• Community counselling programs
  There are many community organizations that offer counselling services for free or on a sliding scale based on your income. Some examples are Family Services of Greater Vancouver, Jewish Family Services, MOSAIC Counselling Services, and Pacific Community Resources Society. You can find a list of community counselling programs on the website: https://caibc.ca/ccfprofiles/
• Mental health organizations
  There are several mental health organizations that provide information, resources, and peer support for people with specific mental health conditions or needs. Some examples are Anxiety Canada, Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division, Mood Disorders Association of BC, and Jessie's Legacy. You can find more information on the website: https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/q-and-a/where-can-i-find-free-or-low-cost-counselling
• HealthLink BC
  This is a service that connects you to health information and advice 24/7. You can call 8-1-1 to speak to a registered nurse, a pharmacist, or a dietitian. You can also use the Find Services tool or the Locator app to find mental health services in your area. You can find more information on the website: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/resources
• Crisis lines
  These are phone or online services that offer immediate emotional support, information, and referrals for people who are in distress or suicidal. Some examples are 310Mental Health Support (310-6789), 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), and KUU-US Crisis Response Service (1-800-588-8717) for Indigenous peoples in B.C.
• Online chat support
  These are web-based services that allow you to chat with a trained counsellor or peer volunteer who can provide emotional support, information, and resources. Some examples are Wellness Together Canada (https://wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA/service/talk), Care to Speak (1-866-802-7337) for B.C. healthcare workers, and Youthspace.ca (http://youthspace.ca/) for youth under 30.
• Peer support
  These are services that connect you with people who have lived experience of mental health challenges and can offer support, empathy, and guidance. Some examples are BC COVID-19 Mental Health Network (https://www.covid19mentalhealthnetwork.com/), which offers free or low-cost counselling by volunteer professionals, and Care for Caregivers (https://careforcaregivers.ca/), which offers free workshops and tips for healthcare workers.
• Counselling programs
  These are services that offer individual, couple, or family counselling by qualified counsellors or supervised interns. Some examples are Family Services of Greater Vancouver (https://fsgv.ca/programs/counselling/), JFS Vancouver (http://jfsa.ca/counselling/), and Adler Centre (https://www.adlercentre.ca/counselling/). These services may charge a fee based on your income or offer a sliding scale option.
• Courses and workshops
  These are services that offer online or in-person courses and workshops on various topics related to mental health and well-being. Some examples are Workplace Mental Health Hub (https://www.workplacemh.com/), which offers free webinars and information for workers in hard-hit industries, and BounceBack (https://bouncebackbc.ca/), which offers free online courses and coaching for adults and youth with low mood or anxiety.
• Jessie's Legacy
  (https://jessieslegacy.com/), which provides eating disorders prevention and awareness programs, Jessie's Legacy is a program that provides education, resources and support for youth, families, educators and professionals to prevent eating disorders and promote positive body image. It is operated by Family Services of the North Shore and leads the Provincial Eating Disorders Awareness Campaign (PEDAW) in BC.

If you need more help finding the right service for you, you can contact a mental health organization or a crisis line for guidance and support.Remember that you are not alone and that help is available. Taking care of your mental health is important and you deserve to get the support you need.

If you are looking for free or low-cost counselling and mental health resources in Vancouver, BC, you may feel overwhelmed by the many options available. This resource sheet aims to help you find the best support for your needs, whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, substance use, or other challenges.