Calgary Mental Health Resources: Complete Guide (2024)

Therapy 101Calgary
Written By Rod Mitchell, R. Pysch.
View of Calgary skyline highlighting mental health resources Calgary offers.
 

Key Highlights:

  • Calgary provides a comprehensive network of crisis and emergency mental health supports.

  • A wide array of community programs and peer supports in Calgary facilitate social connectedness and wellness.

  • Innovative resources, including digital apps and online platforms, complement traditional mental health services.

 

When dealing with mental health challenges, it's important to know where to find help. Whether you're seeking immediate crisis intervention or long-term recovery programs, Calgary's network of mental health resources provides a variety of solutions.

This guide is a comprehensive look at the local landscape of wellness supports. For those who want a more structured approach, there are also a range of professional counselling and therapists Calgary residents can access for mental health support.

 

Table of Contents

 
“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.”
— John Green
 

Crisis & Urgent Mental Health Services

In times of crisis, having a dependable source of support and guidance is essential. Emergency contacts and crisis support services in Calgary address urgent mental health needs and contribute to improving safety.

Calgary Distress Centre: Crisis Helpline

Services Offered: Distress Centre provides through phone, text, and online chat, focusing on suicide prevention and emotional wellbeing. The helpline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How to Contact:

9-8-8: National Suicide Crisis Helpline

Services Offered: This new, national three-digit helpline provides urgent, live support by phone and text for those considering suicide or experiencing a crisis.

How to Contact:

  • Phone: Dial 9-8-8

Sheldon M. Chumir: Urgent Mental Health Care

Services Offered: Provides walk-in crisis mental health assessment and therapy.

How to Contact:

  • Phone: 403- 955-6200

  • Address: 1213 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0X7. Open 24/7.

CPS: Calgary Police Service

Services Offered: For non-emergencies, where police assistance or advice is required, and for situations where immediate police response is necessary.

How to Contact:

 
Helpline operator providing mental health resources Calgary residents need.
 

Peer Supports & Community Programs in Calgary

Research shows that peer support groups improve social connectedness, reduce the stigma of mental health, and enhance self-esteem. Here, we list a range of these support groups in Calgary.

Elements Calgary: Support Groups

Services Offered:

  • Mental Health Support Group: Provides a supportive atmosphere for sharing concerns and exploring issues with skilled facilitators leading the sessions. Meets once a week for 2.5 hours.

  • Reach for Recovery Support Group: Offers a safe space for those dealing with addiction and mental health concerns, with focuses on relapse prevention, self-care, and post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Meets once a week for 1.5 hours.

How to Contact:

  • Phone: 403-266-8711

CMHA Calgary: Peer Support Workers

Services Offered:

  • The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) can help you connect with peer support workers who have lived experience, offering individual or family-focused peer coping support via phone, Zoom, or in-person appointments.

  • The CMHA also provides training for those interested in becoming peer support workers, enhancing the network of support and employment opportunities in Peer Support roles.

How to Contact:

CASS: Community Activities

Services Offered: Calgary Alternative Support Services (CASS) offers various groups for adults living with severe and persistent mental illness, providing a supportive environment for engaging in meaningful activities. Participants develop friendships and community, improving overall wellness and reducing hospitalizations.

How to Contact:

  • Phone: 403-283-0611

  • Website: CASS

 
Bar graph showing the number of community and peer support mental health Calgary provides.
 

Prevention & Wellness Supports in Calgary

Numerous resources in Calgary aim to promote mental awareness and offer preventive measures for maintaining mental health. These organizations and initiatives employ innovative strategies and provide essential support to the community.

Access Mental Health: Information & Referrals

Services Offered: Access Mental Health is a comprehensive referral service. Provides mental health information and referrals for supports.

How to Contact:

Mental Health Navigator: Free Support for Parents

Services Offered: Mental Health Navigator by Hull Services provides free support for parents and caregivers of children, guiding them toward appropriate resources in the community.

How to Contact:

CMHA Calgary: Mental Health Workshops

Services Offered: In addition to peer supports, CMHA Calgary offers a variety of workshops, classes, and drop-in groups aimed at mental health awareness and prevention. One-on-one support services are also available.

How to Contact:

YouthSMART: Youth Mental Health Education

Services Offered: Specifically designed for youth aged 12 - 24, YouthSMART provides mental health learning sessions and engagement opportunities. It’s a direct approach to educating and informing young people about mental health.

How to Contact:

Recovery College: Mental Health Classes

Services Offered: An educational approach focusing on helping people recognize their own resourcefulness and resilience. Staff at the Recovery College offer classes that develop skills conducive to recovery journeys.

How to Contact:

 
Wild rose blooming with Calgary skyline in the background, symbolizing mental health Calgary support.
 

Addiction Services and Resources in Calgary

The journey to recovery from addiction is a profound challenge that requires support, understanding, and resources tailored to individual needs. There are a range of addiction resources in Calgary, designed to support individuals at every step of their recovery.

AHS: Addiction Helpline

Services Offered: The Addiction Helpline by Alberta Health Services (AHS) provides a broad range of services for individuals struggling with alcohol, drugs, and gambling. The helpline is staffed by nurses, social workers, and psychologists.

How to Contact:

AA, NA, Al-Anon, & Nar-Anon: 12-Step Programs

  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Focus on support for alcohol use challenges.

  • Al-Anon Family Groups: Assistance for friends and family of individuals struggling with substance use.

  • Narcotics Anonymous (NA): A 12-step program for those dealing with drug use issues.

  • Nar-Anon Family Groups: Support for friends and family affected by someone else's substance use.

Access Mental Health: Addiction Referrals

Services Offered: As a comprehensive referral service, Access Mental Health can help individuals navigate the addiction supports that Calgary offers.

How to Contact:

CMHA Calgary: Addiction Support Programs

Services Offered: CMHA Calgary’s support programs include an information and resource service for those facing mental health and addiction concerns.

How to Contact:

 
Person breaking free from chains, representing addiction recovery through mental health Calgary services.
 

Support Services for Youth & Children in Calgary

Calgary offers a variety of community resources personalized to meet the unique needs of youth and children. Here, we list descriptions and contact information for these resources.

The Summit: Comprehensive Mental Health Support

Services Offered: Focuses on day hospital and community-based treatments for children and youth facing mental health challenges. Walk-in mental health services are available for those under 18, with no referral needed.

How to Contact:

Hull Services: Youth & Parent Supports

Services Offered: Includes programs like Bridging the Gap for ages 16-24 with mental health concerns, and the Lasting Impressions program for families where a parent has a mental illness. The Mental Health and Addiction Navigator aids parents and caregivers of children and youth.

How to Contact:

Centre for Child & Adolescent Mental Health: Urgent Care

Services Offered: Delivers urgent and intensive care for youth requiring mental health assistance in Calgary.

How to Contact:

AHS: Youth & Child Programs

Services Offered: Offers various mental health supports for children and youth, catering to a wide spectrum of concerns.

How to Contact:

ConnecTeen: Crisis Helpline

Services Offered: Distress Centre Calgary provides 24-hour crisis support, professional counselling, and peer support aimed at youth. ConnecTeen is a service offering teen and youth peer support via phone, text, and chat.

How to Contact:

Alberta Children’s Hospital: Inpatient Mental Health

Services Offered: Specialized programs for youths, including acute mental health problem treatments within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Services unit.

How to Contact:

  • Phone: 403-955-7211

Trellis Society: Peer Supports

Services Offered: The Trellis Society facilitates peer support as a method of fostering resilience among youth.

How to Contact:

Black Youth Helpline: Crisis Support

Services Offered: The Black Youth Helpline serves children, youth, and families dealing with mental health challenges, taking cultural factors into account.

How to Contact:

Bridging the Gap: Community-Based Programs

Services Offered: Bridging the Gap addresses mental health issues among young individuals through community support.

How to Contact:

University of Calgary: Counselling for Students

Services Offered: Offers free confidential crisis intervention, professional counselling, and advice on student mental health concerns.

How to Contact:

 
Counsellor sitting with a child, highlighting mental health resources for youth.
 

Long-Term Recovery Programs in Calgary

Calgary offers a range of recovery and rehabilitation resources aimed at promoting sustained mental wellness. Here's a closer look at some of the long-term support options available.

Calgary Dream Centre: Residential Recovery Program

Services Offered: The Calgary Dream Centre offers a seven-week residential recovery program designed to help participants address addiction in a supportive and structured environment, focusing on long-term recovery. It also provides transitional housing and professionally led counselling and therapy sessions.

How to Contact:

Recovery Community: Recovery Support for Students

Services Offered: The University of Calgary offers a community-based support system for students on recovery journeys. Provides supportive strategies and peer connections.

How to Contact:

Unique Pathways: Resource Directory

Services Offered: Lists resources spanning short-term and long-term support options, with the goal to support mental health recovery in Calgary.

How to Contact:

 
Peaceful pathway through Prince's Island Park emphasizing mental health resources.
 

Financial & Legal Mental Health Services in Calgary

Encountering financial or legal issues can significantly impact one's mental health. Fortunately, Calgary offers a variety of resources aimed at helping individuals navigate these challenges. Below is a list of services providing financial and legal assistance related to mental health concerns.

CMHA Alberta: Financial Guidance

Services Offered: Among its other offerings, the CMHA offers guidance on managing financial strains related to mental health treatment.

How to Contact:

Access Mental Health: Financial & Legal Referrals

Services Offered: Access Mental Health can provides information, advice, and referrals to Alberta Health Services, assisting with financial and legal challenges derived from mental health issues.

How to Contact:

Wellness Together: Financial & Legal Resources

Services Offered: A Canada-wide initiative offering free access to financial and legal mental health resources.

How to Contact:

 
Watercolor symbolizing the mental health resources Calgary provides.
 

Free Mental Health Resources in Calgary

Calgary offers a variety of free mental health services - below are a few key organizations. For a more comprehensive list, please view our guide to the free mental health services Alberta offers.

Access Mental Health: Referrals for Free Counselling

Services Offered: Access Mental Health can provide information on a range of free counselling services in Calgary. Support workers can also provide referrals.

How to Contact:

Community-Based Organizations: Free Counselling

Services Offered: Organizations like CUPS, YW Calgary, and Mustard Seed Neighbour Centre offer counselling services, psychiatric assessments, and support for diverse needs, including specialized services for Indigenous communities.

How to Contact:

Mosaic PCN: Free Short-Term Counselling

Services Offered: The Mosaic Primary Care Network (PCN) offers access to mental health therapists for short-term support on issues such as depression, anxiety, stress management, PTSD, and relationship issues.

How to Contact:

 
Bar graph displaying the number of mental health Calgary programs for anxiety, depression, and stress.
 

Apps & Other Innovative Resources

Digital services like phone apps can supplement other mental health supports in Calgary. Below, you will find a list of apps that provide a range of unique services.

Calm: Meditation & Sleep Support

  • Offers meditation, sleep stories, and nature sounds with both free and premium models. Premium access is priced at various rates, including monthly and lifetime subscriptions.

  • Website: Calm

What’s Up: CBT & ACT Techniques

  • Utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy techniques to aid users in dealing with depression, anxiety, and stress.

  • Free on iOS and Android.

Youper: Emotional Health Assistance

  • Developed by a diverse team, Youper offers emotional health assistance through a user-friendly interface designed to help manage emotional wellbeing.

  • Website: Youper

Headspace: Meditation & Mindfulness

  • Renowned for meditation, sleep management, and mood control with a 14-day free trial followed by subscription options.

  • Website: Headspace

Innowell: Youth Mental Health Tool

  • Geared towards youth and young adults, providing a free online tool that should be used with guidance from mental health professionals.

  • Website: Innowell

Daylio: Mood Tracking

  • Daylio enables mood tracking without typing a single word, offering a private journaling experience. It's free to download, with optional premium features for an enriched tracking experience. Perfect for keeping a private diary and mood tracking.

  • Website: Daylio

SAM: Anxiety Management

  • SAM is a user-friendly app offering tools to manage anxiety effectively. It assists users in understanding their anxiety with practical management tools developed to help them understand and manage their anxiety.

  • Website: SAM

Be Safe: Crisis Safety Planning

  • Be Safe by MindYourMind provides users with a digital safety plan for immediate crisis support, detailing local resources and contacts for urgent help. It's tailored for immediate support in troublesome situations, helping you create a digital safety plan.

  • Website: Be Safe

 
Person on a digital tablet, highlighting the ease of accessing innovative Calgary mental health resources.
 

Mental Health Volunteering in Calgary

Engaging in community support and volunteering in the mental health sector helps those in immediate need and contributes to the community's wellbeing. Whether it's by directly interacting with those seeking help or supporting behind the scenes, your efforts can make a significant difference.

Before volunteering, consider these questions to find the best fit for your skills and interests:

  • What mental health issues am I most passionate about addressing?

  • Do I prefer direct interaction with those seeking help, or do I thrive in supportive or administrative roles?

  • How much time can I commit to volunteering?

Calgary Distress Centre

Volunteering Opportunities: Volunteer as a crisis line responder or offer administrative support.

How to Contact:

CMHA Calgary

Volunteering Opportunities: Contribute by participating in peer support programs, educational sessions, and community outreach initiatives.

How to Contact:

Kids Help Phone

Volunteering Opportunities: Support the platform by volunteering in areas like fundraising, advocacy, or content creation.

How to Contact:

Sheldon M. Chumir

Volunteering Opportunities: Contact the centre for volunteer opportunities in mental health support and crisis intervention.

How to Contact:

  • Phone: 403-955-6200

AHS Community Helpers Program

Volunteering Opportunities: Targeted at youth and adults ages 12 and over, this program enhances community capacity for mental health by identifying natural helpers within communities and offering training to strengthen their skills.

How to Contact:

  • Phone: Dial 8-1-1.

 
Community members participating in mental health Calgary initiatives at a park.
 

Summary

Calgary offers an extensive array of mental health supports, spanning from crisis intervention to long-term recovery options. This diversity of resources ensures that regardless of the immediate need or specific circumstance, individuals can find appropriate and effective support.

For anyone seeking to begin or continue their journey toward mental health recovery, understanding these resources can be an empowering first step. If you need personalized guidance or if the journey seems overwhelming, consider booking a free 20-minute consultation. At Emotions Therapy Calgary we understand the importance of mental health and want to help you find the support you need.

Rod Mitchell, R. Pysch.

Rod is the founder of Emotions Therapy Calgary and a Registered Psychologist with advanced degrees in Science and Counselling Psychology. He specializes in helping people transform intense emotions like anger, anxiety, stress, and grief into catalysts for personal growth.

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