Mental health and wellness
Crisis support services
Get Help, Crisis Centre BC
Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433
24 HOUR CRISIS LINES:
- Greater Vancouver: 604-872-3311
- Howe Sound & Sunshine Coast: 1-866-661-3311
- TTY: 1-866-872-0113
- Seniors' Distress Line: 604-872-1234
- Mental Health Support: 310-6789
- 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433
- Online Service for Adults: www.CrisisCentreChat.ca
- Online Service for Youth: www.YouthinBC.com
Crisis Lines elsewhere in BC: https://www.crisislines.bc.ca/mapcrisis-lines
Language Service: Both of the 310-6789 and 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) phone lines are available in over 140 languages using a language service. Let us know which language you require, and we will try and provide an interpreter.
Suicide Crisis Helpline
Get Help | 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline (988.ca)
You deserve to be heard. We’re here to listen.
A safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
If your safety is at risk, call 9-1-1 right away.
Jobs | 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline (988.ca)
Job opportunities at 9-8-8 Partners - 9-8-8 responders are based across Canada!
9-8-8 calls and texts are answered by responders at our Partner crisis lines and helplines around the country. A number of these Partners are currently growing their teams, hiring either for volunteer or paid roles – or both! Here are the 9-8-8 Partners who are actively hiring right now.
Crisis Centre Chat
WE'RE HERE TO HELP. CHAT WITH ONE OF OUR CRISIS RESPONDERS NOW.
CrisisCentreChat.ca is a program of the Crisis Centre. It connects adults with support, information and resources. Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of B.C.
Online chat is available from Noon to 1 AM in BC and Yukon Only.
Volunteering at the Crisis Centre
Greater Vancouver has a rich and diverse community of committed and talented individuals who are passionate about helping others. The Crisis Centre trains and supports these regular yet extraordinary individuals who share their skills as volunteers in administration portfolios, on the phone lines and in chat rooms, in classroom and community events, and in training rooms at the Centre.
Canadian Mental Health Association - Find Help Now
You may feel like this isn’t the time to reach out for help or use emergency resources, but it’s important to seek help no matter what else is going on. Emergency rooms, emergency responders, and other crisis workers are there for you no matter why you need help.
The following are emergencies. In these situations, please seek help right away.
- Thinking about ending your life or trying to end your life
- Experiencing sensations that aren’t real and/or beliefs that can’t possibly be true
- Making choices that put you in serious danger
- Becoming unable to care for yourself
- Experiencing medication problems like serious side effects
- Experiencing an alcohol or any other drug overdose
- Taking a dangerous combination of substances (like benzodiazepines and alcohol)
You can:
- Call 911 for help right away.
- Go to your local emergency room.
- Residents of Vancouver can also go to the Access and Assessment Centre at Vancouver General Hospital from 7:30am to 11:00pm.
- Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) for help any time of day or night, from anywhere across BC. It’s a free call.
Are you concerned about someone else? If you think that someone else is experiencing an emergency, call 911. If the other person is willing, you can also take them to an emergency room. If someone talks about ending their life and you don’t know how serious the situation is, call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) for advice. It’s better to ask for help early—don’t wait and see if it will get worse.
The Foundry, British Columbia
Foundry - Where Wellness Takes Shape - (foundrybc.ca)
Foundry offers young people ages 12-24 health and wellness resources, services and supports – online and through integrated service centres in communities across BC.
- Info and tools
- Get support
- Supporting others
https://foundrybc.ca/get-support/phone-online-support
Phone & Online Chat - Whether it's by phone, online chat or text, connect with a counsellor or trained volunteer to ask questions, help you understand what's going on for you and find resources online or in your community.
Crisis Line Associations of BC (CLABC)
https://www.crisislines.bc.ca/services
1 - 800 - SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
310Mental Health Support 310-6789 (no need to dial area code)
310Mental Health Support is the toll-free provincial access to emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.
In operation since 2009, this network is also available 24/7/365 throughout BC.
Indigenous crisis support services
KUU-US Crisis Line Society, First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) - Health through wellness
Mental Health and Wellness Support (fnha.ca)
KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides 24 hour phone support to Aboriginals throughout the Province of British Columbia including risk assessment, safety monitoring and local crisis mobile outreach services.
Adult/Elder Crisis Line: 250-723-4050
Child/Youth Crisis Line: 250-723-2040
KUU-US Aboriginal Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
Indian Residential School Crisis Line
How do I reach the 24 Hour Crisis Line? — Indian Residential School Survivors Society (irsss.ca)
A national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call toll-free: 1-866-925-4419.
Hope for Wellness Indigenous Helpline
Home - Hope for Wellness Helpline
Whether you prefer to talk to someone on the phone or online, we’re here to support you anytime. Hope for Wellness Helpline is available 24/7 to all Indigenous people across Canada.
Métis Crisis Line is a service of Métis Nation British Columbia.
Call: 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722)
Indigenous mental health and wellness
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) - Health through wellness
The FNHA’s community-based services are focused on health promotion and disease prevention, including mental health and wellness.
First Nations Health Authority: 604-693-6500
First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day (FNHA) - Health through wellness
provides virtual health care and referral support for people who do not have a doctor or are unable to get an appointment. It is for all First Nations people living in BC and their family members, including family members who are not Indigenous.
Doctors are available by video or phone from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day.
Call: 1-855-344-3800 to book an appointment.
Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS)
Indian Residential School Survivors Society (irsss.ca)
A partner with the FNHA in providing access to counselling, cultural and emotional support services to former students of residential and day schools, and their families, regardless of status. Call toll-free: 1-800-721-0066 or visit
BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS)
The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS)
Who we are: The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society, or as more commonly known, BCANDS, is an award winning, Indigenous not for profit, charitable Society serving the unique and diverse disability and health resource / support service needs of Indigenous peoples across Canada. BCANDS is a “stand alone” organization and is one of the only organizations of its type in Canada. BCANDS is in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. In 2021, BCANDS will celebrate its 30th year of successfully delivering Indigenous disability and health programs and services across Canada.
BCANDS provides a vast array of services to eligible individuals, families and organizations, both within Indigenous communities and urban and rural centres. If you are an Indigenous person living with a disability, or a community or organization requiring disability or health information and support services, BCANDS may be able to assist.
BCANDS Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Program Overview |
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is committed to improving assistance programs for people with disabilities within British Columbia’s First Nation communities. ISC Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Program recognizes that people with disabilities may require additional supports in order to meet the challenges of daily living and in order to move towards, and maintain, greater independence. To assist, ISC has contracted with the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) to provide Persons with Disabilities (PWD) adjudication services relating to PWD applications received from individuals residing within British Columbia’s First Nation communities. The PWD adjudication process determines if community members qualify for extended services based upon outlined PWD eligibility criteria.
DISABILITY ORGANIZATIONS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA | (bcands.bc.ca)
Technology and Assistive Devices
Metis Community Services Society of BC (MCSBC)
Services – Metis Community Services Society of BC (mcsbc.org)
About – Metis Community Services Society of BC (mcsbc.org)
OUR MISSION - MCSBC is a non-profit Society that is recognized and empowered by Metis citizens in BC to provide holistic services that ensure the health and well-being of the Metis community. MCSBC promotes the health and well-being of the Metis community as we:
- Increase cultural awareness to BC communities which reflects our unique heritage
- Honour and support the importance of a healthy family environment in the delivery of holistic programs and services
- Encourage stronger relationships among our Metis Elders, youth, families, and our community
Call Us: 250-868-0351 Email Us: reception@mcsbc.org Address: 147 Park Rd. Kelowna, BC
Musqueam First Nations band, community services - health
Musqueam’s health department provides band and community members access to basic health, mental wellness and home and community care programs on reserve. By providing health promotion and prevention programs, we assist members in living healthier, longer lives. We encourage members to take charge of their health through education, information, and learning so they are better equipped to avoid disease and complications of chronic illnesses.
Musqueam Health Department Programs and Services Directory
MIB-Health-Services-directory-2018-2020.pdf (musqueam.bc.ca)
Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society
Home - Tsow-Tun Le Lum SocietyTsow-Tun Le Lum Society (tsowtunlelum.org)
Provides confidential outreach services such as counselling, cultural supports and personal wellness programs. Call toll-free: 1-888-403-3123 or visit their website.
The Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society - YouTube
Stó:lō Services Agency - Health and Wellness
Sto:lo Nation (stolonation.bc.ca)
The Health Department at Stó:lō Services Agency supports interacting health programs that service that serve member communities and many of which are also available to the general public. Programs offered through the Health Department include:
- Health Management
- Community Health
- Baby Time
- Home & Community Care
- Adult In-Home Care
- Nutritionist
- Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI)
- Family Empowerment
- Wellness Services
- Aboriginal Mental Health
- Aboriginal Support and Crisis Intervention Response Team (ASCIRT)
- Qwi:qwelstom Wellness Workers
- Family Services
- Aboriginal Supported Child Development (ASCD)
- Aboriginal Infant Development Program (AIDP)
- Stó:lō Elders Lodge
Mental health associations, community and peer support
MindmapBC
Find Help You Can Trust | Mind Map BC
What is MindMapBC?
MindMapBC is a custom-made database of outpatient mental health services including professional counselling, peer counselling, support groups, and others. Where possible, we have selected services that are free, low-cost, or sliding scale, and self-referral services—meaning you do not need to see a doctor before accessing the service.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
Our Vision - Mentally healthy people in a healthy society.
Our Mission - As the nationwide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness.
Our Key Values and Principles:
- Embracing the voice of people with mental health issues
- Promoting inclusion
- Working collaboratively
- Influencing the social determinants of health (ie. housing, justice)
- Focusing on the mental health needs of all age groups
- Using evidence to inform our work
- Being transparent and accountable
Mental Health Test l CMHA National
Understanding the characteristics that make up good mental health will help you determine how mentally fit you are. Here are some real-life examples: Ability to enjoy life, Resilience, Self-Actualization and Flexibility. Now you’re ready to take our Mental Health Meter. Please answer every question below as honestly as you can. Read each statement, indicating whether you “Agree” or “Disagree” with it. Then, click on the “Submit“ button at the end to get your score and your results. Disclaimer - This is not a scientific test. Information provided is not a substitute for professional advice. If you feel that you may need advice, please consult a qualified health care professional.
Opening Minds - Mental health Commission of Canada - Continuum Self-Check.
Continuum Self-Check - Opening Minds - Workplace Mental Health Training
Use the Mental Health Continuum to do a self-check. Click or tap on the indicators you see in yourself to help guide a self-check using the Mental Health Continuum. This is not a diagnostic tool. Refresh the page to clear.
Roots of Hope, suicide prevention program, Mental Health Commission of Canada
Roots of Hope: A community suicide prevention project - Mental Health Commission of Canada
Roots of Hope is a multi-site, community-led project that aims to reduce the impacts of suicide within communities across Canada. The project builds upon community expertise to implement suicide prevention interventions that are tailored to the local context. It will lead to the development of an evidence base, including best practices and suicide prevention guidelines and tools, to support the scale up and implementation of a “made-in-Canada” model across the country.
Canadian Mental Health Association of BC (CMHA BC)
About CMHA BC – Bounceback (bouncebackbc.ca)
Our Vision: Mentally Healthy People in a Healthy Society - Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. In BC, mental health, substance use and addictive behaviour are within the scope of the organization. Through our family of over 100 local, provincial and national locations across Canada, CMHA provides a wide range of innovative services and supports tailored to and in partnership with our communities. Mental health begins where you live, learn, work and play. Together, we are making a difference. Find Your Local Branch Here
Thank you for your interest in volunteering! CMHA BC is a volunteer-driven organization that depends on volunteers like you to help us to develop our vision and provide services. Studies show that regular volunteer activity can have a positive effect on mental and physical health. Volunteering with CMHA provides the opportunity to build skills, learn more about mental health and meet new people, while helping build a more caring community. Because of the benefits of volunteering, we especially encourage those personally affected by mental illness to volunteer.
Bounceback
BounceBack® is a free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered online or over the phone with a coach, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.
Your wellbeing shouldn’t have to wait. With the right tools and practice, you can bounce back to reclaim your mental health.
BounceBack Coaching – Bounceback (bouncebackbc.ca)
In order to start with the BounceBack® Coaching program, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- 15 years of age or older
- Currently living in BC
- Already connected to a primary care provider (physician or nurse practitioner) or psychiatrist *
- Not at risk of harming self or others
- Are not diagnosed with a personality disorder
- Have not had a manic episode or psychosis in the last 6 months
- Not significantly misusing drugs or alcohol to the extent that it would impact engagement in CBT treatment
* If you do not have a primary care provider (either a physician, nurse practitioner or a psychiatrist) you can visit a walk-in clinic and ask for a referral.
You can also book an appointment with Access Virtual Clinic that offers secure telehealth consultation with licensing BC practitioners who are able to provide you with a referral to BounceBack. Need more information? Contact an Access Virtual Care Coordinator at 1-888-547-5575 from 8am-8pm Monday-Friday and 9am-5pm on weekends and holidays.
Wellness Together Canada
Wellness Together Canada | Home
Help is a click away - Mental health and substance use support for people in Canada and Canadians abroad. Always free and virtual, 24/7. Get the right support. Always free. We provide free resources for mental health and substance use support. Tell us a little bit about yourself and we’ll find the ones best suited to you. Your answers will remain private and confidential.
Canadian Mental Health Association Peer Navigator program
https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/community-navigator
A community navigator supports clients to address quality-of-life issues that affect their health, wellness and connection with the community they live in.
Prince George Branch: 250-564-8644 or www.princegeorge.cmha.bc.ca
Cariboo Chilcotin Branch (Williams Lake): 250-392-4489 or www.williamslake.cmha.bc.ca
South Cariboo Branch (100 Mile House): 250-395-4883 or southcariboo@cmha.bc.ca
Kootenays Branch (Cranbrook): 250-426-5222 or www.kootenays.cmha.bc.ca
Kelowna Branch: 250-861-3644 or www.kelowna.cmha.bc.ca
North and West Vancouver Branch: 604-987-6959 or www.northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca
Peer Navigation, Canadian Mental Health Association, Northwest Vancouver
https://northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca/peer-support-and-community-wellness/
A Peer Navigator is someone you can talk to about the challenges you’re facing – big or small.
A Peer Navigator can offer a listening ear, as well as information and resources.
A Peer Navigator has lived experience with mental health challenges, and can connect with you about your experiences and offer guidance on your journey.
It’s free to connect with a Peer Navigator. There is no formal intake process or eligibility criteria. A Peer Navigator can talk with you within a week of reaching out to us. They can connect with you over the phone, email, or Zoom. You can connect with Peer Navigator once or ongoing.
Parent Navigation & Youth Peer Support It can be helpful to talk with someone who’s been there about what’s going on for you. They can offer a different perspective, try to answer questions and help you find resources, online or in your community. Peer support provides the chance to connect with another young person who’s there to listen to you about any struggle or challenge you may be experiencing. They’re not doctors or counsellors, their expertise comes from life experience, which can help if you’re feeling nervous or unsure about getting in touch with a service provider.
Indigenous Peer Support Initiatives CMHA NWV has been working alongside Tsleil-Waututh Nation, First Nations Health Authority and Reciprocal Consulting to pilot peer support initiatives in Indigenous communities in the South Coast region of BC.
Unsinkable Mental Health Support
Unsinkable - Mental Health Support (weareunsinkable.com)
TOGETHER WE ARE UNSINKABLE. Unsinkable is a charitable organization founded by Olympic hero and mental health advocate Silken Laumann. OUR MISSION #BRIDGE THE GAP
Unsinkable uses storytelling to help people #BridgeTheGap between struggling with their mental health and taking steps towards mental well-being.
UNSINKABLE AMPLIFIES VOICES AND ENCOURAGES A HEALTHY NARRATIVE THROUGH OUR STORYTELLER PROGRAM. While working with the Unsinkable team, people are encouraged, coached, and supported while they share their stories of courage, resilience, bravery, transformation, recovery, and hope. We proudly offer a platform for anyone to share their experiences and perspectives.
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS — We Are Unsinkable
Community Champions are the leaders of our mental health movement, and work towards educating, connecting, and empowering people. They have shown tremendous commitment in the field of mental health advocacy. We support Champs in accomplishing their mental well-being goals as ambassadors of the Unsinkable community.
YMCA, Mental Health and Wellness Services and Programs
Mental Health and Wellness Services and Programs | YMCA BC
Looking for mental health and wellness services in BC? The YMCA is here to help! Our free mental wellness programs, Y Mind and Mind Medicine, help participants learn how to manage stress and mild-to-moderate anxiety. Our programs are evidence-based and teach Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness. To participate, you may self-refer, you do not need a diagnosis of anxiety, and you do not need to be a YMCA member.
Y Mind Teen: Y Mind Teen is a free seven-week mental wellness program delivered across BC. This program supports teens ages 13 to 18 who are experiencing symptoms of mild-to-moderate anxiety or stress. Participants learn and practice evidence-based strategies to help manage anxiety.
Y Mind Youth: If you are aged 18 to 30 and struggling with mild-to-moderate anxiety or stress, this group is for you. Y Mind Youth is a free seven-week mental wellness program delivered across BC. Participants learn and practice evidence-based strategies to help manage anxiety.
Y Mind Adult: Y Mind Adult supports adults ages 31+ who are experiencing stress and mild to moderate anxiety. This mental wellness program is a skills-based group led by mental health professionals in a supportive virtual environment. Participants will learn evidence-based strategies to increase coping skills.
Mind Medicine Mind Medicine is a program that offers the Y Mind curriculum in a culturally responsive way. These programs are skills-based groups led by mental health professionals in a supportive environment and include connection to culture, as determined by Mind Medicine facilitators. Mind Medicine programs are only delivered in partnership with Indigenous-serving organizations in Canada and are available to the young people in these communities. Programs are delivered in person or online, according to each organization.
Well-Being Program for Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Deaf-Blind people in British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)
The Well-Being Program (WBP) provides Mental Health Services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & Deaf-Blind people throughout the province of British Columbia. Home page includes as introductory video, activity calendar, services and program information
Overview - VCH Deaf Well Being
The Deaf Well-Being Program (WBP) provides mental health services to Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind people throughout BC. The WBP provides services for individuals, couples, children, youth, and families. Unfortunately, at this time, some of the services, such as therapy groups, are only accessible for those in the Lower Mainland area.
Community Links - VCH Deaf Well Being
Includes interpreting and community links
BC Psychological Association - Find a Registered Psychologist
Find a Registered Psychologist | BC Psychological Association (psychologists.bc.ca)
Announcement from BCPA: In order to better serve British Columbians, most psychologists have now moved their practices online to follow social distancing during this pandemic. Our referral service remains open. Help is still available to you.
This form allows you to search by: city, client type, area of practice, therapy method, and language. If you leave out a criterion, the system will search our list of psychologists using the other criteria. For example, you can specify a city but leave other criteria blank, and you will get a list of all of the psychologists on our referral list who are in that city or town. When searching by name, be sure to enter only the last name, without first names, spaces, prefixes, or suffixes.
Counselling BC - Closer to the help you need when you need it
Vancouver, BC: Counselling Psychologists, Therapists, Counsellors Directory | Counselling BC Search our directory of counsellors and psychologists in BC... Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below: City, Area of Practice, Approach used, language spoken
MindHealthBC
Answer the questions above to find resources and take our screening quiz to uncover what mental health and substance use challenges you may be struggling with.
MindHealthBC was developed by Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care through funding from the Shared Care Committee - a joint committee of the Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health. MindHealthBC is a one stop shop that gathers the wealth of evidence based resources available in your community and combines them into one easy to use website. MindHealthBC’s detailed online directory includes:
- Mental health and substance use information
- Self-help resources and online programs
- Local support groups for patients and for friends and family members
- Community health services suited to an individual's specific needs
You can search by topics such as Anxiety or Depression or by resource type to find things such as Information , Self Help , Symptom Monitoring , Support Groups/Peer Support , Service Directory or enter in a keyword to look for something specific.
Working with your Doctor When You Have a Mental Illness. Author: Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division
https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/infosheet/working-with-your-doctor-when-you-have-a-mental-illness
The Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing a mental illness through public education, community-based research, advocacy, and direct services. Visit www.cmha.bc.ca.
heretohelp - mental health and substance use information you can trust
https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/resource-library
Seven agencies came together for this project as the BC Partners, because we recognize that people need to have access to quality information on mental health, mental illness, and substance use problems.
Wellness Together Canada – Mental Health and Substance Use support
Wellness Together Canada | Home
Wellness Together Canada was created in response to an unprecedented rise in mental health and substance use concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with funding from the Government of Canada. As a country, we are facing challenges at a scale we’ve never seen before, from social isolation and financial insecurity to substance use concerns and racial inequality. We may be physically apart, but at the end of the day, we’re all in this together. We believe that wellness is a journey, not a destination—and every day, we can each take a step toward our own well-being. Wellness Together Canada is here to support you on that journey.
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, compliments of Canada Life.
https://www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com/resources/health-resources
Tools and resources for managing your own health and wellness, as well as information for helping others. Find credible information about managing well-being and mental health-related concerns. We have done some of the work for you to save you time and stress. We searched for and reviewed credible resources that can help you manage your own well-being and help those you care about.
Thrive Global – Unlocking Better Mental Health
https://thriveglobal.com/categories/mental-health-thriving-mind/
Grieving, loss and bereavement
Lumara Grief and Bereavement Care Society
https://lumarasociety.org/about-us/
At Lumara, we envision a world where no one has to grieve alone, and we work to offer care, community, and meaningful pathways toward healing for people of all ages.
https://lumarasociety.org/programs/
Our programs offer care, connection, and creativity for people of all ages online, in community, and in nature.
Bereavement Support Groups
Circles of Strength | Lumara Grief & Bereavement Care Society (lumarasociety.org)
These year-round community-based groups were created by our organization’s founder, Dr. Heather Mohan, in 1998 on the North Shore of Vancouver, British Columbia, and have since been offered all across Canada. Some of our dedicated volunteers have been assisting with these groups since they first began! In response to the global pandemic, the Society has postponed all of the physical groups until further notice. We now offer virtual alternatives – called “Connections” – that are available for participants from all regions across Canada.
This program provides ongoing opportunities for those who are bereaved to connect, to share their experiences in a supportive environment and to learn strategies that can assist them in coping with their grief. All groups are facilitated by experienced therapists who are often assisted by trained volunteers. While the program is family-centered in philosophy, each meeting includes a breakout time with separate talking circles and expressive arts therapy activities for adults, youth and children.
Volunteer | Lumara Grief & Bereavement Care Society (lumarasociety.org)
Volunteer With Us - If you have a passion for helping others and want to make a real positive difference for those living with a life-threatening illness and/or those significantly impacted by grief and loss then you have arrived at the right place.
Throughout the the year we offer several volunteer opportunities for those interested in positions of areas such as; Administration, Board & Committees, Counselling, Creative Arts, Fundraising, Group Facilitation, Photography, Support Staff, Sports & Recreation, Videography, Wellness and more. In response to the pandemic, a number of our programs and workshops have been transitioned to virtual platforms, so the exciting news is that there are no-longer travel barriers in regard to volunteering with us!
Our talented team includes more than three hundred volunteers across Canada who contribute their time, skills, and energy each year to help make Lumara an ongoing success. We welcome and encourage people of all ages and from all backgrounds to apply. f you are interested in joining our community as a Volunteer then please take the next step by completing an online application below or by contacting our office.
Threads of Life
Each worker and family member who has been affected by a workplace tragedy is a thread in the quilt of life. Bringing hope and healing - The Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, known as Threads of Life, is a Canadian registered charity dedicated to supporting families after a workplace fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease. Our network of family members and corporate partners believes traumatic workplace injuries, occupational diseases and deaths are preventable.
Programs | Threads of Life Family Forums - An opportunity to meet with other families, while learning healthy coping skills, active listening, and how to help each other in a community of support. Family Forums bring families affected by a workplace tragedy together to share, network and, ultimately, heal. At these special events, spouses, parents, siblings and close friends gather to learn coping skills for grief, active listening skills, tips on how the occupational health and safety system works, self-care, and so much more.
Volunteer | Threads of Life Volunteers play a critical role in the success of Threads of Life. Volunteers provide support to families affected by workplace tragedy, share their stories as members of the Speakers Bureau or in print, and plan and help out at events.Threads of Life offers volunteer opportunities with Steps for Life, Speakers Bureau, Volunteer Family Guides, Trade Shows, and Community Engagement.
Healing Hearts Canada
We Are Parents, Spouses, Siblings and Friends who have all lost a loved one to substance use related harms. Is Healing Hearts For you? WHAT IS HEALING HEARTS?
Healing Hearts Bereavement support is offered by Moms Stop the Harm (MSTH), a network of Canadian families impacted by substance-use related harms and deaths. MSTH advocates to change failed drug policies and provide peer support to grieving families and those with loved ones who use or have used substances. Healing Hearts is a free bereavement support group specific to those grieving the loss of a loved one due to overdose or substance-use related harms.
Healing Hearts support groups offer an open-format peer-facilitated model of support. Healing Hearts does not offer therapeutic counselling. The group facilitators have lived experience and have personally lost a loved one to substance related harms. All members are 18 or older.
How to Support Grief | Healing Hearts Bereavement Support - Canada (healingheartscanada.org)
VOLUNTEER AS A FACILITATOR - We are always looking for volunteers to facilitate meetings in their local areas. At Healing Hearts, our goal is to offer comfort to people across Canada who have suffered a loss specifically to overdose or drug-related harms. Leading a peer-facilitated group is both a comforting and rewarding experience.
REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A FACILITATOR
- You have lost a loved one to substance use disorder or drug harms
- You feel you can offer peer support to people with shared experience
- Be, or become a member of Moms Stop The Harm
- You have moved past 1 year since the loss of a loved one
- You have applied and been approved as a Facilitator.
Whats Your Grief
What We Do - To put it simply, this website is about grief. That probably sounds oversimplified, but grief is a complex topic. Grief is an emotional, logistical, and existential nightmare. It requires us to navigate life without someone important, deal with overwhelming thoughts and feelings, and find ways to function in a world turned on its head. Specifically, our mission is to promote grief education, exploration, and expression in both practical and creative ways. We achieve this mission by providing:
- Resources related to understanding and coping with grief and loss
- Guidance on how to help a grieving friend or family member
- Online courses about grief and supporting someone who’s grieving
- Resources, education, and training for grief counsellors, grief volunteers, and other professionals working in fields related to grief and loss.
- A podcast about grief
- A supportive community
Share Your Grief - Whats your Grief
At What’s Your Grief, we’re all about sharing in the experience of grief, whether it’s through sharing a snapshot, a short story, a recipe, or engaging with others in the comments of our blog posts.
Autism services and supports, awareness and information about neurodiversity
Pacific Autism Family Centre
OVERVIEW | Pacific Autism Family Centre
The Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) is a centre of excellence and network of supports for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families across the province. The PAFN’s core purpose is to be a Knowledge Centre: Bringing together state of the art resources for research, information, learning, assessment, treatment and support; and building capacity to address the lifespan needs of individuals with ASD and related disorders. The PAFN will build upon existing lifespan services while at the same time addressing the need for support and services across the province.
VOLUNTEER | Pacific Autism Family Centre
Become a PAFN Volunteer! The Pacific Autism Family Network is a volunteer friendly environment and our volunteers are a key part of our network! They share our value of making a difference in the lives of individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. As a member of our volunteer team, your commitment to our organization is priceless. By volunteering your time, you are not only filling an important position in our organization but helping to support our vision of building a brighter future across British Columbia. We thank you for considering sharing your time and talent with us. If you are interested in becoming a PAFN volunteer, please complete the online form and click submit!
Autism Support Network of BC
About - Autism Support Network of British Columbia (autismsupportbc.ca)
Your Trusted Information Network - The Autism Support Network is an organization of families and professionals educating and supporting families about Applied Behaviour Analysis and its application as a treatment for autism. We seek to strengthen our community across British Columbia by building local networks so that families can connect with other families in their own neighbourhoods.
Richmond Autism Parent Support
RAPS (Richmond Autism Parent Support) - Home (rapsupport.org)
RAPS (Richmond Autism Parent Support) is an informal group which meets on a drop in basis; we provide information and support to parents of children with autism. We bring in several guest speakers during the course of the year to cover specific topics and provide an opportunity for parents to network, discuss issues, share their successes, challenges and learn from each other.
What is Neurodiversity, Very Well Mind
What Is Neurodiversity? (verywellmind.com)
Neurodiversity is the idea that it’s normal and acceptable for people to have brains that function differently from one another. Rather than thinking there is something wrong or problematic when some people don't operate similarly to others, neurodiversity embraces the differences in both brain function and behavioral traits as a natural element of how diverse the human population is.
Neurodiversity and Autism Awareness, by Maureen Bennie, April 12, 2016
What is Neurodiversity? - Autism Awareness (autismawarenesscentre.com)
Most people understand the concept of inclusion, but neurodiversity is a relatively new topic that is gaining traction. Neurodiversity is the concept that humans don’t come in a one-size-fits-all neurologically “normal” package. Instead, this it recognizes that all variations of human neurological function need to be respected as just another way of being, and that neurological differences like autism and ADHD are the result of normal / natural variations in the human genome.
Acquired brain injury services, supports and awareness
The Brain Injury Alliance of BC
About The Brain Injury Alliance | British Columbia
The Brain Injury Alliance is composed of non-profit brain injury organizations in British Columbia. The Alliance uses its collective philosophy, experience and skills to bring about positive change in British Columbia, and to improve the lives for people living with acquired brain injury in this province. The Alliance also advocates for adequate and sustainable funding for the brain injury prevention, education, and individual supports provided by community non-profit brain injury services.
Our Vision: That all persons with a brain injury in British Columbia thrive in their community.
Our Mission: To advocate for the help, healing and lifelong growth and rehabilitation of British Columbians affected by an injury to the brain.
Brain Injury Canada
Brain Injury Canada - Supporting the brain injury community
Welcome to Brain Injury Canada’s resource website. This site is meant to be a living resource that you can come back to and explore at your own pace. We will be adding content on a continual basis. We recommend taking your time and bookmarking pages/resources so you can revisit them.
Brainstreams - Learning. Living. Sharing.
Our Vision: We believe that every individual with an acquired brain injury has the right to be considered as a full participating member and have an impact in BC society.
Our Mission: To provide leadership for developing, driving and implementing a provincial strategy in BC to improve the lives of people who live with acquired brain injury.
In the Learn module of the website you can explore information about the various stages of a brain injury, from healthy brain function, to the different types of injuries that can occur and about the path of recovery. Our educational resources include facts and suggested best practices, videos and links to other online resources. The information found on our site is intended to serve brain injury survivors, their family and friends, as well as healthcare practitioners. Use our website as an educational guide. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We encourage those recovering from a brain injury to connect with their local brain injury organization in order to get the support and services they are seeking for themselves as well as their family and friends.
We have an excellent Resources Page, searchable by location, which you can explore here.
Social isolation and peer support
Care to Speak, Peer Support for Caregivers
Care to Speak | Care For Caregivers
Care to Speak is a peer support service that provides emotional and psychological help to healthcare workers. If you need someone to talk to, about anything, we’re here. Give us a call or chat with us online; it’s free and confidential. Connect with us from Monday to Friday, 5pm to 9pm, and Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
Confidential Peer Support Hotline: 1-866-802-7337 (PEER)
Peer Support System | Care For Caregivers
BECOME A VOLUNTEER: Over the past few months, health care workers have made significant personal sacrifices and juggled challenging work conditions on behalf of their work. We are seeking volunteers to serve as a support system for these individuals during this extraordinarily challenging time. Care for Caregivers, on behalf of the Canadian Mental Health Association of BC and SafeCare BC, is searching for individuals who have previously worked in long-term care, home care, or other areas of health care, who would be interested in volunteering their time to provide peer support to health care workers on the front lines.
Interested applicants should be empathetic, non-judgmental, open-minded, open to feedback, have access to – and are comfortable operating – a computer, respect the confidentiality of others, and can commit to volunteering one day per week for a 1-year term.
Interested parties must complete online training prior to starting their role and can expect to volunteer one-day per week. The Canadian Mental Health Association of BC will provide ongoing support to volunteers. Applicants chosen to become volunteers will have references contacted and will be required to complete a criminal record check.
If interested in being a volunteer, please complete the form below. A representative from the Canadian Mental Health Association of BC will be in touch.
Threads of Life
Each worker and family member who has been affected by a workplace tragedy is a thread in the quilt of life. Bringing hope and healing - The Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, known as Threads of Life, is a Canadian registered charity dedicated to supporting families after a workplace fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease. Our network of family members and corporate partners believes traumatic workplace injuries, occupational diseases and deaths are preventable.
Family Forums - An opportunity to meet with other families, while learning healthy coping skills, active listening, and how to help each other in a community of support.
Family Forums bring families affected by a workplace tragedy together to share, network and, ultimately, heal. At these special events, spouses, parents, siblings and close friends gather to learn coping skills for grief, active listening skills, tips on how the occupational health and safety system works, self-care, and so much more.
Volunteers play a critical role in the success of Threads of Life. Volunteers provide support to families affected by workplace tragedy, share their stories as members of the Speakers Bureau or in print, and plan and help out at events.
Threads of Life offers volunteer opportunities with Steps for Life, Speakers Bureau, Volunteer Family Guides, Trade Shows, and Community Engagement.
Peer Navigation, Canadian Mental Health Association, Northwest Vancouver
https://northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca/peer-support-and-community-wellness/
A Peer Navigator is someone you can talk to about the challenges you’re facing – big or small.
A Peer Navigator can offer a listening ear, as well as information and resources.
A Peer Navigator has lived experience with mental health challenges, and can connect with you about your experiences and offer guidance on your journey.
It’s free to connect with a Peer Navigator. There is no formal intake process or eligibility criteria. A Peer Navigator can talk with you within a week of reaching out to us. They can connect with you over the phone, email, or Zoom. You can connect with Peer Navigator once or ongoing.
Parent Navigation & Youth Peer Support It can be helpful to talk with someone who’s been there about what’s going on for you. They can offer a different perspective, try to answer questions and help you find resources, online or in your community. Peer support provides the chance to connect with another young person who’s there to listen to you about any struggle or challenge you may be experiencing. They’re not doctors or counsellors, their expertise comes from life experience, which can help if you’re feeling nervous or unsure about getting in touch with a service provider.
Indigenous Peer Support Initiatives CMHA NWV has been working alongside Tsleil-Waututh Nation, First Nations Health Authority and Reciprocal Consulting to pilot peer support initiatives in Indigenous communities in the South Coast region of BC.
The Community Mental Wellness Association of Canada
CMWAC – Ready to meet life's challenges together
The CMWAC (formerly the Richmond Chinese Mental Health Support Group and the Chinese Mental Wellness Association of Canada) is a registered non-profit charitable organization that was established in 1995 as a grassroots organization. It serves as a platform that connects those with mental illness to their family members and other people with shared mental health concerns via culturally appropriate counseling services, education and training referrals provided within a caring community environment.
With the help of volunteers and in collaboration with other organizations, we strive towards our objective of reducing the social stigma associated with mental illness as part of an early intervention and prevention strategy. We believe that offering peer support services and providing regular therapy programs has an impact in the community and empowers individuals to take control of their lives and better manage their mental health.
Optimal Aging, McMaster University
Social Isolation| McMaster Optimal Aging Portal
Discover the risk factors. Learn how social isolation impacts health and well-being, and practical ways to reduce your risk.
Social isolation: what is it and why is it important to your health? (mcmasteroptimalaging.org)
Social isolation: Leaning on technology for our mental well-being (mcmasteroptimalaging.org)
“Laugh out loud!” Leaning on laughter and humour during difficult times (mcmasteroptimalaging.org)
Mental well-being: What’s ‘food’ got to do with it? (mcmasteroptimalaging.org)
Reading to escape isolation (mcmasteroptimalaging.org)
Peers for Progress - Peer Support Around the World
Who We Are | Peers For Progress
Peers for Progress was founded in 2006 to promote peer support as a key part of health, health care, and prevention around the world. The mission of Peers for Progress is to accelerate the availability of best practices in peer support. Peers for Progress is designed to demonstrate the value of peer support, extend the evidence base for such interventions, help establish peer support as an accepted, core component of health care, and promote peer support programs and networks on a global scale.
Peers for Progress is continually expanding a global network of networks of peer support organizations to address the needs of various chronic diseases, health risks and other conditions that require ongoing health care and sustained behavior change, including but not limited to heart diseases, and mental health challenges and illness. If you are interested in using peer support or have been involved with a peer support program, we encourage you to connect with colleagues in other peer support initiatives by joining the Peers for Progress network. You can also review existing Peers for Progress Global Network and learn about our members here.
Relaxation and calming tools and techniques
calm
https://www.calm.com/resources
take a deep breath… Let’s look after ourselves, and each other.
We’ve handpicked some of our favorite meditations, Sleep Stories, Calm Masterclasses, music, and kids content. All of the resources on this page are free to use, and to share.
May they bring you more peace. Experience Free Content - All hand-picked to support your mental and emotional wellness through this time.
A Soft Murmur
Ambient sounds to wash away distraction.
Stress-busting skills to try in everyday life.
Stress-busting skills to try in everyday life : Life Kit: Health : NPR
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Going through something really tough? Stress is a part of life — but we can learn to manage it. NPR health correspondent Allison Aubrey shares evidence-based skills from a research psychologist at Northwestern University aimed to bring more ease into your life. This episode is Part 1 of the new series, Stress Less: A Quest to Reclaim Your Calm.
All it takes is 10 mindful minutes.
Andy Puddicombe: All it takes is 10 mindful minutes | TED Talk
When is the last time you did absolutely nothing for 10 whole minutes? Not texting, talking or even thinking? Mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe describes the transformative power of doing just that: Refreshing your mind for 10 minutes a day, simply by being mindful and experiencing the present moment. (No need for incense or sitting in uncomfortable positions.)
Insight Timer
The world's largest library of free guided meditations with 300,000 tracks from psychologists, spiritual leaders and mindfulness teachers.
Healthyminds innovations
https://hminnovations.org/meditation-app
The award-winning, freely available app to help you learn the skills for wellbeing.
Resilience, positive thinking, goal setting and time management
Resilience Tips, by Shelley Hourston, Disability Alliance BC.
https://disabilityalliancebc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Resilience-Tips-1-to-30.pdf
The following Resilience Tips were originally published in DABC’s e-newsletter, Our Voice.
Individual Resilience Tips may be reprinted with the following information:
Resilience Tips Series 2012-2014 by Shelley Hourston, Disability Alliance BC
My top 5 tips for building mental resilience, Sheila White, 97
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1859701315790
The B.C. resident stays active and connected to her community throughout the pandemic.
Self-compassion Institute with Dr. Kristin Neff.
Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff: Join the Community Now
Self-compassion is simply the process of turning compassion inward. We’re kind and understanding rather than harshly self-critical when we fail, make mistakes, or feel inadequate. We give ourselves support and encouragement rather than being cold or judgmental when challenges and difficulties arise in our lives. Research indicates that self-compassion is one of the most powerful sources of coping and resilience we have available, radically improving our mental and physical wellbeing. It motivates us to make changes and reach our goals not because we’re inadequate, but because we care and want to be happy.
Job loss and unemployment stress.
Job Loss and Unemployment Stress - HelpGuide.org
While the stress of losing a job can seem overwhelming, there are many things you can do to take control of the situation, maintain your spirits, and find a renewed sense of purpose.
Very well mind – positive thinking apps that can change your outlook
Positive Thinking Apps (verywellmind.com)
Positive thinking can transform your life. While this is a commonly shared opinion, it is also one that is backed by research.
- Studies show that positive thinking is linked with greater health. Those who have more hope tend to engage in healthier behaviors and go to the doctor less frequently. They also tend to take better care of themselves and are better with preventative care.
- Positive thinkers also tend to be happier. And this happiness can translate into success in other areas of life. Studies by researcher Barbara Fredrickson show that those who experience boosts in their mood tend to recognize opportunities more frequently and take advantage of them, leading to greater successes in life.
Healthy Thinking, Here to Help
Wellness Module 8: Healthy Thinking | Here to Help
Author: CMHA BC and Anxiety Canada
- Troubled by upsetting thoughts?
- Dwelling on the negative?
- Finding it hard to see things positively?
If you feel this way, you are not alone. We all find ourselves coping with troubling thoughts from time to time—especially when we're going through changes in our lives or when we feel depressed, anxious, sad, angry or stressed out. What is healthy thinking? Healthy thinking does NOT mean positive thinking! No one can look at things positively all the time. Sometimes bad things happen, like getting fired at work, having an argument with a friend or losing someone you love. It's normal and healthy to feel upset and have negative thoughts when these things happen. Healthy thinking means looking at the entire situation—the positive, the negative and the neutral parts—and then coming to a conclusion. In other words, healthy thinking means looking at life and the world in a balanced way, not through rose-coloured glasses.
Indeed.ca career guide – career development – SMART goals: definitions and examples
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/smart-goals
Goal setting is a helpful way to build the career you want. By setting objectives and creating a clear roadmap for how you’ll reach your intended target, you can decide how to apply your time and resources to make progress. Without goals, it can be difficult to determine how to get a certain job, promotion or other milestones you want to achieve.
The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique — Why It Works & How To Do It (todoist.com)
The secret to effective time management is...thinking in tomatoes rather than hours? It may seem silly at first, but millions of people swear by the life-changing power to the Pomodoro Technique. (Pomodoro is Italian for tomato 🍅 which is a common style of kitchen timers). This popular time management method asks you to alternate pomodoros — focused work sessions — with frequent short breaks to promote sustained concentration and stave off mental fatigue.
Focus To Do APP
Focus To-Do - Pomodoro Technique & Tasks (focustodo.cn)
Be focused and make things easier. Focus To-Do is an easy-to-use time and task management application that helps you to manage tasks anywhere and anytime, and helps you to perform tasks efficiently. Millions of users around the world use our application and have gained efficiency. Based on the Pomodoro Technique - Set an execution time for the task, focus on the task until the end of the time, the harvest is not only efficiency, but also the unexpected sense of accomplishment.
Tiny Habits, BJ Fogg
https://tinyhabits.com/welcome/
Creating habits can be fun and easy. Tiny Habits is not magic. It's a method. That means you learn a process. With these new skills you can transform your life. A “Tiny Habit” is a behavior:
- you do at least once a day
- that takes you less than 30 seconds
- that requires little effort
Dr. Jud Brewer, MindSciences, Brown University
About Dr. Jud, Addiction Psychiatrist + Mindfulness Expert (drjud.com)
Jud Brewer MD PhD (“Dr. Jud”) is a New York Times best-selling author and thought leader in the field of habit change and the “science of self-mastery,” having combined over 25 years of experience with mindfulness training with his scientific research.
As an addiction psychiatrist and internationally known expert in mindfulness training for treating addictions, Dr. Jud has developed and tested novel mindfulness programs for habit change, including both in-person and app-based treatments for smoking, emotional eating, and anxiety (Eat Right Now, Unwinding Anxiety and Craving to Quit).
Based on the success of these programs in the lab, he co-founded MindSciences, Inc. to create app-based digital therapeutic versions of these programs for a wider audience, working with individuals, corporations, and hospital systems to put effective, evidence-based behavior change guidance in the hands of people struggling with unwanted behaviors and “everyday addictions.”
20 Healthy Habits for Mental Wellness, April 9, 2021 by Dora Weithers
https://remedygrove.com/wellness/Healthy-Habits-for-Mental-Wellness
Ms. Dora, a certified Christian counselor, explores facts, attitudes and habits that can help us maintain our physical and mental wellbeing. Mental wellness goes beyond the absence of mental illness. Additionally, it is the presence of healthy life principles demonstrated in healthy habits. An awareness of why we do what we do in regard to mental wellness will help us keep focused on healthy choices.
Action for happiness
https://www.actionforhappiness.org/how-to-be-happy
For thousands of years people have relied on ancient wisdom for ideas about how to live a happy life. Now this has been put to the test by modern science and research has identified the practical actions you can take today to feel happier. Although our genes and circumstances play a role, happiness also depends on our choices and activities. We can change how happy we are by the way we approach our lives, even in challenging times.
Read on to learn about the Ten Keys to Happier Living and how to you can put these into practice today. Your actions matter and you can make a difference.
1. Giving: Do things for others
2. Relating: Connect with people
3. Exercising: Take care of your body
4. Awareness: Live life mindfully
5. Trying out: Keep learning new things
6. Direction: Have goals to look forward to
7. Resilience: Finds ways to bounce back
8. Emotions: look for what’s good
9. Acceptance: Be comfortable with who you are
10. Meaning: Be part of something bigger
Happify
Overcome negative thoughts, stress & life’s challenges!
Break old patterns, form new habits. How you feel matters! Whether you're feeling sad, anxious, or stressed, Happify brings you effective tools and programs to help you take control of your feelings and thoughts. Our proven techniques are developed by leading scientists and experts who've been studying evidence-based interventions in the fields of positive psychology, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy for decades.
Self-efficacy
Self-Efficacy and the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program | Here to Help
A reminder that this article from Visions magazine was published more than 1 year ago. It is provided here for reference only. Some information in it may no longer be current. It also represents the point of the view of the author only. See the author box at the bottom of the article for more about the contributor.
Use These Types of Rest to Fight Burnout, Dancia Kendra Susilo, February 2, 2023
Use these 7 types of rest to fight burnout | CharityVillage
In a culture where hustling is commended, working long hours is a brag, and exhaustion is a competition, it can be hard not to feel burned out. Burnout is a state of mental, physical, and/or emotional exhaustion. It is caused by constant and intense stress, and can creep up without you realizing until it is too late. Preventing and healing from burnout requires rest. How much rest is determined by a multitude of factors such as individual needs and how bad the burnout has become. There are seven types of rest and it is crucial that you get all the different types of rest. The combination amount is based on your personality and personal needs.
1. Physical, 2. Mental, 3. Social, 4. Spiritual, 5. Sensory, 6. Emotional and 7. Creative
How to make work-life balance.
Nigel Marsh: How to make work-life balance work | TED Talk
Work-life balance, says Nigel Marsh, is too important to be left in the hands of your employer. Marsh lays out an ideal day balanced between family time, personal time and productivity -- and offers some stirring encouragement to make it happen.
How to make stress your friend.
Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend | TED Talk
Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others.
Mental health and disclosure to others
Disability Disclosure at Work, by Jane Kellogg Murray, Updated June 10, 2022 | Published September 23, 2020
How To Disclose a Disability to Your Employer | Indeed.com
Disclosing a disability to a current or potential employer can be a stressful but necessary step. The fear of discrimination, unconscious bias and other negative consequences leads many to withhold information about their physical or mental health from others. However, telling an employer about a disability — be it visible, like cerebral palsy, or invisible, like chronic pain or depression — may be necessary to receive adequate accommodations to perform your job.
In this article, we explain why you might want to tell your employer about a disability, and how and when to have the conversation.
Accommodation Works - An employer perspective. Lisa Mort-Putland, BA, MPA, Executive Director, Volunteer Victoria, from "Workplace: Disclosure and Accommodations" issue of Visions Journal, 2018, 13 (4), p. 14
Disclosing an invisible disability is still, sadly, a somewhat risky act and it takes courage for an employee to raise their hand and say what they need and why. They can feel self-conscious, different, vulnerable. By the same measure, disclosure is usually accompanied by a request for accommodation—small changes or simple tools that can make success at work easier. Accommodations done well provide protection and support .
Working Together webinar series, Neil Squire
https://www.neilsquire.ca/working-together-webinar-series/
Please join our national Working Together team for a webinar series on a variety of topics designed to support:
- Job Seekers with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses
- People who face barriers and challenges to employment
- Businesses interested in hiring or supporting their existing staff
There is no cost in attending our webinar series. You may register for all or some of the webinars.
Addiction issues and substance use
Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service (ADIRS)
Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service | HealthLink BC
ADIRS provides free, confidential information and referral services to British Columbians in need of support with any kind of substance use issue (alcohol or other drugs). Referral to community substance use treatment services is available for all ages. Information available from ADIRS includes prevention resources, support groups, and addiction related topics such as fetal alcohol syndrome. Contact ADIRS toll-free at 1 800 663-1441, or in the Lower Mainland at 604 660-9382. Free, multilingual telephone assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Mental Health and Substance Use Supports in B.C.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/mental-health-support-in-bc
Health Link BC can help you find mental health or substance use information and support. Call 8-1-1 anytime of the day or night. Search resource information by audience, topic or location.
Mental health and substance use, British Columbia Health Link BC.
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health-substance-use
Many British Columbians are affected by mental health and/or substance use issues. In fact, one in five British Columbians will be affected by a mental health and/or substance use issue this year. Mental health and substance use issues can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender, or ethnicity. This could be your neighbour, your co-worker, your dearest friend, your parent, your child, or yourself. Symptoms related to mental health or substance use issues can range from mild to severe. Likewise, the impact to your life, and the lives of those around you, can also range from mild to severe. It is important to know that no matter how you are feeling, you are not alone. There is help out there.
Help Starts Here, Government of British Columbia
Homepage | HelpStartsHere (gov.bc.ca)
About Us | HelpStartsHere (gov.bc.ca)
Welcome to HelpStartsHere.gov.bc.ca, managed by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.
Everyone's story is unique – whether you are on a personal journey or are supporting someone who is facing mental health or substance use challenges.
HelpStartsHere.gov.bc.ca was created because:
- People from all over British Columbia should have the tools necessary to navigate accessing the services and resources they need. And sometimes you may not know where to start.
- People need access to the right supports, at the right time, that meet them where they are at, easily and quickly.
The site has over 2600 service listings publicly-funded or not-for-profit mental health and substance use supports and many articles featuring easy to understand language and curated information about commonly searched topics.
Mental health and substance use, Richmond
Mental health and substance use - Richmond - Vancouver Coastal Health (vch.ca)
Looking for mental health and substance use support in Richmond?
Vancouver Coastal Health has a number of programs and services to support children, youth, adults, and older adults. Provided in both the community as well as at Richmond Hospital, our team is dedicated to supporting you and your loved ones through their journey with mental health. Talk to the Richmond Team - Anyone of any age can call 604-204-1111 to connect with our teams that support children, youth, adults, and older adults in Richmond. You can also look through the program listings below to learn more. If you'd like to share feedback on the one number or any of our services, please email feedbackrichmondmhsu@vch.ca.
Online mental health & substance use services - Vancouver Coastal Health (vch.ca)
Online services make it easy to get help at a time and place that is convenient for you.