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Help Phone Lines

If you are in need of immediate help, call 9-1-1.

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Call if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide.

310 Mental Health Support

310-6789 (NO AREA CODE)

Call for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.

KUU-US Crisis Response Service

1-800-588-8717

Call for culturally-aware crisis support for Indigenous peoples in B.C.

Wellbeing

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  • Wellbeing
    • Healthy Living
      • Eating Well
      • Staying Active
      • Sleep Habits
      • Mindfulness
    • Emotional
      • Resilience
      • Self-Esteem
      • Loneliness
    • Social
      • Stigma
      • Family
    Image
    Woman outside looking off to the right

    What is Mindfulness?

    You can use mindfulness every day. It’s a tool you can use at any time. It helps you slow down, accept things as they are, cope well with problems, and simply appreciate what’s in your life right now.

    Learn more
  • Mental health
    • Anxiety
      • What to Do About Anxiety
      • Panic Attacks
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Depression
      • Symptoms of Depression
      • What to Do About Depression
    • Stress
      • Symptoms of Stress
      • COVID-19 Stress
      • Managing Stress
    • Seeking Help
      • Families Supporting Youth
      • Youth Supporting Themselves
    • Self-Harm
    • Suicide
    Image
    Man sits on couch, looking at smart phone

    Getting Help for Depression

    At first, you may find depression hard to notice in yourself or someone else. Learn what you can do if you are experiencing depression.

    Learn more
  • Substance use
    • Types of Substance Use
      • Alcohol
      • Opioids
      • Stimulants
    • Addiction
      • Addiction and Health
      • Treatment and Recovery
    • Harm Reduction
      • Overdose Prevention
      • Naloxone
      • Drug Checking
    Image
    Two men standing and laughing by a brick wall

    Drinking and Your Health

    Alcohol is a substance that can be enjoyed in moderation. However, the more you drink, the more your risk of certain diseases can go up. Find out how many drinks it takes to put you at risk, and how high or low those risks can be.

    Learn more
  • Browse supports

Main navigation

  • Wellbeing
    • Healthy Living
      • Eating Well
      • Staying Active
      • Sleep Habits
      • Mindfulness
    • Emotional
      • Resilience
      • Self-Esteem
      • Loneliness
    • Social
      • Stigma
      • Family
    Image
    Woman outside looking off to the right

    What is Mindfulness?

    You can use mindfulness every day. It’s a tool you can use at any time. It helps you slow down, accept things as they are, cope well with problems, and simply appreciate what’s in your life right now.

    Learn more
  • Mental health
    • Anxiety
      • What to Do About Anxiety
      • Panic Attacks
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Depression
      • Symptoms of Depression
      • What to Do About Depression
    • Stress
      • Symptoms of Stress
      • COVID-19 Stress
      • Managing Stress
    • Self-Harm
    • Suicide
    • Seeking Help
      • Families Supporting Youth
      • Youth Supporting Themselves
    Image
    Man sits on couch, looking at smart phone

    Getting Help for Depression

    At first, you may find depression hard to notice in yourself or someone else. Learn what you can do if you are experiencing depression.

    Learn more
  • Substance use
    • Types of Substance Use
      • Alcohol
      • Opioids
      • Stimulants
    • Addiction
      • Addiction and Health
      • Treatment and Recovery
    • Harm Reduction
      • Overdose Prevention
      • Naloxone
      • Drug Checking
    Image
    Two men standing and laughing by a brick wall

    Drinking and Your Health

    Alcohol is a substance that can be enjoyed in moderation. However, the more you drink, the more your risk of certain diseases can go up. Find out how many drinks it takes to put you at risk, and how high or low those risks can be.

    Learn more
  • Browse supports

Top Navigation

  • Our Partners
  • Contact
  • About Us

Help Phone Lines

If you are in need of immediate help, call 9-1-1.

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Call if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide.

310 Mental Health Support

310-6789 (NO AREA CODE)

Call for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.

KUU-US Crisis Response Service

1-800-588-8717

Call for culturally-aware crisis support for Indigenous peoples in B.C.

Wellbeing

Staying Active

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  3. Healthy Living
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Wellbeing

  • Healthy Living
    • Eating Well
    • Staying Active
    • Sleep Habits
    • Mindfulness
  • Emotional
    • Resilience
    • Self-Esteem
    • Loneliness
  • Social
    • Stigma
    • Family

No matter what stage you are at in life, staying active is an essential part of your physical and mental health. Living an active lifestyle has benefits for all areas of your wellbeing.

Being active can allow you to sleep more soundly, deal with stress more easily, and handle day-to-day activities more comfortably. Physical activity can boost energy levels, reduces blood pressure, helps to maintain a healthy weight, and can help with depression and anxiety.

Maintaining an active lifestyle looks different for everyone. There are many ways you can add physical activity to your lifestyle, no matter your age, activity level, or ability. Taking small, reasonable steps each day can help you get started, such as choosing fun ways to stay active that you enjoy.

This can include things like walking with a friend, connecting in nature with others, or exploring your neighbourhood. If you like the activity you’ve chosen, you may be more likely to stay motivated. Find more ways to stay interested in being active.

Learn some tips for maintaining physical activity in your life, if you find staying active to be a challenge.

Did you know you can talk to a qualified exercise professional for free in B.C.? If you have questions about physical activity or exercise, call 8-1-1 (or 7-1-1 for the deaf and heard of hearing) to learn more.

Resources

Showing 4 Resources

HealthLink BC (8-1-1)

Free, reliable non-emergency health information and advice available by phone (8-1-1), online, or mobile app.

Addiction and recovery
Adult
Alcohol
Anxiety
Child or youth
Counselling
Culturally safe care
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image

HealthLink BC (8-1-1)

Contact

8-1-1
Email
Website

About

Free, reliable non-emergency health information and advice available by phone, online, or mobile app.

Description

Get the health information you need to make decisions for yourself and those you care for. Information is available anywhere in B.C., any time of the day or night, every day of the year, online or by phone.

Visit HealthLinkBC or call 8-1-1 to speak with a health service navigator, who can also connect you with a:

  • Registered nurse any time, every day of the year
  • Registered dietitian from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
  • Qualified exercise professional from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
  • Pharmacist from 5 pm to 9 am every day of the year

Translation services are available in more than 130 languages. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired, you can call 8-1-1 using Video Relay Services (VRS) or Teletypewriter (TTY) – learn more. 

Addiction and recovery
Adult
Alcohol
Anxiety
Child or youth
Counselling
Culturally safe care
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
First Nations person
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
Help navigating services
In crisis
In-person services
Indigenous person
Information and tools
Interior Health
Inuit person
Island Health
LGBTQ2S+ person
Mental health care
Mental health intake
Métis person
Northern Health
Parent or caregiver
Peer support
Person who uses drugs
Post-secondary student
Relationship or family violence
Senior
Service provider
Stress
Support groups
Treatment services
Understanding mental health
Understanding wellness
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Wellness programs
Find support
Learn More

Mental Health Check-in

This free, anonymous self-assessment tool helps you understand how you are feeling and reflect on your wellbeing.

Adult
Alcohol
Anxiety
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Information and tools
Interior Health

Mental Health Check-in

Contact

1-604-688-3234
Email
Website

About

This free, anonymous self-assessment tool helps you understand how you are feeling and reflect on your mental, physical and social well-being.

Description

In a dozen questions, the Mental Health Check-in will ask you about sleep, eating, stress, mood, substance use, social support, and thoughts of harming yourself. It is anonymous and there is no right or wrong answer.

It is not a clinical test; if you think you might have a mental illness, talk with a mental health professional. If you need help finding a mental health professional, call 8-1-1.

The Mental Health Check-in is available in English, French and Traditional Chinese. It is run by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). CMHA is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. Their programs and resources promote mental wellbeing for all, as well as support the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.

Adult
Alcohol
Anxiety
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Mental health care
Northern Health
Stress
Understanding mental health
Understanding wellness
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Wellness programs
Learn more
Learn More

First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day

Free access to primary and mental health care closer to home for First Nations people who have limited or no access to doctors. 

Addiction and recovery
Alcohol
Anxiety
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
First Nations person
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Indigenous person

First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day

Contact

1-855-344-3800
Website
Sun: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Mon: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Tue: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Wed: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Thu: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Fri: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Sat: 8:30 am-4:30 pm

About

Free video and phone-based appointments that help members of BC First Nations access primary and mental health care closer to home.

Description

Provided through the First Nations Health Authority, this program is for First Nations people who have limited or no access to their own doctors. 

All First Nations people who live in B.C. are eligible for this service – and so are their family members, even if those family members are non-status. There are no age limits.

The program includes doctors of Indigenous ancestry, and all doctors are trained to follow the principles and practices of cultural safety and humility. 

Addiction and recovery
Alcohol
Anxiety
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
First Nations person
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Indigenous person
Information and tools
Interior Health
Inuit person
Island Health
Mental health care
Mental health intake
Métis person
Northern Health
Relationship or family violence
Stress
Understanding mental health
Understanding wellness
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Learn more
Learn More

bc211

A free phone, text, and online search service that helps you find community, government and social services in your area.

Addiction and recovery
Adult
Alcohol
Anxiety
Child or youth
Counselling
Culturally safe care
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image

bc211

Contact

2-1-1
Send text
Email
Website

About

bc211 is a free, confidential information service that helps you find community, government and social services in B.C.

Description

Search online for programs and services that cover everything from mental health services and financial assistance to food banks and emergency shelters.

Phone: bc211 provides support by phone in over 150 languages across B.C, available 24 hours, seven day a week. Access for the deaf or hard of hearing community available at 1-604 875-0885.

Text: Text the name of your city to 2-1-1 in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Squamish-Lillooet, Sunshine Coast Regional Districts, Vancouver Island, or the Gulf Islands to chat with an Information & Referral Specialist, seven days a week between 8am to 11pm.

Chat: Available from anywhere in B.C. through web chat between 8am to 11pm, seven days a week.

bc211 is provided by 211 British Columbia Services Society.

Addiction and recovery
Adult
Alcohol
Anxiety
Child or youth
Counselling
Culturally safe care
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
Help navigating services
In crisis
In-person services
Indigenous person
Information and tools
Interior Health
Inuit person
Island Health
LGBTQ2S+ person
Mental health care
Mental health intake
Métis person
Newcomer
Northern Health
Parent or caregiver
Peer support
Person who uses drugs
Person with a disability
Post-secondary student
Relationship or family violence
Senior
Service provider
Stress
Support groups
Treatment services
Understanding mental health
Understanding wellness
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Wellness programs
Learn more
Learn More

Supports and Services

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Emergency Contact Information

Call 9-1-1 if you are in an emergency. For mental health support, call:

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Mental Health Support Line

310-6789 (no area code needed)

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Emergency Contacts

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Mental Health Support

310-6789