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Mental well-being during COVID-19

Find links and resources to help with mental well-being during COVID-19.
Last updated: December 15, 2021

  • With so much happening and so much uncertainty in daily life, it’s normal to feel worried and overwhelmed. We all continue to navigate disrupted routines and changes during this difficult time.
  • It’s important to look after your mental health and well-being during COVID-19. Don’t wait to reach out.
  • Find tips and resources below to help you and your family.

Information on this page

  • Support services for mental health
    • Children, youth and parents   
    • Post-secondary students
    • Health care workers
    • B.C. First Nations' individuals and communities
  • General tips for mental well-being during COVID-19
  • Crisis support and intervention

Support services

Support services for mental health

The change and uncertainty due to COVID-19 can have a big impact on our mental health. Taking care of ourselves is especially important during this difficult time, when stress might be higher than usual. Help is available. Find information below about who you can contact for support during COVID-19.

  • Wellbeing is a website to help people navigate and connect with mental health and substance use information and supports. The website provides information for children or youth, adults, parent or caregivers, seniors, Indigenous persons, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, people who use drugs, service providers and post-secondary students.
    Learn more at wellbeing.gov.bc.ca. 

  • There are many supports available in B.C. for anxiety and depression. Services are available over the phone, in-person, and online.
  • Free or low-cost counselling is available virtually, such as through Wellness Together Canada. Courses and programs to support mental well-being are also available online. 

  • Substance use services are available. Call 1-800-663-1441 (toll free in BC) for substance use resources and referrals.

  • The Canadian Mental Health Association has COVID-19 specific mental health information and supports
    • They offer a free self-assessment that helps you reflect on your overall well-being. It helps to find the resources most useful to you.
    • Provides free programs such as BounceBack®, designed to help manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry.

Children, youth and parents/caregivers

How your child(ren) responds to stressful events will depend on:
  • their age
  • personality
  • level of development,
  • how closely the event touches them in terms of people they may know and love.
You can positively support your child's mental health by:
  • correcting misinformation that they may have heard
  • limiting how often they watch or hear the news, if appropriate
  • creating a flexible but consistent daily routine with your child's input
  • listening to your child's concerns, then acknowledging and validating their thoughts and feelings
  • explaining health and safety measures and reassuring your child that they're in place to keep us safe
  • helping your child stay virtually connected with their friends, neighbours and extended family members.
Mental health services and supports for children and youth

  • Foundry BC offers in-person and virtual support for youth including peer support, mental well-being programs and groups. They have recently introduced virtual drop-in counselling.

  • Child & Youth Mental Health (CYMH): Mental health assessment and treatment services (ages 18 and younger), including for anxiety and low mood.

  • Kids Help Phone offers COVID-19 specific mental health supports for young people. They also have 24/7 confidential support lines (call 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868). 
Mental health resources for families and caregivers:

Post-secondary students

Here2Talk is a 24/7 mental-health counselling and referral service for post-secondary students.
  • Students can engage in chat sessions with a trained counsellor. Download the Here2Talk app or visit here2talk.ca
  • They can also speak to a counsellor by phone, toll-free at 1-877-857-3397 or direct at 604-642-5212.
The YMCA has mental health programs and supports.
  • Y Mind Youth: a free mental wellness program for youth (ages 18-30) experiencing anxiety. 
  • Y Well: an online video series of self-care tools to keep your mind healthy and strong during COVID-19. 

Health care workers

  • Care for caregivers: Information and workshops to support healthcare worker mental health.
  • Care to Speak: Peer support for BC healthcare workers. Available in online chat or phone (call 1-866-802-7337)
  • The Mobile Response Team: Support the mental well-being of frontline healthcare workers. Available 24/7. Call 1-888-686-3022 (a 24/7 phone line for healthcare workers) or e-mail MRT@phsa.ca.

B.C. First Nations’ individuals and communities 

First Nations Health Authority has resources for Indigenous mental health services and supports. 



General tips

General tips for mental well-being and COVID-19


Our partners have tips to help with mental well-being during COVID-19. Find links below.

Province of B.C.
HealthLink BC
Anxiety Canada
Mental Health Commission of Canada
  • COVID-19 Resources: Infographics, tips, webinars, and other resources to support mental well-being 
BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre 
Foundry BC
Crisis support

Crisis Support and Intervention 

Reach out if you or someone you know needs immediate mental health support. Crisis support and intervention available across BC: 
  • Call 911 for emergencies or if someone’s life is in danger 

  • BC Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) 
    • Connects caller with available crisis lines across BC
    • Available 24/7 and in several languages 

  • BC Mental Health Line: 310-6789 (no area code)
    • General information, resources, and support for mental health
    • Available 24/7 and in several languages 

  • Crisis Services Canada: call 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
    • Canada-wide crisis intervention 
    • Available in French and English 
    • Calling available 24/7, texting available 1pm-9pm Pacific time
    • More information about regional crisis lines and mental health supports

  • Crisis Centre Chat
    • Online crisis services for adults. Covers suicide, stress, work, relationship conflicts, parenting, and other family issues.
    • Available noon to 1 a.m. daily

  • KUU-US Crisis Response Service: 1-800-588-8717
    • Culturally-aware support for Indigenous peoples in BC

  • Seniors Distress Line: 604-872-1234 
    • General mental health information, emotional support, and crisis intervention. As well as topics more specific to seniors such as retirement, loss of a loved one, or physical health issues.

  • Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service: 1-800-663-1441 

  • Kids Help Phone: call 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868
    • Confidential 24/7 support lines for youth (up to age 24)

  • Youth Space: Chat or text 778-783-0177 
    • Available daily 6 p.m. to midnight PST
    • For youth (up to age 30)


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