Virtual mental health supports

Last updated on November 29, 2023

Virtual services are available for British Columbians who are experiencing anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges.

Last updated: January 23, 2023

On this page:


Get help immediately

  • 310Mental Health Support
    Call 310-6789 for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health

  • 1-800-SUICIDE
    ​Call 1-800-784-2433 if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide

  • KUU-US Crisis Response Service
    ​Call 1-800-588-8717 for culturally-aware crisis support for Indigenous peoples in B.C.

  • Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service 
    Call 1-800-663-1441 to find resources and support


Free or low cost counselling

Access a variety of mental health services, including low or no-cost community counselling programs. There may be waitlists to access counselling services, if you need to speak to someone now, call a crisis line for short-term support.

Province or nation-wide support

 

Wellness Together Canada

Access free counselling and support as well as self-guided courses, apps and other resources.

 

BC COVID-19 Mental Health Network

Access free, phone-based, short-term support with a counsellor.

Email bccovidtherapists@gmail.com to receive an appointment time.

 

Regional support

 

Vancouver Island

 

 

Lower Mainland

 

 

Northern B.C.

 

 

Interior B.C. and Fraser Valley

 

  • Canadian Mental Health Association - Kelowna 
    Virtual counselling services are available free of charge to individuals, couples, families, and caregivers of youth who are struggling. Those who are having difficulty coping with the challenges related to the COVID pandemic are also welcome to access these supports
     
  • Yellowhead Community Services - Thompson Valley 
    Yellowhead Community Services provides free counselling for adults, children and youth experiencing violence, women who have experienced abuse and/or violence, and those struggling with substance use
     
  • Circle of Indigenous Nations Society  Offering programs rooted in Indigenous practices that strengthen cultural connection and support holistic healing and learning
     
  • Cythera Transition House Society 
    Offers counselling and other supports for women and children experiencing or witnessing abuse and violence

 


Workplace mental health support

Care to Speak: peer support for B.C. healthcare workers

If you are experiencing tough times or challenges with your mental health, access online chat support  or call 1-866-802-7337 (PEER) for peer support  Monday to Friday, 5pm to 9pm, or Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Peer volunteers have healthcare experience within the continuing care sector. They are trained to provide virtual support and can refer you to additional resources.

Care for Caregivers: mental health support for healthcare providers

Trusted information, free workshops to support employees and quick daily coping tips are available through the Care for Caregivers hub for healthcare workers. This site provides a range of easy to use resources to support mental health and well-being.

Mobile Response Team (MRT)

Mental health support for healthcare workers in long-term care facilities and those working on the frontlines of the Overdose Public Health Emergency. Call 1-888-686-3022 or email the Mobile Response Team to access this service.

Workplace Mental Health Hub

Free workshops, webinars and information to help employers and employees in industries hard-hit by the pandemic manage stress and build resiliency. The Workplace mental health hub  provides a range of tools for workers in the tourism, hospitality and community social services and other sectors to improve their overall mental health as well as navigation support to connect to other mental health services, including counselling and peer support.


Supports for young people

Foundry virtual

Access province-wide virtual services with counselling, peer support, family support, groups and workshops for young people 12 to 24 and their caregivers. All services are free and confidential, and may be accessed through the Foundry BC app, chat, phone (1 833 308-6379) or video calls.

Kids Help Phone

Get 24/7, immediate counselling, support, information and referrals. Youth can call 1 800 668-6868 or text TALK to 686868.  Texting support for adults available by texting TALK to 741741.

Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

Free mental health and substance use information, resources, and peer support for BC parents, caregivers, and families of children and youth. Call 1-800-665-1822

Y Mind: YMCA mental wellness programs

Free online programs for young people aged 13 to 30. The YMCA of British Columbia’s Y Mind program helps young people cope with stress, worry and anxiety.

Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) Community Based Teams

Intake services and mental health counselling for children and youth and their families across B.C. from the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Virtual care is available by phone and online. Call your closest Child and Youth Mental Health clinic.

FamilySmart: parent peer support and mental health navigation

Programs to help B.C. families and caregivers who are parenting children and youth facing mental health challenges. FamilySmart provides peer support, information and navigation of mental health services.  

Learning Through Loss: short-term grief support for youth in need

Grief, loss and bereavement education and support programs for youth in the CRD. Virtual supports may be available for youth outside of CRD.   


Supports for students, educators and parents

Here2Talk

Confidential, free counselling and referral services by app, phone or online chat for all registered post-secondary students. Here2Talk is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Speak to a counsellor on the phone at 1-877-857-3397 or use 1-604-642-5212 if you are a student calling from outside of Canada (international calling charges may apply).

WE Well-being

Free online resource for students, parents and educators to support social and emotional well-being in this new world of remote learning.

LGBTQ2S+

Gender and sexuality alliance meetings that take place online and over the phone. Find resources on SOGI 123, by educators for educators, to support students looking for a safe place to share.

EASE (Everyday Anxiety Strategies for Educators) at home

EASE at home offers helpful tips for parents, like how to teach children calming breathing techniques or use structured games like scavenger hunts to build routine in a way that’s fun.


Supports for seniors

bc211: Safe Seniors, Strong Communities program

Register for a province-wide information and referral service that matches volunteers to seniors whose support network has been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Volunteers help seniors in their community with basic needs, including grocery shopping and pharmacy drop-offs and check-ins.


Supports for victims of family or sexual violence

VictimLink BC

Immediate 24 hours, 7 days a week, crisis support or victims of family or sexual violence by calling 1-800-563-0808 or  email VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca to get help. This service also provides information and referrals for all victims of crime.


Supports for Indigenous Peoples

Mental health and cultural supports

Phone and online counselling, support programs, and treatment and healing centres are available virtually for Indigenous people across B.C.

Virtual Doctor of the Day for First Nations

Virtual appointments and access to primary and mental health care closer to home. This program is for First Nations people and their family members who have limited or no access to doctors.

Substance use and psychiatry service

Provides Indigenous people in B.C. with access to specialists in addictions medicine and psychiatryThis service is also available to the family members of Indigenous people, even if they are non-status.


Courses and programs

BounceBack™

Provides free access to online, video and phone-based coaching and skills-building. The BounceBack™ program is for seniors, adults and youth who are experiencing low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress, or worry.

Gambling outreach support and information 

Concerned about gambling?  Free, confidential gambling support and information is available via phone, text or video conferencing. This program is available to everyone impacted by gambling harms. To talk to someone, submit an online request.

Call the Gambling Support Line at 1-888-795-6111 for confidential and available in multiple languages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

HeadsUpGuys

An online resource that supports men in their fight against depression by providing tips, tools, information about professional services, and stories of success.

Living Life to the Full: helping you to help yourself

Free access to Living Life to the Full courses for coping with stress, problem solving and boosting mood. These 8-week courses are led by trained facilitators, provide peer support and teach practical skills.

Lumara

Education, support and counselling services for children, youth, adults and families who are grieving the death of a loved one or coping with a life-threatening illness. Services offered by Lumara include: grief counselling, grief support groups, grief education, family grief camps, music therapy, art therapy, Indigenous Wellness, and more.

MindShift™ CBT

Help manage anxiety using scientifically proven strategies based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The MindShift™ CBT app helps you learn to be mindful, develop effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety.

HelpStartsHere.gov.bc.ca

Mental health and substance use support looks different for everyone. Find what helps you at HelpStartsHere.gov.bc.ca.


Other resources

Canadian Mental Health Association British Columbia

  • The Canadian Mental Health Association provides mental health promotion and mental illness recovery-focused programs and services for people of all ages and their families.

Here to Help

MindFit Toolkit: Mental Wellness for Men

  • Mental health tools and resources for men and their families.

Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support

  • Government of Canada portal offering free online resources