Mood and Anxiety

Find mood & anxiety services & information

Mood and anxiety refers to emotional issues relating to temporary or ongoing highs (being manic) or lows (feelings of despair). These highs or lows may cause withdrawal from regular social or work activities. Examples include anxiety, panic attack, depression, bipolar, bullying, anger, phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or postpartum depression.

Getting Help

It is important to know that no matter how you are feeling, you are not alone. Whether you are looking for information and support for yourself or for a loved one, help is available. Keep reading for an overview of how to find information and get the support you need.

Immediate Support

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call one of the numbers below any time of the day or night.

Call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know is:

  • trying to end your or their own life,
  • feeling or experiencing something that you know is not real, or
  • experiencing a drug, medication or alcohol overdose or taking a dangerous combination of these.

Call 1-800-SUICIDE at 1-800-784-2433 if you or someone you know:

  • is thinking about ending their own life, or
  • need someone to talk to about suicidal thoughts or ideas.

Emotional Support

If you or someone you know would like emotional support to deal with a feeling, issue or concern call one of the numbers below any time of the day or night.

Call 310-Mental Health at 310-6789 (no area code needed) if you:

  • need emotional support to deal with a concern or feeling, or
  • are looking for information on mental health resources or services.

Call Kid’s Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 if you are under 20 years of age to speak to a professional counsellor about:

  • dealing with problems,
  • making a hard decision, or
  • you are concerned with feelings or mood.

Services and Resources

Online Directory Search for services available across the Province and in your community or check out the following phone, in-person, online, and chat or text services and resources to get started.

Phone Services

If you or someone you know needs help, call one of the following numbers:

Emergency Help

For emergency help contact information, call 9-1-1 or see Immediate Support.

Non-Emergency Help

  • HealthLink BC: Call 8-1-1 (toll-free) if you need non-emergency health information or advice. Available 24 hours a day.
  • Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre: Call toll-free from anywhere in B.C.: 1-800-665-1822; Lower Mainland: 604-875-2084 for peer support, assistance in navigating the mental health system and accessing resources, and information and education about mental health and substance use challenges. Available Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5pm Pacific Time.
  • Pacific Post Partum Support Society: Call 604-255-7999 in the Lower Mainland, or 1-855-255-7999 toll-free from anywhere in B.C. for postpartum information and support for mothers and families. You can also get support by text at 604-256-8088. Available Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm Pacific Time.

In-Person Services

You can search for in-person services and resources available across B.C. using the online directory, or visit your health authority website to find services and resources in your area.

Care Providers

There are a number of health care providers who may be involved in your care if you are concerned with mood or anxiety:

  • Your Family Doctor: They can rule out any other causes for your symptoms, prescribe medications, do limited counselling and refer you to a psychiatrist or other special services. 
  • Psychiatrists: Doctors specially trained in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses.
  • Counsellors: Including psychologists, clinical counselors, and social workers. 
  • School or Campus Counselling Services for Students.
  • Workplace Counselling Services: Often offered through benefit programs such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or through extended health coverage. EAP programs are often for both the employee and their family.
  • Mental Health Teams: Most communities in B.C. have mental health teams for adults and children. You can often self-refer, but sometimes a referral from a health care provider may be required.

If you are unsure which of these care providers you should work with, start with your family doctor who can help you find your way to the support you need.

App Resources

  • BoosterBuddy Mobile App: A free, mobile app for young people to check in on their feelings each day, learning coping skills and keep track of appointments, medications, and tasks. Created in part by a youth design team in the Vancouver Island Health Authority.
  • Dealing with Depression (DWD): A resource for teens who have been coping with depressed mood. It teaches a set of skills you can apply to your own life to overcome depression.
  • Mindshift: A free, mobile app designed to help teens and young adults learn how to relax, develop helpful ways of thinking, and identify active steps that will help teens take charge. Created by AnxietyBC.
  • Stresslr: A free web app that provides a fun and engaging way for children ages 9 to 11 to understand what causes them stress, how they react to it, and to develop healthy strategies to cope with stress in their everyday lives.

Online Resources

  • AnxietyBC: Provides self-help, peer reviewed and trusted resources on anxiety. Online resources include educational videos on YouTube, information exchange on Facebook, downloadable articles and resources, and the Mindshift App. 
  • BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services: Provides a range of specialized mental health and substance use services for adults across the province.
  • Bounce Back®: Helps adults who are experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate depression, low mood, or stress, with or without anxiety. Provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association.
  • Heads Up Guys: Provides information, tips, and advice to support men in their fight against depression.
  • HeretoHelp: Provides information related to mental health and substance use. The website includes personal stories, self-help resources, and information about getting help now.
  • Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre: Provides mental health and substance use information, resources, and peer support to children, youth and their families from across B.C.
  • mindcheck.ca – mood and anxiety: Helps young people identify and understand the mental distress they may be experiencing and to link them to the skills and strategies they need to manage these problems.
  • MindHealthBC: Provides easy access to information and resources related to mental health and substance use conditions.
  • Pacific Post Partum Support Society: Provides information and support to mothers and families experiencing postpartum/perinatal distress, depression, and anxiety.
  • Youth - AnxietyBC: A program from AnxietyBC that provides youth focused resources and information about coping with Anxiety.

Email Services

  • BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information: For help and support via email at bcpartners@heretohelp.bc.ca. Let them know where you’re writing from so they can provide community specific information. A volunteer will email you back within 3 business days.
  • Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre: Get information and support about mental health and substance use challenges via email at keltycentre@cw.bc.ca.
  • Youthspace.ca E-Counselling: Email a youth counsellor for support with a variety of issues including: social life, family conflict, school and work challenges, addictions, violence and abuse, mental health, and more. You can expect a response within 5 business days.

Chat Services

  • Crisis Centre Online Chat: Get support, information and resources for adults in B.C. and Yukon. Online chat is available from noon to 1am Pacific Time.
  • Kids Help Phone – Live Chat: Chat counselling lets you connect one-on-one, real time, with a Kids Help Phone counsellor, on the web or from a smartphone. Chats are for youth up to age 20. Available Wednesday to Sunday from 3pm to 11pm Pacific Time.
  • YouthinBC Online Chat: Get support, information and resources for youth in B.C. and Yukon. Online chat is available from noon to 1am Pacific Time.
  • Youthspace.ca Online Chat: A community of volunteers who can provide emotional support, crisis response, and more. Available 6pm to midnight Pacific Time. Also available by text at 778-783-0177.