Some excellent resources to add to your mental health toolkit.

Please note: None of these is a replacement for consultation with a mental health or medical professional. If you are concerned about your mental health, please consider talking with your Family Doctor or with a Registered Clinical Counsellor. 

*If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide and may be in immediate danger, please don't hesitate to call 9-1-1.*

anxiety

Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental health illness in Canada? Empower yourself by learning effective ways to cope with anxiety, watching educational videos, or downloading the MindShift app at anxietybc.com

There are also anxiety resources for teens at youth.anxietybc.com

 

depression

Though it can be difficult to believe it when you're in its depths, depression is, in fact, very treatable. There are a number of effective treatments proven to help people struggling with depression to feel better or no longer experience symptoms at all. HereToHelp.bc.ca offers a wealth of information on depression, what it is, strategies for treatment, where to seek help (your family doctor and your counsellor are excellent places to start), as well as research-driven self-care suggestions.

If you are in distress or are worried about someone in distress who may hurt themselves, call 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433), 24 hours a day to connect to a BC crisis line, without a wait or busy signal. You can also find more resources at heretohelp.bc.ca

Coping with Suicide Thoughts: A Resource for Patients is a short workbook to help you understand thoughts of suicide, cope with these thoughts, stay safe, and reduce suicidal thoughts over time. Download the workbook at www.sfu.ca/carmha/publications/coping-with-suicidal-thoughts.html. - See more at: http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/factsheet/suicide#sthash.POzT9Kzn.dpuf

Also, you can visit www.suicideinfo.ca for information, research and links to national distress websites.

*If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide and may be in immediate danger, don't hesitate to call 9-1-1

 

CRISIS LINES 

24/7 phone services staffed by highly-trained volunteers who are there to listen and to help you move forward with support and resources. 

Crisis lines aren't just for people in crisis. They are there to help 24/7 with information on local services or if you just need someone to talk to. Areas Served: Vancouver, North Vancouver, Bowen Island, West Vancouver, Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Howe Sound/the Sea-to-Sky Corridor

  • 604-872-3311 or 604-872-0113 (TTY)
  • Toll-free 1-866-661-3311 or 1-866-872-0113 (TTY)
  • Seniors Distress Line: 604-872-1234

  • BC-wide Mental Health Support: 310-6789

  • S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Chinese Language Help Lines: 604-270-8222 (Mandarin) or 604-270-8233 (Cantonese)

 

online chat (in BC & the Yukon)

YouthInBC and CrisisCentreChat are programs of the Crisis Centre. They connect youth and adults with support, information, and resources between noon and 1am Pacific Time.

 www.youthinbc.com (for youth) between noon and 1am Pacific Time

www.crisiscentrechat.ca (for adults) between noon and 1am Pacific Time