health care professionals. We provide short-term six-month rehabilitation programs for individuals with complex disabilities who live in Vancouver.
Child and Youth Neuropsychiatry Clinic (Surrey)
Provides specialized assessments, consultation, and short-term treatment for neuropsychiatry and neuro-developmental child and youth disorders. Can help stabilize ages 5-18 on medications and make referrals to appropriate community agencies and services as needed. E.g.
- For: autism, seizures, post-meningitis conditions, ADHD, head injuries, tourette's disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, severe OCD, genetic disorders, etc
- https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Services/child-and-youth-services/child-and-youth-neuropsychiatry-clinic
Autism Community Training (ACT)
ACT is an information and referral service that supports individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families across B.C.
First Nations Health
Native Court Worker and Counselling Association of British Columbia
Free. Counselling and referral services to clients with substance abuse issues.
- http://nccabc.ca
- 604-985-5355
Vancouver Native Health Society (VNHS)
Free. Delivers comprehensive medical, counselling and social services to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside Aboriginal community who struggle with substance abuse, mental health, chronic disease, homelessness and poverty.
- http://www.vnhs.net
- 604-254-9949
Multicultural Counselling
Vancouver & Lower Mainland Multicultural Family Support Services Society
Services for immigrant and visible minority families experiencing family violence. Free.
- http://www.vlmfss.ca
- 604-436-1025
Mosaic
Addresses issues that affect immigrants and refugees in the course of their settlement and integration into Canada. Free.
- http://www.mosaicbc.com
- 604-254-9626
SUCCESS
Counselling and groups for families and individuals. Offered in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and English. SUCCESS programs focus on needs of new immigrants of Chinese and other ethnic origins. They also offer play and art therapy. Free.
- http://www.successbc.ca
- 604-684-1628
Gender and Trans Care
Trans Care BC
Pflag Canada
PFLAG Canada is a national charitable organization, founded by parents who wished to help themselves and their family members understand and accept their non-heterosexual children.
Rainbow Health Ontario
Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO) is a province-wide program of Sherbourne Health that works to promote the health of Ontario’s LGBT2SQ communities and improve their access to services. RHO creates resources, provides information and consultation services, delivers education and training, and supports research to develop evidence-based practice and informed public policy.
QMUNITY
QMUNITY is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC that works to improve queer, trans, and Two-Spirit lives. We provide a safer space for LGBTQ/2S people and their allies to fully self-express while feeling welcome and included. Our building serves as a catalyst for community initiatives and collective strength.
Genetic Counselling
Adapt Clinic
The Adapt Clinic provides free genetic counselling to people across British Columbia who have a diagnosis of a psychiatric or mental health disorder.
Reproductive Care
Reproductivementalhealth.ca
The BC Reproductive Mental Health Program is a team of specialized and multidisciplinary professionals. Together, the team has many years of clinical and research experience working with women and their families who are dealing with mental health challenges or disorders and emotional difficulties related to the reproductive life cycle. In particular, they assess and treat women who are pregnant, postpartum, dealing with pregnancy loss, infertility and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Eating Disorders
Wayfinding tool
Tool to help find resources
Trauma and PTSD
Wounded Warriors
WWC combines gateway programming, clinical support, research, and mental health promotion to help support uniformed service personnel (veterans, first responders, etc) and their families affected by Operational Stress Injuries.
Violence and Assault Care
WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre (Women Against Violence Against Women)
Offers trauma-informed feminist support to survivors of sexualized violence. Services open to cis and trans women and people of all marginalized genders, including Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary people. 24h crisis line, hospital accompaniment, police and court appointments, counselling
SAS (Sexual Assault Service)
Provides care to anyone 13 years or older who has been sexually assaulted within the past 7 days, and information on getting support for assaults occurring outside that period.
VictimLink BC – for victims of crime, assault
Toll-free, BC-wide telephone help line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. VictimLink BC provides information and referral services to all victims of crime, and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence.
- 1-800-563-0808
YWCA
Support with economic empowerment, gender based violence, childcare, poverty, and more.
Battered Women’s Support Services
Provides support and advocacy for women who have experienced abuse, as well as community education and training about violence against women.
WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre (Women Against Violence Against Women)
Offers trauma-informed feminist support to survivors of sexualized violence. Services open to cis and trans women and people of all marginalized genders, including Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary people. 24h crisis line, hospital accompaniment, police and court appointments, counselling.
Ending Violence BC (EVBC)
Support and resources for sexual assault survivors in BC
Grief
Vancouver Hospice
Information on counselling, support groups, walking groups, and other services.
https://www.vancouverhospice.org/services/grief-support/
Lower Mainland Grief Recovery Society (LMGRS)
Support groups and educational resources
St Paul’s Grief Support & Education
604-682-2344 Ext 62355
• Grief support groups and resources.
• Free
S.A.F.E.R. Vancouver
604-875-4794
• Support programs for those who have attempted suicide, or those bereaved by a suicide death
• Free
BC Bereavement Helpline
http://www.bcbereavementhelpline.com/
604-738-9950 / 877-779-2223
• Connects people to grief supports in their community
Compassionate Friends
http://tcfcanada.net/
604-878-9904
• Support group for parents who have lost a child
• Free
Living Through Loss Counselling
http://www.ltlc.bc.ca
604-873-5013
• Grief counselling and groups for adults.
• $95 for individual sessions
Lower Mainland Grief Recovery Society
http://lmgr.ca/
604-696-1060
• Group programs
• $200 per program