Organizations Supporting Mental Health and Substance Use in B.C.

Aboriginal

• First Nations Health Authority
• Metis Nation BC
• BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
• Health Canada First Nations and Inuit Health
• BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society

Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias

• Alzheimer Society of British Columbia 
  A non-profit organization that provides education and support to people with Alzheimer’s disease, and their families, physicians and health care providers.

Anxiety

• Anxiety Disorders Association of British Columbia (AnxietyBC)
  A non-profit organization formed to increase awareness of anxiety disorders, promote education of the general public, affected persons, and health care providers; and increase access to evidence-based resources and treatments.
• Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada
  A non-profit organization whose aim is to promote the prevention, treatment and management of anxiety disorders and to improve the lives of people who suffer from them.

Children and Youth

• Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups BC/Yukon Assembly
  Al-Anon, known as Alateen for younger members, is an international organization that offers self-help programs for families and friends of alcoholics, within a policy of anonymity.
• Child and Youth Mental Health – B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development
  The Ministry of Children and Family Development provides a wide range of community-based specialized mental health services to mentally ill children and their families.
• HeretoHelp
  HeretoHelp is a website of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information, groups working together to help people better prevent and manage mental health and substance use problems and live a healthier life.
• Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre
  A resource for children, youth and families related to mental health and substance use issues located at the BC Children’s Hospital site.
• Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children
  As part of Children’s and Women’s Health Centre, this provincial facility offers specialized services to children (birth to age 19) with disabilities, their families and communities throughout British Columbia.
• Family Smart
  In June 2000, the F.O.R.C.E. Society for Kids’ Mental Health (the FORCE) became a registered non-profit organization.
• Foundry
  Foundry is a province-wide network of integrated health and wellness services for young people ages 12-24 and their caregivers, available in-person at local Foundry centres and virtually through the Foundry BC App. 

Criminal Justice

• British Columbia's Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission (FPSC)
  FPSC is a multi-site health organization providing specialized hospital and community-based assessment, treatment and clinical case management services for adults with mental health disorders who are in conflict with the law.
• Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies
• John Howard Society of BC

Depression and Mood Disorders

• Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia
  Provide support and education to people with a mood disorder, their families and friends.
• Mood Disorders Society of Canada
  A non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life for people affected by depression, bipolar disorder and other related disorders.

Developmental Disabilities

• Asante Centre
  The site provides information and resources on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, autism spectrum disorder and other complex developmental needs, as well as details on the Asante Centre and its services.
• Autism Society of British Columbia
  A non-profit organization which aims to promote understanding, acceptance, and full community inclusion for people with autism in British Columbia. They provide referral, advocacy, information and support services.
• Community Living British Columbia
  This organization delivers support and services to people with developmental disabilities, children with special needs and their families in British Columbia.
• Family Support Institute
  A non-profit organization whose aim is to strengthen and support families faced with the extraordinary circumstances that come with having a family member who has a disability.
• Inclusion BC
  This organization delivers support and services to people with developmental disabilities, children with special needs and their families in British Columbia.

Disability

• Disability Alliance BC
  A provincial, cross-disability advocacy organization with a mandate to raise public and political awareness of issues that concern people with disabilities.
• Services for People with Disabilities
  The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance’s information for persons with disabilities, including employment strategies and disability assistance application procedures.
• CanAssist

Eating Disorders

• Academy for Eating Disorders
  The professional organization that promotes excellence in research, treatment and prevention of eating disorders.
• Kelty Eating Disorders information
• Looking Glass Foundation for Eating Disorders
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
• National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC)
  A non-profit organization which provides information and resources on eating disorders and weight preoccupation.
• Provincial Adult Tertiary Eating Disorders Program

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

• Asante Centre
  The site provides information and resources on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, autism spectrum disorder and other complex developmental needs, as well as details on the Asante Centre and its services.
• FASD Information Service
  This service provides links to support groups, prevention projects, resource centres and experts on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
• FASlink
  FASlink is a Canadian Fetal Alcohol Disorders Society which provides support, information, advocacy and a discussion forum.

Gambling

• B.C. Partnership for Responsible Gambling
  A partnership between the B.C. government, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, B.C.'s gaming service providers and local governments. The site provides useful information on responsible gambling and assistance for those seeking help for problem gambling.
• Canada’s Safety Council
  A national charitable organization dedicated to safety with a mission to reduce preventable deaths, injuries and economic loss in public and private places throughout Canada. The council considers gambling addiction a community safety and crime prevention issue.
• Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch – B.C. Ministry of Finance
  The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch regulates all gaming in British Columbia. The site includes information and support for problem gambling.

Health Authorities

• British Columbia Health Authorities
  B.C.’s health care services are managed and delivered the health authorities. This site will direct you to the health authority in your area.
• BC Non-Profit Housing Association

Housing

• BC Housing
  The provincial crown agency that develops, manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing options for those in greatest need.
• Assisted Living Registrar – B.C. Ministry of Health
  All assisted living residences are required to be registered with the Assisted Living Registrar.

Income and Employment Support

• Information for Persons with Disabilities regarding Income and Employment Supports and other services
  The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation makes a difference in the lives of British Columbians trying to overcome social and economic barriers. On this page, you'll find more information about income supports, services for people with disabilities and employment support services.
• BC Employment and Assistance Program: Information about BC Employment and Assistance.
• The Employment Program of BC launched on April 2, 2012 to help unemployed British Columbians find a job.
• Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment: Resources available for Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment

Legal Services

• Community Legal Assistance Society of BC
• Legal Aid BC provides information about legal aid

LGBTQ2S

• Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey Resources
• Prism Alcohol and Drug Services
  A Vancouver Coastal Health service, which provides counselling and groups for substance-use-affected lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gendered, queer and Two Spirit communities.
• QMUNITY
  QMUNITY is BC’s queer resource centre – the hub for the lesbian, gay, trans*, bi and queer community program, training and advocacy. Health related resources are available including mental health and substance use.

Mental Health and Substance Use Organizations

• BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information
  BC Partners is a group of seven leading provincial mental health and addictions non-profit agencies
• Canadian Mental Health Association – B.C. Division
  An organization concerned with promoting the mental health of British Columbians and supporting the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.
• Coast Mental Health
  Coast advocates, supports and promotes recovery of persons with mental illness
• The Mental Health Commission of Canada
  A non-profit organization created to focus national attention on mental health issues and to work to improve the health and social outcomes of people living with mental illness.
• Mental Health Consumer Advocacy Program
• MPA Society
  A community-based society that supports people facing the challenges of mental illness with social, vocational, recreation, advocacy and housing programs.
• Canadian Drug Policy Coalition is an independent civil society network of organizations and individuals working to improve Canada's drug policies.
• Community Action Initiative
  An organization that supports communities that identify and seek to address mental health and substance use concerns.

Professional Colleges and Associations

• B.C. Association of Social Workers
• A not-for-profit membership association that supports and promotes the profession of social work and advocates for social justice.
• B.C. College of Family Physicians
• B.C. College of Social Workers
  The regulatory body for the practice of social work in British Columbia.
• Doctors of BC
  A voluntary association of British Columbia’s medical doctors who works for the improvement of medical education, health care legislation, hospital and other health services.
• B.C. Psychiatric Association
• B.C. Psychogeriatric Association
• B.C. Psychological Association
  This membership association provides leadership for the advancement and promotion of the profession and science of psychology.
• Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists-British Columbia
  A provincial professional association committed to supporting its members in being recognized, valued and respected as vital partners in the promotion of health, independence and quality of life for British Columbians.
• BC Therapeutic Recreation Association
  Therapeutic recreation utilizes treatment, education and recreation to enable persons with physical, cognitive, emotional and social limitations to enhance a person’s quality of life.
• Canadian Medical Association
• College of Dietitians of British Columbia
• British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives
• College of Naturopathic Physicians of B.C. and Naturopathic Physicians Regulation under the Health Professions Act
• College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia
• College of Pharmacists of BC
• College of Physicians & Surgeons of British Columbia
  The mandate of the college is to protect the public through the regulation of medical practice by licensed medical practitioners.
• College of Psychologists of British Columbia
  The college’s role is to protect the public interest by regulating the practice of psychology and monitoring the practice of psychology practitioners.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Psychosis

• British Columbia Schizophrenia Society
  A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families, educating the public and advocating for better services for people with schizophrenia and other serious and persistent mental illness.
• Schizophrenia Society of Canada
  An organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education, support programs, public policy and research.
• Early Psychosis Advanced Practice
  This website was created with the intent of providing unified resource about Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) for the province of British Columbia:

Research Institutes

• Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
  A national agency that informs decisions, actions and the public debate on substance abuse issues.
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
  An Ontario public hospital providing direct patient care for people with mental health and addiction problems. The centre is also a research facility, an educational and training institute, and a community-based organization providing health promotion and prevention services.
• Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia
  A partnership between the University of Victoria and B.C.’s other four major universities, with a mission to create an internationally recognized centre dedicated to research and knowledge exchange on substance use, harm reduction and addiction.
• Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction
  A research centre within the faculty of health sciences at Simon Fraser University. Their mandate is to conduct research that can be applied to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of mental health and addiction services in British Columbia.
• Children’s Health Policy Centre
  An interdisciplinary research group in the faculty of health sciences at Simon Fraser University.
• Human Early Learning Partnership
  A collaborative, interdisciplinary research network based at UBC.
• McCreary Centre Society
  A non-government not-for-profit committed to improving the health of B.C. youth through research, education and community based projects.
• Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
  The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research supports a vibrant research community in B.C. that is recognized worldwide for innovative discoveries that improve health and save lives.

Self-Help and Support Organizations

• Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups BC/Yukon
  Al-Anon, known as Alateen for younger members, offers self-help programs for families and friends of alcoholics, within a policy of anonymity.
• Alcoholics Anonymous BC/Yukon
  Describes the program’s philosophy and provides contact information
• Cocaine Anonymous – British Columbia Area
  This website describes the Cocaine Anonymous program and philosophy, and provides contact information for local support groups.
• FASlink Fetal Alcohol Disorders Society
  FASlink is a national non-profit organization that provides support, information, advocacy and a discussion forum.
• LifeRing
  LifeRing support groups provide access for women and men to community-based mutual self-help support groups for those who self-identify with problematic substance use.
• MADD-BC
  Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is an organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime.
• Narcotics Anonymous (BC Region)
  The site describes the program and provides a list of meetings throughout British Columbia.
• Vancouver Area Network of Drugs Users (VANDU)
  A group of users and former users who work to improve the lives of people who use illicit drugs through user-based peer support and education.
• Kelty Resource Centre
  Online resources on child youth mental health and substance use

Tobacco

• Tobacco Control Program
  A provincially-funded program which provides prevention, cessation and enforcement resources to B.C. health and education professionals, school and community-based prevention workers, government and non-government agencies, health authorities and any organization working in tobacco prevention, cessation or control.
• Quit Now