Life is full of unexpected events like losing a job, a loved one or a relationship. Those “grey days” can pile up, affecting our emotional and mental health, which ultimately affects all parts of our life if left unchecked.
Thankfully, we don’t have to weather the storm alone. There are a number of resources to help, in Calgary, Alberta, and across Canada. For Calgarians in crisis or in need of mental health and addiction support, these resources provide education, assessment, medical attention and other useful resources.
And remember, our experienced team is always here so you can find the best time and book your Free 15-minute phone consult if you’d like one.
If you would like to reach us right now by phone, simply click the button below:
Quick Links:
2) Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Calgary Region
3) Addiction and Mental Health Helplines
4) Urgent Mental Health in Urgent Care
7) Adult Addiction & Mental Health Services
8) Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse
1) Distress Centre
Website: https://www.distresscentre.com
Phone: 403-266-HELP (4357)
The Distress Centre is a 24-hour crisis line available in Calgary. They responded to more than 150,000 contacts in 2021 alone. This resource is useful if you need someone to talk to, or you’re searching for recommended resources when in a crisis situation. In their own words, this is what they do: “We do not define crisis. We do not judge. Anyone can call us day or night.”
The Distress Centre can be contacted by phone, email, text, or online chat during the day. Since most people are more comfortable writing things down than speaking out loud, which makes these options very useful for people of all personalities.
2) Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Calgary Region
Website: http://cmha.calgary.ab.ca
Phone: 403-297-1700
The CMHA is a non-profit organization that builds awareness about mental health and provides individuals dealing with mental health issues with advocacy, education, housing, counselling and a variety of programs.
Whether you or a family member are dealing with substance abuse, mental health challenges or even the loss of a loved one, the CMHA Calgary chapter can help with emotional support, life coaching and programming, as well as referrals to other community resources.
The Calgary CMHA is more than just a help line, as their downtown location has support groups, in-person sessions, and other useful offerings. This makes it great for people who prefer to connect face-to-face.
3) Addiction AND MENTAL HEALTH HelplineS
Addiction Helpline at: 1-866-332-2322
Mental Health Helpline at: 1-877-303-2642
The Addiction Helpline and Mental Health Helplines are available 24/7, for any Albertan suffering from addiction or in need of guidance or assistance with their current mental health. The helplines are confidential and provide support and referral to community services for individuals suffering from alcohol, drug and gambling issues, various mood disorders such as depression or anxiety, and more.
4) Urgent Mental Health in Urgent Care
Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre: 1213 – 4th Street SW
Crisis mental health assessment and support is available at the Sheldon M. Chumir urgent care centre in Calgary. It is open 24/7, every day of the year, with mental health assistance available at all hours as well.
5) Access Mental Health
Website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services/page11443.aspx
Phone: 403-943-1500
It can be difficult to navigate all the community resources available to help with mental health – that’s where Access Mental Health comes in. Its clinicians offer information, advice and referrals to Alberta Health Services programs. Access Mental Health is a non-urgent resource and is available during regular business hours.
Click on the website for a list of links, numbers, wellness toolkits, and other resources to help depending on your specific situation.
6) WELLNESS TOGETHER
Website: www.wellnesstogether.ca.
Wellness Together is a free, Canada-wide initiative created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, funded by the federal government and available 24/7. Collaborating with many other organizations, it is a wellness-focused, ongoing resource available to all Canadians wherever they may be.
More recently, they introduced PocketWell, a companion app that helps track your mood, complete emotional self-assessments, and reflect on your overall mood and well-being.
7) ADULT ADDICTION & MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Website: Inform Alberta Help Link
From urgent resources to interventions, relapse management, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment, every person’s mental health journey looks different and will require a unique approach. That’s why the comprehensive listings at Inform Alberta are so useful – you can choose what kind of service you are looking for and find a wide variety of mental health organizations in Calgary that can help.
8) CALGARY COMMUNITIES AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE
Website: www.calgarycasa.com.
For more than 25 years, the CCASA group has supported Calgarians and provided educational services to those affected by sexual abuse and sexual assault. Whether it happened in the distant past or it is a recent occurrence, they lead the people of Calgary to the right resources that can help them overcome the trauma. They are especially focused on the first week – 168 hours – after a sexual assault, with a dedicated team responding to such calls.
They also offer free educational training and workshops, helping people of all backgrounds and experience to better handle and prevent sexual violence.
9) JB MUSIC THERAPY
Everyone is different, and you may feel like none of these options are quite right for you. If that’s the case, you might be someone who benefits from a less clinical approach, like the sessions from JB Music Therapy.
Many people find music to be calming, soothing, or relaxing in times of great stress. In fact, the science of music and its connection to emotion, happiness, pain reduction, and other mental matters is well-documented. The field of music therapy uses this idea – even for non-musicians – to create a communication bridge, where the music acts as a medium for processing emotional experiences like trauma and grief.
If you find the idea of one-on-one, deep conversations challenging, this may be an option for you. Find out more at www.jbmusictherapy.com.
10) Help in tough times
Website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/page16759.aspx
More a listing of resources than a helpline in itself, the Help in Tough Times page is an excellent place to get links, phone numbers, and guidance for a wide variety of stressful situations.
Many of the links listed above are on this page, as well as many others to cover things like disaster assistance, employment loss, residential school survivor support, finding shelter, and much more.
11) Togetherall
Website: https://togetherall.com/en-ca/
Togetherall is a safe online community for anonymous support. It is available not only in Calgary, but across Canada as well, with millions of people gaining free access through their schools and workplaces.
It’s monitored 24/7 by licensed clinicians, ensuring a safe and supportive environment that can reach major demographics as well as more marginalized groups that may not be comfortable reaching out through more traditional avenues.
12) Kids Help Phone
Website: https://kidshelpphone.ca/
Kids Help Phone is a 24/7 mental health service, offering confidential support in both English and French to youth across Canada. It’s also free, removing a barrier for people who may worry about affordability.
They primarily offer mental health tips and information, crisis support, and professional counselling for youth in distress. They also provide support forums, a directory of auxiliary services from other organizations, and general wellness support.
13) Single Session Program
Single session therapy (SST) harnesses the profound potential of focused, intensive intervention within a single therapeutic encounter. This approach challenges traditional notions of prolonged therapy by prioritizing immediate, impactful interventions. The power of SST lies in its ability to swiftly address specific issues, offering clients rapid relief and clarity. By condensing the therapeutic process into one session, SST capitalizes on the momentum and urgency inherent in the client’s current concerns.
Furthermore, SST often utilizes structured techniques such as goal-setting, cognitive- behavioural strategies, and solution-focused approaches to maximize efficiency. It empowers clients to confront challenges head-on, fostering a sense of agency and accomplishment in a short timeframe. Additionally, SST can be particularly beneficial for those with time constraints, financial limitations, or a preference for brief, targeted interventions.
While not suitable for every psychological issue, the power of SST lies in its capacity to provide immediate support, facilitate rapid insight, and initiate positive change, making it a valuable option in modern therapeutic practice.
Your Counselling is proud to offer a Single Session Program to offer this unique support to those seeking support in Calgary, Alberta.
Single-session counselling is a one-time, focused therapy session designed to address immediate concerns or issues. It aims to provide quick support and actionable strategies in a single intervention.
This program is ideal for individuals seeking immediate support for specific issues, such as coping with stress, planning, or dealing with a particular life event. It’s also suitable for those who are not ready or do not need ongoing therapy.
Each session lasts 50 minutes.
During the session, you’ll discuss your primary concern with a Registered Therapist. The therapist will help you clarify your goals, explore potential solutions, and develop a plan of action. The goal is to leave the session with practical, tangible strategies to address your issue.
Yes, while the focus is on providing effective support in a single session, you can book an additional session if you feel you need more assistance. The therapist can also recommend other resources or ongoing therapy if appropriate.
You can schedule an appointment by contacting our office directly or by using our online booking system. Our staff will guide you through the process and help you find the next available appointment.
Monday through Friday at 5:30 and 6:30 pm. Appointments are via Telephone on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and are available in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Yes, confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of our counselling services. Information shared during your session is kept private, and we adhere to strict professional and ethical guidelines to protect your privacy.
The cost of single-session counselling is $160 for a 50-minute session.
It’s best to check with your insurance company to understand your benefits and any out-of-pocket costs you might incur. We offer direct billing to Alberta Blue Cross and Greenshield.
Mental Health Counselling in Calgary
If you are struggling with your mental health in Calgary and are seeking more long-term support, certain types of counselling may be a good option to consider. At Your Counselling, we provide support to families, individuals and children who are experiencing distress, anxiety, depression, addiction and anger. Call us today for a free consultation and together we can develop a treatment plan that will help your Calgary mental health and you get back to living a happy, healthy and fulfilling life!