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BCWSA Athlete Wellness Initiative – Mental Health Resources for Our Community
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massive-dev | December 22, 2020
Mental Health is a crucial piece of well-being especially for athletes and people with disabilities!
We wanted to share some great and easily accessible Mental Health and Wellness Services that are available to you from your home.
BC Wheelchair Sports created the Athlete Wellness Initiative in 2015 to support the unique mental health needs of athletes with a disability and break the stigma surrounding mental illness in the para-sport community. Other Athlete Wellness Initiatives have included seminars, resources, and mental health first aid training for staff and coaches. If there is a service that you would like to access that you think may be supported by our Athlete Wellness Initiative in the realms of mental health and wellness, please feel free to reach out to any of our BCWSA Program Staff.
The below resources are free and have been compiled through recommendations from Leanne Fielding (MA, CCC, MPC) who is an expert in the field of counseling, as well as information found on our network partner’s website – Spinal Cord Injury-BC. Should you have any questions regarding the below services, or other inquires relating to the Athlete Wellness Initiative, we encourage you to connect with your BC Wheelchair Sports staff.
Provincial-Wide Crisis Lines (for help by phone or chat anywhere in BC)
Provincial Suicide Hotline:
1 800 784-2433
Open 24/7 if you or someone you know is considering suicide.
310 Mental Health Support Line:
310-6789 (no area code)
Open 24/7 for non-emergency emotional support and advice.
Online Chat Support for Youth: (Noon to 1 am)
Online Chat Support for Adults: (Noon to 1 am)
Foundry
– A great online resource for youth with lots of information and helpful info with contact numbers as well.
– They now offer virtual drop-in counselling sessions, peer support check-ins and group offerings to young people ages 12-24 and their caregivers.
BC211
http://www.bc211.ca/help-lines/
– A free, confidential, multilingual service that links people to resources for help, where and when they need it
– Help is available to people anywhere in British Columbia, 24/7 by calling or texting 211.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
– Need help now? Call 310-6789
– Find a CMHA Branch in your community – https://cmha.bc.ca/about-cmha/cmha-locations/
Mental Health Services by Fraser Health
*Fraser Health Crisis Line: 604-951-8855 or toll free 1877-820-7444
Provides diagnostic assessment, short-term treatment and other support. No referral needed for an initial assessment. Call the mental health centre in the person’s community.
For a full list go to: tinyurl.com/fraserhealthMH
Surrey: 604 953-4900
Chilliwack: 604 702-4860
North Delta: 604 592-3700
New Westminster: 604 777-6800
Tri-Cities: 604 777-8400
Tsawwassen & Ladner: 604 948-7010
Mental Health Services by Interior Health
Intake, short term and crisis services do not require a referral.
More: http://tinyurl.com/InteriorMH
Kelowna: 250 469-7070
Vernon: 250 549-5737
Kamloops: 250 377-6500
Mental Health Services by Northern Health
Outpatient entry point to mental health services.
Brief assessments, short term supportive counselling and crisis intervention. No referral required.
http://tinyurl.com/NorthernHealthMH
Prince George: 250 565-2668
Quesnel: 250 983-6828
Fort St. John: 250 263-6080
Mental Health Services by Vancouver Coastal Health
*Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line: 604-872-3311
*Sunshine Coast/Sea to Sky: 1-866-661-3311
Intake and short term counselling services, no referral required for initial call.
Vancouver: 604 675-3700
Richmond: 604 244-5562
North Vancouver: 604 983-6020
Mental Health Services by Vancouver Island Health Authority
Provides screening, assessment, treatment recommendations and referrals to other services. No referral needed for initial call.
More numbers: https://www.islandhealth.ca/our-services/mental-health-substance-use-services
Victoria: 250 519-3485
Nanaimo and area: 250 739-5710
On behalf of BC Wheelchair Sports Association, we wish you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season this year. Stay well and we look forward to connecting with you all in the New Year!
