Your Mental Health: A Comprehensive Resource Guide + Reduced-Cost Counselling Options
Here are some helpful links to keep you in the loop and aware of any updates related to our basic needs and health:
Reputable Covid-19 Sources
Essential Needs
Health
- Canada’s responses to COVID-19 – including travel advisories, drug and medical device supply monitoring
- BC COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool
- BC Psychiatric Medications Plan (Plan G) – How to get coverage for Psychiatric Medication from the government during a crisis.
Financial
- Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan – financial support for Canadians and businesses
- The Vancouver Rent Bank (VRB) – City of Vancouver
- Financial Assistance Guide and Summary – information gathered by Women Who Freelance, but applicable to all Canadians
- The Trauma of Money: Managing Financial Scarcity
Useful Contacts
- 8-1-1 – Health-Link BC
- CALL 1-888-COVID19 / 1-888-268-4319 or TEXT 604-630-0300 – For non-medical info regarding COVID-19 (7:30am-8pm, with over 110 languages available)
- 1-833-784-4397 – Toll Free number across Canada for COVID-19 updates
Mental Health Resources
Self-Guided Coping Strategies
- FACTBC’s (Federation of Associations of Counselling Therapists in BC) press release on protecting mental health during times of uncertainty
- The Mental Health Commission of Canada released two self-care and resilience guides that people can download and use for the Working Mind and the Inquiring Mind
- Dr. Sachiko Nagasawa created a workbook for tolerating uncertainty, this has been shared amongst some other resources from U of T
- F.A.C.E C.O.V.I.D coping strategy by Dr. Russ Harris – (PDF)
- Anxiety Canada introduces some ways you can cope with Returning to a New Normal: 12 Tips for Handling Uncertainty as the pandemic restrictions lift
Support Groups and Webinars
- Anxiety Canada has a guide on coping with anxiety for youth, adults, and children.
- Anxiety Canada is hosting MindShift CBT Groups for small groups of young adults and adults with mild to moderate anxiety
- Postpartum Online Support Meetings – Postpartum Support International offering weekly support meetings online
- BCFED had a Community Conversation about Sexual and Domestic Violence during COVID-19 this past April. The conversation is recorded and published on their page
Crisis Lines
- Crisis Centre BC– if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis
Other Organizations with Resources
Reduced-Cost Counselling Options
General Counselling
- JFS Vancouver – 604-558-5717. Sliding scale professional counselling. Serving youth, adults, seniors, couples, and families. Regular program $50- $105; low-cost program: $10-$20.
- UBC Psychology Clinic – 604-822-3005. Counselling services provided by doctoral student interns, supervised by registered psychologists. $10-$40 per hour.
- Simon Fraser University Counselling Clinics – Counselling for adults, children and youth provided by supervised graduate students in counselling psychology. Services at the Surrey clinic are free and at the Burnaby clinic are offered on a sliding scale.
- Canadian Mental Health Association: North and West Vancouver Branch – Up to 12 sessions of counselling for North Shore residents without open ICBC, WCB or other insurance carrier claims. Counselling provided by intern ($25) or registered clinical counsellor ($50).
- Moving Forward Family Services – 778-321-3054. Counselling for individuals and families. Counselling primarily offered in Surrey, with limited availability in Vancouver, Port Moody and Abbotsford. Graduate-level counsellors ($50-$65) and counselling interns ($20). Limited free counselling available in exceptional circumstances.
- Vancouver Women’s Health Collective – Wellness Counselling – 604-736-5262. Counselling and art therapy available on select days.
Trauma
- VAST – 604-255-1881 or Toll Free: 1-866-393-3133. Trauma-focused psychological counselling for refugees in one-on-one and group settings.
- Crime Victims Assistance Program – 1-800-563-0808 (available 24/7). Funded counselling for victims of crime, their immediate family members and witnesses. Contact for eligibility.
- Battered Women’s Support Services – 604-687-1867. Trained and supervised workers at BWSS provides free support services for any woman who has been abused in an intimate relationship as well as women survivors of childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual assault. BWSS also provides support to women survivors of Indian Residential Schools and/or foster care.
- Atira Community Services Society – Stopping The Violence Counselling 604-331-1407 ext. 106 or 107. Provides individual and group counselling to women and transwomen who have experienced current or past relationship abuse, sexual assault, or physical, emotional or sexual abuse at any age.
