Maintaining your mental health during a crisis, whether it’s a global pandemic or a more local challenge, is key to surviving and thriving once the panic has passed. The Canadian Mental Health Association offers a Mental Health Check-In service to help you assess where you are and what help you might need during these difficult times.

The Ending Violence Association of B.C. provides victim service, violence counselling, and multicultural outreach programs, as well as centres for sexual/gender-based violence. The site offers links to essential anti-violence programs, sorted by region so you can find a service near you.

Additional services include:

• The B.C. Society of Transition Houses – Support to transition houses, second- and third-stage houses, safe homes, and PEACE and Violence is Preventable programs.
• B.C. Housing – Search for safe homes and transition houses in B.C. for people fleeing violence at home.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – Safety plans, self-care, and help for people in abusive situations in Canada.
• HeretoHelp – Support and assistance to improve mental health, manage mental health, and use substances in healthier ways.
• BounceBack – A free online, video, or phone-based program that offers coaching and skill-building resources.

Here2Talk is a newly announced program from the B.C. government, with online resources and professional counsellors available to help with a wide range of current concerns, like anxiety, abuse, balance, stress, and more. All calls, chats, and conversations are strictly confidential and accessible via the website, phone, or smartphone app. No issue is too big or too small to discuss.