Finding Mental Health Support Across Canada – Affordable and Accessible Therapy
Introduction:
Having access to mental health care is so important, and we recognize that sometimes life circumstances like finances, socioeconomic status, location, etc. can create barriers. That said, when seeking out more accessible care, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start and can be overwhelming.
In this blog post, we have compiled a list of accessible and affordable mental health resources across Canada and broken it down by provinces and territories!
Resources by Province and Territories:
Alberta
Calgary Counselling Centre: offering sliding scale therapy online and in-person. (https://calgarycounselling.com/)
Alberta Health Services: online resources for all ages on a variety of mental health areas, a helpline, and walk-in counselling services. (https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/amh.aspx ; https://www.emotionstherapycalgary.ca/blog-therapy-calgary-emotions-clinic/is-therapy-free-in-alberta)
Grow The Life Therapy: providing pay what you can therapy services. (https://www.growthelife.com/services)
TCC’s Reduced-Barrier Sessions. Learn More about this program on our Instagram page:
British Columbia
First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day: providing BC First Nations video and phone-based primary and mental health care appointments at no cost. (https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/resource/first-nations-virtual-doctor-day/modal)
Health Link BC: a free non-emergency health information and advice platform available by phone, online, or the mobile app. (https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/resource/healthlink-bc-8-1-1/modal)
Foundry BC Pathfinder: an online tool to help you find personalized support options. (https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/resource/foundry-bc-pathfinder/modal)
Qmunity: a Resource Centre that provides a variety of programs and services for BC’s Queer, Trans, & Two-Spirit community. (https://qmunity.ca/)
Avery Therapy Centre: offers low-cost counseling services in Vancouver and provides a list of other low-cost options in the Vancouver area. https://www.averytherapy.com/low-cost-counselling-vancouver
Ontario
Affordable Therapy Ontario: offers a variety of counseling services for Ontario residents. (https://affordabletherapyontario.com/)
BounceBack Ontario: designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage mental health and learn strategies with support from a coach through video or phone. (https://bouncebackontario.ca/)
Distress and Crisis Ontario: provides a variety of resources and mental health support through its website. (https://www.dcontario.org/)
TAIBU Community Health Centre: offers the Balck community in the Greater Toronto Area access to primary care, health promotion, counselling, and disease prevention programs. (https://www.taibuchc.ca/en/)
Newfoundland & Labrador
DoorWays: a single session, walk-in counselling service for youth and adults. (https://mha.easternhealth.ca/doorways/)
Lifewise Mental Health Peer Services: offering a variety of services and support groups. (https://lifewisenl.ca/)
Bridge the Gapp: an online resource designed to support mental wellness in both adults and youth. (https://nl.bridgethegapp.ca/)
New Brunswick
Just Us Inc.: offering free and low-cost therapy services across the province. (https://www.justusinc.ca/)
Capital Region Mental Health & Addictions Association: providing support groups, wellness programs, and other services. (https://www.crmhaa.ca/)
Prince Edward Island
Changeways Core Program: program designed to provide you with information and strategies to help you with problems related to depression. (https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/changeways-core-program-for-dealing-with-low-mood-and-depression)
Farmers Talk: offering mental health support specifically to the farming community. (https://www.farmerstalk.ca/)
INSIGHT Program for Youth: a youth mental health day treatment program targeted toward youth aged 13-18, their families, and schools to reduce the day-to-day impact of mental health problems. (https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/insight-program-for-youth)
Quebec
Relief: an organization based in Quebec offering free sessions, workshops, and additional mental health resources. (https://relief.ca/relief-1/need-assistance)
Quebec Crisis Centre: offering mental health and crisis support to individuals. (https://centredecrise.com/)
Saskatchewan
SaskAgMatters Mental Health Network Inc.: offers free mental health support services for Saskatchewan agriculture producers, their family members and to agricultural workers. (https://www.saskagmatters.ca/)
Family Services Saskatoon: offering mental health services on a sliding scale. (https://familyservice.sk.ca/programs/)
Manitoba
Aurora Family Therapy Centre: offering low-cost mental health services in Winnipeg. (https://aurorafamilytherapy.com/)
Aulneau Renewal Centre’s Mental Health & Community Wellness Program: offers up to 24 free mental health sessions for children and youth under 18. (https://aulneau.com/counselling/mental-health-and-community-wellness-program/)
Nova Scotia
Good 2 Talk: for post-secondary students to access mental health services via talk or text. (https://good2talk.ca/novascotia/)
Access Wellness: free single-session supportive counselling service for individuals, couples or families. (https://go.lifeworks.com/access-wellness-nova-scotia-en)
Northwest Territories
The NTHSSA's Child and Youth Counselling (CYC) Program: provides mental health support to students, as well as school-aged youth and their families. (https://www.nthssa.ca/en/services/mental-health-resources-and-supports/programs-and-services#child-and-youth-counselling-program-)
The NWT Community Counselling Program (CCP): provides free access to mental health services in all of the regions. (https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/community-counselling-program-ccp).
LifeSpeak: a 24/7, total well-being platform where GNWT employees and their families can access expert information and mental health resources. (https://my.hr.gov.nt.ca/employees/employee-health-and-well-being/lifespeak)
The Strongest Families Institute (SFI): delivers distance services and programs to families primarily via telephone. (https://www.nthssa.ca/en/services/mental-health-resources-and-supports/programs-and-services#-a-href-https-strongestfamilies-com-strongest-families-institute-sfi-a-)
Nunavut
Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line: offers anonymous and confidential telephone support 24/7. (https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/health/mental-health-resources)
Healing by Talking Program: a free telephone counselling service. (https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/health/mental-health-resources)
Yukon
Dawson Health Centre: provides walk-in counselling services to adults, children and youth. (https://www.cityofdawson.ca/m/dawson-helping-tree/mental-wellness-substance-use-services-1)
Aurora Wellness Group: offers pay what you can services to children, youth, and adults. (https://www.aurorawellnessgroup.com/groups)
Additional Across Canada Resources:
Black Mental Health Alliance: aiming to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada. (https://blackhealthalliance.ca/)
Hope for Wellness Helpline: confidential counselling and crisis intervention to Indigenous peoples across Canada. (https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/)
Canadian Mental Health Association: a variety of mental health resources for all provinces and territories. (https://cmha.ca/)
Kids Help Phone: offers 24/7, free, confidential, and multilingual mental health support in Canada. (https://kidshelpphone.ca/)
Conclusion:
While this list does not compile all the options out there, we hope this is a good starting point for you to find the support you need and begin your mental health journey!
We are here to help! If you have questions about TCC’s reduced rate options or resources, feel free to send an email to info@thecognitivecorner.ca or give us a call at 587-355-3815.
