Impact Level 1

(It’s not too bad)

Other Support Options

Peer Support

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Peer support is 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.

Mood Disorders Association Peer Support Groups people

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A Mood Disorder Association of BC (MDABC) peer-led support group is a safe place to share your story, your struggles and accomplishments, and to listen to others as they share similar concerns. At a MDABC support group you can get a sense of belonging, informal education about your mental health challenges, and the support of others who have 'been there'. Support groups are facilitated by trained volunteers with lived experience of mental health concerns.

Please Note: Support groups are not intended to provide counselling/therapy.​

MDABC has peer-led support groups for people ages 18 and older in the lower mainland, interior and Vancouver Island. For more information and locations see the MDA Peer Support Group page.

Programs

add

If you are interested in a more structured approach, there are programs out there that can provide step-by-step approaches to dealing with certain challenges.

Bounceback Programs Vary ONLINE
Program aimed toward individuals 13 or older, have mild to moderate depression, or are struggling with stress or anxiety.

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BounceBack® is aimed toward individuals who are 13 or older, have mild to moderate depression, or are struggling with stress or anxiety. It’s free, confidential, and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. There are three ways you can access BounceBack:

  1. The BounceBack® Coaching Program, who will help you learn skills to improve your mental health through phone sessions.
  2. The online program to learn at your own pace with the tools to get you where you want to go.
  3. BounceBack Today Videos provide you with practical tips for managing your mood, sleeping better, building confidence, increasing activity, problem solving and healthy living. No referral required.

Programs – YMCA

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YMCA’s across BC offer free mental wellness programs to young people ages 13-30. Click your area to find out what groups are offered, where they are offered and when they are offered at:

School Counsellor

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Speak to Your School Counsellor

Most middle and secondary schools, universities and colleges have counsellors who are there to help students with any challenges they might be having, including those that don’t necessarily relate to school.

 

Get more information

Phone, Online Chat & Text

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Sometimes it can be helpful to connect with a professional about what you’re going through. There are many different ways to connect: through virtual services, phone, online chat, or text, depending on your comfort level.

Kids Help Phone 24/7 PHONE AND TEXT
Toll-free, 24-hour phone, counselling and referral service for young people.

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Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) has toll-free, 24-hour phone, counselling and referral service for young people. You can also connect by texting CONNECT to 686868, and chat confidentially with a trained, volunteer Crisis Responder for support with any issue. If you would like to stop the conversation text STOP. 

Phone, text message and messaging over Facebook Messenger are available 24/7 so you can connect whenever and however you want. It's safe, private and non-judgmental.

Read more about what to expect when connecting with Kids Help Phone.

KUU-US Crisis Line 24/7 PHONE
Support for Indigenous youth in BC.

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The KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a First Nations and Indigenous specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free from anywhere in British Columbia.

KUU-US Crisis Line can be reached toll-free at 1-800-588-8717. Alternatively, individuals can call direct into the Youth Line at 250-723-2040.

Topics the KUU-US Crisis Line can support individuals with include, but are not limited to, mental health issues and crisis related to residential school, child welfare, addiction, health concerns, divorce and separation, suicide ideation and survivorship, grief and loss, crime, abuse, peer pressure and financial distress.​

Here2Talk 24/7 PHONE, MOBILE APP AND WEBSITE
Counselling and community referral services for students in BC.

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Here2Talk connects students with mental health support when they need it. Through this program, all students currently registered in a B.C. post-secondary institution have access to free, confidential counselling and community referral services, conveniently available 24/7 via app, phone and web.

Call Toll Free 1.877.857.3397 or Direct 604.642.5212

If calling from outside Canada, dial +1.604.642.5212. Please note international calling charges may apply.

The Here2Talk app is available for Apple and Android devices. To download the app for your phone or tablet, visit the links below.

Get it on Google Play

 

Foundry Services

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If you are between the ages of 12-24 and looking for free and confidential health and wellness resources, services and supports – online and through communities across BC, there are a few different Foundry services you can check out.

Foundry Centres

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Foundry centres provide young people between the ages of 12 and 24, along with their families, free and confidential supportive health and wellness services to fit their unique needs. All centres offer 5 services: mental health, substance use support, peer support, medical services and social services in a youth-friendly space. FIND A CENTRE

Foundry Virtual

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Young people ages 12-24 and their caregivers can use the Foundry BC App to access scheduled or drop-in virtual services including counselling, peer support, medical services, substance use services, groups, employment services, Indigenous wellness services and browse our library of tools and resources.  GET SUPPORT ONLINE

If you do not have a phone or would prefer to use our website portal to access services, click here. If you have questions about any of these services please email online@foundrybc.ca.

Foundry Peer Support

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Peer Support Workers are youth and caregivers who identify as having lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges, and/or supporting youth with their mental health and/or substance use challenges. Peer support provides emotional support, acceptance, validation, and empathy regardless of circumstances. Peer support is available in Foundry centres across BC and through Foundry’s provincial virtual service.

Impact Level 2

(It’s a lot to handle)

Other Support Options

Info & Resources

add

If you are wanting to learn more, you can find topic-specific information, articles, tips, resources and stories from other young people.

Anxiety

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Everyone feels anxious at times, but too much anxiety can get in the way of daily life. Anxiety can become a problem when it doesn’t go away, gets worse or makes it hard for you to do the things you want to do. Think you might be feeling more anxious? You can learn more about anxiety and take a self-check to see if you might need a little more support.

Anxiety Basics

Tips to Manage Anxiety

Anxiety Self-Check

Social Anxiety Self-Check

Stress

add

Everyone can experience stress from time to time, but continuing to feel stressed can get in the way of daily life. Check out some online resources to learn more about what leads to stress, how to manage and prevent it from affecting your mental and physical well-being.

Stress Basics

Tips to Manage Stress

Stress Self-Check

Depression

add

Problems, disappointments, and losses can affect anyone’s mood. Most often these feelings are temporary. But, when low mood goes on for more than a few weeks and other symptoms appear (having no energy, wanting to be alone) this could be a sign of depression. Check out some online resources on depression or take a self-check to see if you might need some extra support.

Depression Basics

Managing your Mood

Mood Self-Check

Apps & Tools (Topic Specific)

add

If you are looking for ways to manage and prevent challenges on your own, we have selected topic specific Apps and Tools to help you.

Sleep Cycle tracks and analyzes your sleep, waking you up at the most perfect time, feeling rested!

Learn More open_in_new

Mix different sounds and create your perfect sound environment to work and relax. Noisli provides background sounds that help to mask annoying noises in order to keep you sane, improve your focus and boost your productivity.

Learn More open_in_new

Feeling Good uses relaxation, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and resilience building techniques from sport to help improve positive feelings, self-esteem and self-confidence.

Learn More open_in_new

Breathr provides easy and fun ways to practice mindfulness along with interesting facts about the benefits of mindfulness.

Learn More open_in_new

SAM is an app to help you understand and manage your anxiety including tools to help you monitor anxious feelings, practice physical and mental relaxation and build your own toolkit of resources to draw on as needed.

Learn More open_in_new

What's Up? can help you cope with anxiety, stress and feelings of depression. It has interactive games, forums, thought tracking diary and helpful techniques to mange your feelings.

Learn More open_in_new

1 Giant Mind app is for anyone who wants to feel less stressed, more calm and present and experience greater health and well-being. Learn to meditate in 12 easy steps and begin to experience the benefits right away. No previous experience with meditation is needed.

Learn More open_in_new

This toolkit was created for youth to help you understand what things tend to cause you stress, what stress looks like for you, and what tools you can try to help you feel better.

Learn More open_in_new

Anyone can use the Find a Counsellor tool to get support for a variety of mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and more. s. Simply put your keyword into our search system to find a clinical counsellor.

Learn More open_in_new

This wellness module offers activities that can help you learn how to think about common stressful situations in a healthy and balanced way.

Learn More open_in_new

The next time you find yourself tossing and turning, try one of these yoga poses that top yoga teachers around the world practice to help them start snoozing.

Learn More open_in_new

It’s true that most experts recommend keeping your phone and other devices far from where you dream; but listening to effective, sleep-inducing podcasts might be one exception to try if you're really struggling to fall sleep. Whether you’re looking for peaceful meditations, ambient noise, or mellow bedtime stories, here’s a running list of soothing podcasts created specifically to calm you down, bore you senseless, and lose you mid-episode as you drift off to sleep.

Learn More open_in_new

Explore strategies to help you take care of mental health and use substances in healthier ways, find the information you need to manage mental health and substance use problems, and learn how you can support a loved one.

Learn More open_in_new

Guided meditations by Dr. Dzung Vo which you can listen to on his website or download to listen to later.

Learn More open_in_new

This sleep diary can help you track your sleeping habits for up to 2 weeks and figure out what you can do to sleep better.

Learn More open_in_new

Bounce Back® is a free program for individuals 15 and older experiencing mild to moderate depression or anxiety. Resources include videos, coaching by phone, video-conference or text, and an online self-help program.

Learn More open_in_new

Students Against Depression includes tools to help with making small first steps, creating healthy daily routines, changing thinking habits and building skills to help you live well and tackle feelings of depression and low mood.

Learn More open_in_new

A self-care guide on how to make changes to your thinking and actions that can help in dealing with depression.

Learn More open_in_new

Dealing with Depression Online is an interactive resource that can help you understand and deal with low mood and depression. A step-by-step approach can help you learn how to apply realistic thinking, problem solving, and goal setting to your daily life.

Learn More open_in_new

This Social Anxiety Guide can help you to recognize signs of social anxiety, understand what causes it, and can help find ways to overcome thoughts, feelings and behaviours associated with social anxiety.

Learn More open_in_new

Small steps to take care of yourself and help you get through the day.

Learn More open_in_new

Interactive online game to help you cope in different situations where you might experience anxiety.

Learn More open_in_new

Worry Rockets is an online game to help "launch" your worries away.

Learn More open_in_new

Impact Level 3

(It’s a huge deal)

Other Support Options

Info & Resources

add

If you are wanting to learn more, you can find topic-specific information, articles, tips, resources and stories from other young people.

Anxiety

add

Everyone feels anxious at times, but too much anxiety can get in the way of daily life. Anxiety can become a problem when it doesn’t go away, gets worse or makes it hard for you to do the things you want to do. Think you might be feeling more anxious? You can learn more about anxiety and take a self-check to see if you might need a little more support.

Anxiety Basics

Tips to Manage Anxiety

Anxiety Self-Check

Social Anxiety Self-Check

Stress

add

Everyone can experience stress from time to time, but continuing to feel stressed can get in the way of daily life. Check out some online resources to learn more about what leads to stress, how to manage and prevent it from affecting your mental and physical well-being.

Stress Basics

Tips to Manage Stress

Stress Self-Check

Depression

add

Problems, disappointments, and losses can affect anyone’s mood. Most often these feelings are temporary. But, when low mood goes on for more than a few weeks and other symptoms appear (having no energy, wanting to be alone) this could be a sign of depression. Check out some online resources on depression or take a self-check to see if you might need some extra support.

Depression Basics

Managing your Mood

Mood Self-Check

Peer Support

add

Peer support is 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.

Mood Disorders Association Peer Support Groups people

add

A Mood Disorder Association of BC (MDABC) peer-led support group is a safe place to share your story, your struggles and accomplishments, and to listen to others as they share similar concerns. At a MDABC support group you can get a sense of belonging, informal education about your mental health challenges, and the support of others who have 'been there'. Support groups are facilitated by trained volunteers with lived experience of mental health concerns.

Please Note: Support groups are not intended to provide counselling/therapy.​

MDABC has peer-led support groups for people ages 18 and older in the lower mainland, interior and Vancouver Island. For more information and locations see the MDA Peer Support Group page.

Programs

add

If you are interested in a more structured approach, there are programs out there that can provide step-by-step approaches to dealing with certain challenges.

Bounceback Programs Vary ONLINE
Program aimed toward individuals 13 or older, have mild to moderate depression, or are struggling with stress or anxiety.

add

BounceBack® is aimed toward individuals who are 13 or older, have mild to moderate depression, or are struggling with stress or anxiety. It’s free, confidential, and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. There are three ways you can access BounceBack:

  1. The BounceBack® Coaching Program, who will help you learn skills to improve your mental health through phone sessions.
  2. The online program to learn at your own pace with the tools to get you where you want to go.
  3. BounceBack Today Videos provide you with practical tips for managing your mood, sleeping better, building confidence, increasing activity, problem solving and healthy living. No referral required.

Programs – YMCA

add

YMCA’s across BC offer free mental wellness programs to young people ages 13-30. Click your area to find out what groups are offered, where they are offered and when they are offered at:

Apps & Tools (Topic Specific)

add

If you are looking for ways to manage and prevent challenges on your own, we have selected topic specific Apps and Tools to help you.

Sleep Cycle tracks and analyzes your sleep, waking you up at the most perfect time, feeling rested!

Learn More open_in_new

Mix different sounds and create your perfect sound environment to work and relax. Noisli provides background sounds that help to mask annoying noises in order to keep you sane, improve your focus and boost your productivity.

Learn More open_in_new

Feeling Good uses relaxation, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and resilience building techniques from sport to help improve positive feelings, self-esteem and self-confidence.

Learn More open_in_new

Breathr provides easy and fun ways to practice mindfulness along with interesting facts about the benefits of mindfulness.

Learn More open_in_new

SAM is an app to help you understand and manage your anxiety including tools to help you monitor anxious feelings, practice physical and mental relaxation and build your own toolkit of resources to draw on as needed.

Learn More open_in_new

What's Up? can help you cope with anxiety, stress and feelings of depression. It has interactive games, forums, thought tracking diary and helpful techniques to mange your feelings.

Learn More open_in_new

1 Giant Mind app is for anyone who wants to feel less stressed, more calm and present and experience greater health and well-being. Learn to meditate in 12 easy steps and begin to experience the benefits right away. No previous experience with meditation is needed.

Learn More open_in_new

This toolkit was created for youth to help you understand what things tend to cause you stress, what stress looks like for you, and what tools you can try to help you feel better.

Learn More open_in_new

Anyone can use the Find a Counsellor tool to get support for a variety of mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and more. s. Simply put your keyword into our search system to find a clinical counsellor.

Learn More open_in_new

This wellness module offers activities that can help you learn how to think about common stressful situations in a healthy and balanced way.

Learn More open_in_new

The next time you find yourself tossing and turning, try one of these yoga poses that top yoga teachers around the world practice to help them start snoozing.

Learn More open_in_new

It’s true that most experts recommend keeping your phone and other devices far from where you dream; but listening to effective, sleep-inducing podcasts might be one exception to try if you're really struggling to fall sleep. Whether you’re looking for peaceful meditations, ambient noise, or mellow bedtime stories, here’s a running list of soothing podcasts created specifically to calm you down, bore you senseless, and lose you mid-episode as you drift off to sleep.

Learn More open_in_new

Explore strategies to help you take care of mental health and use substances in healthier ways, find the information you need to manage mental health and substance use problems, and learn how you can support a loved one.

Learn More open_in_new

Guided meditations by Dr. Dzung Vo which you can listen to on his website or download to listen to later.

Learn More open_in_new

This sleep diary can help you track your sleeping habits for up to 2 weeks and figure out what you can do to sleep better.

Learn More open_in_new

Bounce Back® is a free program for individuals 15 and older experiencing mild to moderate depression or anxiety. Resources include videos, coaching by phone, video-conference or text, and an online self-help program.

Learn More open_in_new

Students Against Depression includes tools to help with making small first steps, creating healthy daily routines, changing thinking habits and building skills to help you live well and tackle feelings of depression and low mood.

Learn More open_in_new

A self-care guide on how to make changes to your thinking and actions that can help in dealing with depression.

Learn More open_in_new

Dealing with Depression Online is an interactive resource that can help you understand and deal with low mood and depression. A step-by-step approach can help you learn how to apply realistic thinking, problem solving, and goal setting to your daily life.

Learn More open_in_new

This Social Anxiety Guide can help you to recognize signs of social anxiety, understand what causes it, and can help find ways to overcome thoughts, feelings and behaviours associated with social anxiety.

Learn More open_in_new

Small steps to take care of yourself and help you get through the day.

Learn More open_in_new

Interactive online game to help you cope in different situations where you might experience anxiety.

Learn More open_in_new

Worry Rockets is an online game to help "launch" your worries away.

Learn More open_in_new

Tips for Talking with Someone

It can be helpful to talk with someone about what’s going on for you.

Learn More

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Reaching out for help or trying something new can be difficult. Be patient with yourself.  Although things don’t always work out at first, trying something new is a brave first step and something to be proud of.
You are not alone!

 

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