Virtual mental health supports
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
- Free or low cost counselling
- Workplace mental health supports
- Supports for young people
- Supports for students, educators and parents
- Supports for seniors
- Supports for victims of family or sexual violence
- Supports for Indigenous Peoples
- Courses and programs
- Other resources
Get help immediately
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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
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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
- Esquimalt Neighbourhood House
Offering free counselling to adults living in the Greater Victoria Area
- Pacific Centre Family Services Association
Offering affordable community counselling options to the Greater Victoria area, primarily the West Shore and Sooke regions
- Hiiye’yu Lelum (House of Friendship) Society
Offers low-barrier, no-cost counselling to adults in the Cowichan Valley
- Peers Victoria Resources Society
Peers offer a counselling sessions and wellness programs for current or former sex workers
- Salt Spring Island Community Services
Community Counselling Program allows flexibility to accommodate individuals that may face barriers that prevent them from accessing counselling
- Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees (VICCIR)
Offers counselling services on a sliding fee scale, and for free when needed
- South Island Centre
Providing professional, affordable mental health counselling services to children, youth, adults, and families.
Lower Mainland
- Canadian Mental Health Association, North and West Vancouver
Offering short-term, low-cost, confidential, one-to-one support to adults living on the North Shore
- Family Services of the North Shore
Offering free counselling support for up to 6 weeks
- REACH Medical Clinic
Offers free virtual counselling sessions covered by MSP
- Sunshine Coast Community Service
Community Mental Health Services is a supportive counselling service for children and their families with behavioural, social and emotional adjustment problems
- Archway Community Services
Offers various mental health supports for community members In Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, and Langley
- Deltassist Family and Community Services
Counselling Team is now offering up to six (6) free phone or online counselling sessions, for individuals, families and/or couples who live in Delta
- Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services
The Child and Youth Mental Health Outreach Program offers services and support to children and youth with mental health concerns. This support is extended to the families of these clients
- SHARE Family and Community Services Talking Helps is available subsidized, sliding scale based on household income is available specifically for Tri-Cities residents with children or youth 18 and under in the home
- DIVERSECity Community Resources Society
Offering you and your whole family free, culturally sensitive, confidential help in your first language
- Jewish Family Services
Offers counselling/therapy services on a sliding scale for the Jewish and broader community
- Moving Forward Family Services
Offers a variety of virtual counselling services, including for individuals who cannot afford traditional rates or do not have insurance coverage
- Watari Counselling and Support Services
Offers free confidential counselling, education, referrals, and other preventative programs for those in Strathcona/ Downtown Eastside area and surrounding communities around for issues related to problem substance misuse
- Prince George Native Friendship Centre
Supportive counselling and assessment is flexible, available in an outreach format, and incorporates Indigenous healing
- Carrier Sekani Family Services
Counselling program accepts anyone through the policy of “every door is the right door”, free of charge
- Dze L K'ant Friendship Centre Society (Houston)
Mental health counselling and supports in Houston for individuals, couples, and families who want a third party for support, coping, and problem solving
- Quesnel Women's Resource Centre
Offers counselling services to people who may have difficulty accessing other counselling in the community
- 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 psychiatry. This 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.
Wellbeing.gov.bc.ca
Wellbeing.gov.bc.ca is your pathway for mental health and substance use supports across B.C. Our goal is your wellbeing.
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.
- A project of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Substance Use Information, provides mental health and substance use information and resources that you can trust.
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
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Government of Canada portal offering free online resources
