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If you are concerned about the safety of yourself or others, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

BC211 (Call or text 211): 24/7 free referrals to community, government, and social services, including help with food, shelter, mental health, addictions, legal aid, finances, and more.

BC Mental Health Support Line Call 310-6789 (no area code needed): Provides free, confidential, and anonymous support for those experiencing a mental health crisis, offering crisis intervention and community resource information.

Crisis Services and Hotlines: If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911. Information compiled and revised by willowtreecounselling.ca as a public service only.

Fraser Health Crisis Line (Call 1-800-784-2433): Provides immediate, free, and confidential support, crisis intervention, and community resource information, responding to calls throughout British Columbia.

Kids Help Phone (Call 1-800-668-6868): Provides online and phone support for children and youth experiencing mental health challenges. Help is also available by messaging online or by texting 686868 (for youth) or 741741 (for adults).

The Crisis Centre of BC provides opportunities for connection where people are valued and supported to address crisis and suicide. The Crisis Centre of BC provides the following supports:

• 1-800-SUICIDE Hotline (Call 1-800-784-2433): Provides a confidential, 24-hour toll-free crisis line for people who are feeling suicidal, are concerned for someone who might be suicidal, or for emotional support.

• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline (Call or Text): Offers 24/7 support for individuals with thoughts of suicide, providing a safe space to talk and connect with resources.

Free or low-cost Counselling Options in BC: The Ministry of Health manages a website titled Help Starts here. This site lists thousands of publically funded or not-for-profit services including many for mental health and substance use supports.

Group Support in Metro Vancouver: Organizations offering Support Groups, Group Therapy and/or Mental Health Education Groups. Groups may be open, closed, ongoing and time-limited. Online, In-Person or not specified. Some groups will be free, others will have a cost involved. Contact organization for specific details.

Healing in Colour is a directory of BIPOC Therapists who serves clients across Canada who are committed to anti-oppressive values.

Psychology Today: lists a comprehensive directory of therapists, counselors, and other mental health professionals that allows users to find and connect with qualified individuals. 

Sliding Scale Counselling List: A list of private counsellors and counselling clinics offering sliding-scale counselling in British Columbia. Updated quarterly.

Stopping the Violence Counselling Program (STV): provides support and counselling for women aged 19 and older who are survivors of violence or abuse. STV is offered by multiple agencies across Burnaby including:

• Burnaby Family Life

• Dixon Transition Society

• MOSAIC (Multi-lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities)

The BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC): is the largest association of clinical counsellors in BC with over 7000 Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs). The BCACC is a trusted source for mental health professionals, resources and education.

Vancouver Low Cost Counselling List: A resource list of lower-cost, sliding-scale and free counselling services in Metro Vancouver, primarily the city of Vancouver, provided by public organizations.

Burnaby RCMP ‘s Victim Services Unit: provides support, practical assistance, information and resources to anyone who has been impacted by crime or trauma.

Family Services of Greater Vancouver: Provides community-based victim services to adults age 18 and over living in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminister and Richmond. Victim Support Workers are compassionate and trauma-informed people who are focused on being there for you, every step of the way. This support is FREE.

MOSAIC (Multi-lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities): provides multicultural Victim Services including emotional support, information about your rights, and referrals for those living in Vancouver and Burnaby. You do not need to report a crime to the police to receive help. This program serves the specific needs of multicultural and immigrant peoples.

The Department of Justice, Policy Centre for Victim Issues (PCVI): implements the Federal Victim Strategy the objective of which is to give victims of crime a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. PCVI develops policy and criminal law reform, administers the Victims Fund, and broadly shares information about issues of importance to victims of crime.

The National Office for Victims (NOV): is a central resource working to improve victims' experience with the federal corrections and conditional release system

The Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime: An institution that operates independently and at arm’s length from the Government of Canada, working to provide a voice for victims of crime, at the federal level, and to ensure that the commitments to respect victims and survivors are met and that their rights are upheld.

VictimLinkBC: is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual service available across B.C. and the Yukon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or sending an email to 211-VictimLinkBC@uwbc.ca. It provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking exploited for labour or sexual services.

Burnaby Family Life: Offers various drop-in family resource programs where children learn through play while parents and caregivers can meet other families and learn about additional community resources. 

Burnaby Infant Development Program: works together with community partners and professionals to support parents in learning ways to encourage child development, meet other parents, discuss parenting and child development issues and connect with other community resources and activities.

Burnaby Neighbourhood House: offers extensive community support, including newcomer settlement, family programs (preschool, afterschool, drop-ins), youth initiatives, and seniors' services (outreach, meals). They provide essential services like food security programs, income tax help, ESL classes, adult literacy, and digital literacy, all designed to foster connection, integration, and overall community well-being through programs, information, and resource referrals.

Burnaby Schools StrongStart BC Early Learning Centres:Free drop-in program for parents and caregivers with children aged 0-6 located within thirteen elementary schools in Burnaby. Children new to Burnaby Schools required to do one-time on-line registration anytime during the school year.

Cameray Child & Family Services: Cameray supports children, youth, and families living in Burnaby and New Westminster through counselling, education, outreach and advocacy. Various free drop-in group programs and events as part of the Early Years Parent Support Program.

East Burnaby Family Place Society: offers free drop-in programs for parents, caregivers, and young children (newborn to school-aged) with play-based activities, parenting support, community connection, and resources like toy lending, clothing exchange, and referrals, fostering a safe, supportive environment for early learning and socialization.

Information Children is a not for profit organization and a registered charity that offers information, guidance and support to parents and others about the care and well-being of children and families.

Parent Support Service Society of BC: supports the well-being of all families and children by empowering those in a parenting role through community connections, research, education, and advocacy. They also provide workshops, support circles and support phone lines.

The BC Council for Families: supports families, serves professionals and strengthens communities through education, collaboration, and awareness. They are also the Provincial Coordinator of the Nobody’s Perfect Parenting program in BC.

Esther Perel: a central resource for relational intelligence, providing tools and insights for managing the complexities of contemporary relationships in personal and professional life. This site focuses on integrating security and desire, promoting individual independence within relationships, and enhancing communication.

The Gottman Institute: is a research-based organization founded by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, dedicated to improving relationships (marriages, families, etc.) by applying decades of scientific study into practical tools and therapies, primarily through the Gottman Method, which teaches skills like emotional connection, conflict management, and building trust

The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT): a great resource to better understand and learn about emotion focused therapy including workshops, programs, certified professionals and recommended readings.

Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver/Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland: provides free, supportive mentoring programs, matching adult volunteers with youth (ages 7-14) for one-on-one friendships, in-school activities, or group events to build confidence, resilience, and life skills, while also funding programs through community donations of gently used clothing and household goods. They aim to counter adversities like isolation or low self-esteem by fostering positive relationships that help kids reach their full potential, with professionally trained staff supporting every match.

KidStart: a core prevention program that pairs at-risk children and youth with dedicated, trained volunteer mentors for one-on-one support, building resilience, confidence, and positive community connections through shared activities, aiming to help them overcome challenges and make positive life choices.

P.E.A.C.E Program for Children & Youth: Burnaby Family Life offers individual and group programs for children and youth who have witnessed violence.

BCIT Indigenous Resources & Studies Guide: This guide is intended to be a starting point for students, teachers, researchers, and anyone else interested in Indigenous knowledge and history. This guide serves to provide access to resources on Indigenous history, cultures, and communities in Canada. 

First Nations Health Authority (FNHA): plans, funds, and delivers health programs for BC First Nations, focusing on culturally safe, community-based care like mental wellness, chronic disease, and traditional healing, aiming to close health gaps and transform the system with First Nations leadership, supporting self-determination through initiatives like health benefits, primary care, and substance use services.

Hope for Wellness Helpline: offers immediate, 24/7 mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is designed to be culturally competent and accessible via phone or online chat, providing support for emotional distress, trauma, or when in need of someone to talk to.

Indigenous History in Burnaby Resource Guide: Burnaby Village Museum in consultation with several Local First Nations have developed a 27-page illustrated educational guide. This guide provides an overview of hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh history in Burnaby from the time of the ancestors to the present day.

KUU-US Crisis Line Society: provides 24/7, culturally safe, Indigenous-specific crisis intervention, support, and prevention services across British Columbia. Founded by and for First Nations, their services are designed with an understanding of Indigenous history, trauma, and residential school experiences. Call 1-800-588-8717. Chat and text support available 7 days a week, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 am: 778-601-8009.  

Lumara Society: is a Canadian charity providing grief and bereavement support, along with services for families facing serious illness, offering programs like Circles of Strength support groups, counselling, and Camp Kerry retreats for children, youth, adults, and families. They focus on building community and connection through evidence-based, creative approaches like art therapy, Indigenous wellness support, and peer groups, ensuring accessibility with subsidies for low-income individuals, aiming to bring hope and healing to those experiencing loss.

Métis Crisis Line: operated by Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) in collaboration with KUU-US Crisis Services, is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, toll-free phone line providing culturally safe support for Métis people across British Columbia. Call 1-833-MÉTISBC (1-833-638-4722).

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society: offers free, culturally-safe support for BC Survivors, their families, and communities, focusing on healing from intergenerational trauma through crisis lines (like the 24/7 Lamathut Line: 1 (800) 721-0066), counselling, cultural healing, referrals to Elders/healers, education, and advocacy for justice, aiming to build resilience and reconnect people with their traditions. 

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society (VAFCS): is a non-profit that supports urban Indigenous people in Vancouver with holistic programs for cultural, social, educational, and economic well-being, combating isolation by providing essential services like housing assistance, health & wellness support, family programs (including Head Start), youth initiatives, and community events such as pow wows and elder bingo. They offer culturally relevant support for all ages, helping people transition and thrive in the city.

Burnaby Pride: is a collaborative community initiative. The organizers include a number of agencies in Burnaby that support the community with programs and services as well as one to one services directly to 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and allies.

Burnaby Pride Community Action Network (PCAN): is a volunteer group of LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals and allies who plan, organize, and support Burnaby's Pride events, ensuring they reflect community needs, foster visibility, build connections, and share resources. They provide feedback on events, suggest partners, and work to create safer, inclusive spaces for celebration and awareness, aiming to strengthen the local community's sense of belonging and understanding.

Health Initiative for Men (HIM):  offers specific sexual and mental health services for gay, bi, queer, trans, and Two-Spirit (GBT2Q) men, with locations in the Lower Mainland and nearby Fraser Health areas.

LGBT National Help Centre: is a non-profit organization that provides free, confidential, and anonymous peer-support, information, and local resources to the LGBTQIA+ community and those questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity in the United States and Canada. The center offers support through various programs staffed by trained volunteers from the community, focusing on reducing isolation and addressing issues such as bullying, family concerns, relationship problems, coming out, and suicide prevention.

QMUNITY:  is British Columbia's (BC) queer, trans, and Two-Spirit (2SLGBTQIA+) resource centre, working to improve lives through services, connection, and leadership by offering free counselling, support groups, legal clinics, resources (like gender-affirming gear), and community events, creating a safe, inclusive space for connection, advocacy, and building collective strength for the community across BC.

Trans Care BC: is a provincial program in British Columbia, operated by the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), designed to enhance and coordinate health services and supports for trans, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people. It acts as a central hub for information, navigation, and education, aiming to improve access to gender-affirming care across the province. 

Trans Lifeline: is a non-profit, grassroots organization that offers direct emotional and financial support to transgender people in crisis, operated entirely by trans people for the trans community. Founded to combat the high rates of suicide within the community, it provides a safe, confidential hotline and previously offered microgrants for legal, identity, and medical needs. Call (877) 330-6366.

BC Newcomer Services Program (BC NSP): helps temporary workers, international students, and new citizens settle and integrate into British Columbia by providing essential settlement, employment, and language support, including job search help, English practice, community connections, information on rights/housing, and referrals to other services, bridging gaps for those not federally eligible for standard newcomer programs.

BC Safe Haven: provides free, wrap-around settlement support for refugee claimants, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable newcomers in British Columbia, helping them with immediate needs like housing and food, navigating complex immigration/legal processes, finding jobs, learning English, and accessing trauma-informed mental health support to build stability and integrate into the community. 

Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC): helps newcomers settle, learn, and find work in British Columbia by offering free services like language training, job search assistance, settlement support (housing, education, finances), and specialized programs for women, youth, and refugees, aiming to integrate immigrants into the community.

Multi-lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities (MOASIC): MOSAIC provides services to immigrants, refugees, and those from diverse backgrounds to help advance an inclusive and thriving Canada. Our staff and partners work together through employment, settlement, and language services to further the success and sense of belonging of newcomers and individuals from diverse backgrounds.

NewToBC: British Columbia-based public library initiative that connects immigrants and refugees with essential settlement information, community resources, and public library services through its website, blog, and volunteer program, helping newcomers find jobs, services, events, and build community connections to ease their transition to Canada. 

S.U.C.C.E.S.S:  is one of Canada's largest non-profit social service agencies, specializing in providing comprehensive settlement, integration, and employment services to immigrants, refugees, and newcomers. Funded primarily by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs, the organization operates both before and after newcomers arrive in Canada to facilitate their social and economic integration. 

Access Pro Bono: provides free legal help in British Columbia, connecting low-income individuals, seniors, immigrants, and non-profits with volunteer lawyers for advice, information, and representation in various areas like family, poverty, and immigration law, aiming to improve access to justice for those who can't afford legal services through programs like Summary Advice, Wills Clinics, and referrals. 

Clicklaw: is a British Columbia-based online service operated by Courthouse Libraries BC that acts as a curated, plain-language legal information hub. It is designed to help the public find, understand, and manage legal issues—particularly when they cannot hire a lawyer or access legal aid. 

Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS):  is a non-profit law firm in BC providing free legal help to low-income and disadvantaged people, focusing on housing, income, workers' rights, human rights, and mental health law. They offer advice, representation, and systemic advocacy to challenge discrimination and reform laws, using a multidisciplinary approach to protect the rights of those facing poverty or discrimination.

Family Justice Centre (FJC): help families navigate separation and divorce by offering free support, including mediation, legal information, counseling, and referrals for issues like parenting, support, and property division, aiming to resolve disputes outside of court with services often virtual to help those who can't afford lawyers. The FJC connects parents with Family Justice Counsellors (mediators) and sometimes lawyers/students for help with forms, advice, and community resources. 

Law Students' Legal Advice Program (LSLAP) via UBC: provides free legal services, including advice and representation, to low-income individuals in Metro Vancouver for various poverty law issues like tenancy, employment, small claims, some criminal matters, and immigration, with services offered by supervised law students through evening clinics and specialized language support. 

People’s Law School: is a non-profit society in British Columbia, dedicated to making the law accessible to everyone. They provide free education and information to help people effectively deal with the legal problems of daily life.

Rise Women’s Legal Clinic: a Vancouver-based, non-profit community legal centre that provides free or low-cost, trauma-informed family law services to self-identified women and gender-diverse people in British Columbia. 

The Legal Services Society (LSS): operates as Legal Aid BC, is an independent, non-profit organization in British Columbia providing legal information, advice, and representation services to people with low incomes.  The LSS also provides free publications on a variety of topics, including: the legal system, housing, debt, criminal law and civil law.

Autism Support Network (ASN) of British Columbia: is an organization run by families and professionals dedicated to educating and supporting families about Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) as a treatment for autism. The network focuses on building community connections in local neighborhoods to help families navigate their autism journey, particularly by increasing access to quality, evidence-based, in-home, and community-based services. 

BC Centre for Ability: Early Intervention programs and services for children with confirmed or suspected developmental delay or disability. Serves families living in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver.  

BC Disability Funding and Benefits: provides financial assistance, health supplements, and support services to British Columbians with severe, persistent physical or mental impairments. The program aims to help eligible individuals live independently and participate in their communities. 

Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI): is a non-profit supporting children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities in Metro Vancouver, offering services like employment training, social/recreation programs, respite care, and housing to promote social and economic inclusion, helping them live fulfilling lives and participate fully in the community through person-centered supports and advocacy.

Community Living British Columbia (CLBC): is a Crown corporation that was created in 2005 by a grassroots movement of self-advocates, families, service providers and other community and government partners who called for choice and change for people with developmental disabilities. CLBC has continued to work alongside individuals and families to build inclusive communities and person-centred support for adults with developmental disabilities.

Family Support Institute of BC (FSIBC): is a non-profit organization providing free, parent-to-parent support for families in British Columbia with a member who has a disability, connecting them through a large volunteer network for peer support, training, advocacy, and resources, empowering them to build stronger communities and navigate services for inclusion and well-being.

Inclusion BC: is a family-led movement and federation advocating for the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, working for systemic change in areas like education, housing, and employment, and providing direct support through advocacy programs to help individuals and families overcome barriers to full community participation.

Kinsight: supports children, youth, and adults with developmental delays or disabilities in Metro Vancouver (especially Tri-Cities/New Westminster) by offering services for personal growth, inclusion, and independence, including help with employment, housing, financial planning, skill development and connecting families to resources, aiming to foster community belonging and economic well-being. 

Support Worker Central: Support Worker Central is a free online job board in British Columbia, Canada, connecting people with disabilities who hire their own staff directly with support workers looking for jobs, making it easier for families to find personalized care and for workers to find opportunities without agency involvement, run by Vela Canada and the Family Support Institute.

BC Income Assistance: managed by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, acts as a "last resort" financial support system for residents of British Columbia who have little to no income and have exhausted all other financial resources. It provides monthly payments to cover basic needs—such as food and shelter—and helps eligible individuals transition toward employment or provides support for those with significant barriers to working. 

Health Link BC: provides comprehensive information, resources, and, through its 8-1-1 service, direct access to registered dietitians to help address food insecurity and, in conjunction with partner agencies like BC Housing, provides referrals for housing support. Its role focuses on information, navigation, and connecting individuals to community services. 

Helping Families in Need Society: is a volunteer-run BC organization that provides essential used household items (furniture, linens, kitchenware) for free or a small fee to vulnerable groups like single parents, refugees, and low-income seniors, turning houses into homes through donated goods, with referrals from social agencies to help families in the Lower Mainland establish stability. 

Odd Bunch: is a Canadian subscription-based service that combats food waste by sourcing and delivering "imperfect" (oddly shaped, sized, or discoloured) and surplus fruits and vegetables directly to customers' doors. By rescuing produce that does not meet strict retail cosmetic standards, they provide fresh produce at prices up to 50% lower than traditional grocery stores. 

Progressive Housing Society (PHS): is a Burnaby-based non-profit organization and registered charity dedicated to reducing homelessness and improving lives through "housing-first" initiatives. They provide a range of services—including emergency shelters, supportive housing, and mental health support—to individuals with complex challenges such as addiction, mental health issues, and, at times, those who are homeless or at risk of becoming so. 

Red Door Housing Society: is a non-profit organization and registered charity in British Columbia that develops, owns, and operates safe, high-quality, and affordable rental housing for low-to-moderate-income families, seniors, and individuals, including those requiring wheelchair accessibility.

Ryan’s Rainbow Emergency Food Outreach (RREFO): is a non-profit organization and volunteer-run food bank that provides immediate, non-judgmental relief to individuals and families in Burnaby experiencing food insecurity due to unexpected circumstances like illness or job loss. 

Shelter and Supportive Housing List: Burnaby's homelessness page details the city's collaborative efforts with agencies focusing on support services, outreach, and increasing affordable housing options. 

Friends of Simon (FOS): is an award-winning initiative from the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Faculty of Education that provides after-school literacy and numeracy tutoring to newcomer, refugee, and immigrant K-12 students in British Columbia's Lower Mainland. Launched in 2006, the program aims to support the academic, social, and emotional development of students, fostering a sense of belonging and helping them navigate cultural transitions. 

Individualized Community Adult Reading Education (I-CARE) Literacy Program: at Douglas College is a long-standing, free initiative in British Columbia designed to help adults improve their functional reading and writing skills. It provides one-on-one, customized tutoring to English-speaking adults, with a focus on improving foundational literacy for personal, employment, or academic goals. 

Learning Opportunity Centre (CLOC): is a flexible, drop-in educational facility located in Coquitlam for adults and school-aged students, offering self-paced high school credit courses, including for the BC Dogwood Diploma or Adult Dogwood Diploma.