Self Help Links
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please contact a suicide prevention center immediately for support.
Looking for a place to get started? Below are some of the best resources available to you. The links will lead you to either a WEB site or contact telephone numbers.
Please report any broken links or inaccuracies to the CounsellingBC support team.
If you represent a provincial self help organization that is not represented here, please contact the CounsellingBC support team so it may be added to the site. Links useful for the General Public.
Alzheimer Society of B.C.
Provides information and support for those individuals affected directly or indirectly by Alzheimer disease.
Arthritis Society - B.C. and Yukon Division
The Arthritis Society (TAS), BC and Yukon division is a progressive not-for-profit organization committed to excellence and leadership in research, care, education and advocacy for people with arthritis.
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
This site provides information about counselling in British Columbia. It is short for the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. BCACC provides information about the regulation of members, its code of ethics, and a searchable database by region.
B.C. Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Programs
A BC resource for community-based services that support survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence, child abuse and criminal harassment.
B.C. Bereavement Helpline
A primary service is the helpline which is free and is confidential. The HelpLine has assisted well over 25,000 callers with immediate telephone support assisting bereaved individuals in finding a bereavement support group in their community which best suits their needs.
B.C. Ministry for Children and Family Development
Site offers information on a range of programs and services to children, youth, parents, families, people with special needs, and those fighting addictions.
Visit website
FACT BC
In British Columbia, counselling therapists are not regulated by a government authority. When a government authority oversees healthcare professionals to ensure they are competent to perform their jobs safely and ethically, this protects you from incompetent practitioners who may take advantage. While most counsellors and mental health therapists in BC are currently registered with a professional association, there are many who are not. This can lead to unethical or harmful practice which in turn can harm the very people they are trying to help. Please be aware of this when you decide which professional is right for you.To learn more about regulation of counselling therapist, visit https://factbc.org
Visit website
B.C. Psychological Association
The site provides information for both the public and professionals. There is a calendar of events with presentations which are accessible to psychologists and other counselling professionals.
B.C. Schizophrenia Society
A non-profit organization dedicated to support, public education, and fund raising for research into Schizophrenia.
B.C. Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
A non-profit society, established to provide therapeutic services for males who have been sexually abused at some time in their lives.
Battered Women's Support Services
Information on support groups and other services for women who have been abuse in their relationships. BWSS operates from a feminist perspective.
BCASVACP
This is the website for the BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Programs. Since 1992, the Association has been a provincial voice for survivors of violence and the community-based services that support them.
Collaborative Divorce BC
Collaborative separation and divorce is a process that seeks to minimize the negative economic, social and emotional consequences of traditional family law litigation. Teams of professionals made up of mental health professionals (divorce coaches), collaborative family lawyers, a financial specialist and a child specialist can work together with family members. The degree to which each type of professional is involved will depend on the unique needs and circumstances of each family. Also click on Divorce Canada for an excellent introduction to Collaborative Separation and Divorce.
Eureka Camp Society
Eureka Outdoor Camp is unique in B.C. Our program is specifically for children and adolescents with INVISIBLE DISABILITIES. Invisible disabilities include: Learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Mild Autism/Aspergers Syndrome, Tourette Syndrome, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Epilepsy. It's a great opportunity to exposed to nature and the type of learning environment that can make a huge difference in their lives.
Families Change
Very clever and informative website, developed by The Law Courts Education Society of BC, and the British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General and the Department of Justice. The site provides links to information to help young children, teens, and families deal with issues that surround divorce. The animated version, for children, is particularly well done.
Fraser Valley Health Resource Directory
A variety of community and hospital-based mental health services and programs are available in Fraser Health communities.
HeadsUpGuys
Fantastic site out of University of British Columbia to help men with mental health issues. HeadsUpGuys includes a screening tool, practical tips, and recovery stories. There is also information for family and friends.
International Network on Personal Meaning
This is a BC based site with an international reach. The INPM is dedicated to advancing health, spirituality, peace and human fulfillment through research, education and applied psychology with a focus on the universal human quest for meaning and purpose.
Mental Health Net
This site is not in B.C. but it is a wonderful resource. It offers a huge amount of useful information on mental health. Over 9,000 resources are indexed at present.
National Eating Disorder Information Centre
A Canadian, non-profit organization, established in 1985 to provide information and resources on eating disorders and weight preoccupation. Their goal is to promote healthy lifestyles that allow people to be fully engaged in their lives.
PeerNetBC
Serves as a resource for self-help and mutual support groups in B.C .
Positive Living Program BC
Positive Living B.C. (formerly BCPWA) is dedicated to empowering persons living with HIV disease and AIDS through mutual support and collective action. BCPWA is Western Canada's largest AIDS organization.
Service BC - After Death
A website to support citizens dealing with a death.
The Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division
The BC Ombudsperson
The Ombudsman receives inquiries and complaints about the practices and services provided by public bodies. She can investigate to determine if the public body is being fair to the people it serves.
The Red Book Online
This site is a search engine for the Red Book which has a vast number of resource listings for the Lower Mainland.
Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter
Offering 24 hour support over the phone and face to face peer counselling. This organization is a member of the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centers.
Find the right Counselling Therapist
From the blog
Everyone finds relationships challenging at times. You're not alone! But there are different ways these challenges present and also different degrees of challenge. Are you someone who feels ok when…