Mental Health Resources in Calgary: A Practical Guide to Services & Support
Rod Mitchell, MSc, MC, Registered Psychologist
Key Highlights:
Calgary provides a comprehensive network of crisis and emergency mental health resources.
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 the therapist services that counselling Calgary clinics offer.
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, there are a variety of mental health resources in Calgary.
Know of a service we missed? Email us at info@emotionstherapycalgary.ca to help expand this list.
Table of Contents Hide
“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.”
Crisis Management 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
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:
Phone or Text: 403-266-HELP (403-266-4357)
Website: Distress Centre Calgary
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 Health Centre
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.
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:
Non-Emergency Phone: 403-266-1234
Emergency Phone: Dial 9-1-1
Website: Calgary Police Service
Mental Health Support Groups
Research shows that peer support groups improve social connectedness, reduce the stigma of mental health, and enhance self-esteem.
Our guide lists a range of these resources: In-Depth List of Support Groups in Calgary.
Wellness Programs
Numerous resources in Calgary aim to promote mental awareness and offer preventive wellness measures for maintaining mental health. These organizations and initiatives employ innovative strategies and provide essential support to the community.
Access Mental Health
Services Offered: Access Mental Health is a comprehensive referral service. Provides mental health information and referrals for supports.
How to Contact:
Phone: 403-943-1500, 1-844-943-1500
Website: Access Mental Health
Mental Health Navigator
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:
Website: Hull Services
CMHA Calgary
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:
Website: CMHA Calgary
YouthSMART
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:
Website: YouthSMART
Recovery College
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:
Website: Recovery College
Mental Health Assessment in Calgary
There are numerous mental health assessment resources in Calgary, offering evidence-based screening, diagnostic services, and evaluation tools designed to identify specific challenges and create tailored treatment plans.
These assessments provide the critical foundation for effective mental health interventions, helping individuals understand their unique needs and access the most appropriate support for their healing journey.
Access Mental Health
Services Offered: As a comprehensive referral service, Access Mental Health can help individuals navigate the assessment services that Calgary offers.
How to Contact:
Phone: 403-943-1500 / 1-844-943-1500
Website: Access Mental Health
Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre
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.
Free Youth Counselling Services
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
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
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:
Website: Hull Services
Centre for Child & Adolescent Mental Health
Services Offered: Delivers urgent and intensive care for youth requiring mental health assistance in Calgary.
How to Contact:
AHS
Services Offered: Offers various mental health supports for children and youth, catering to a wide spectrum of concerns.
How to Contact:
Website: Alberta Health Services
ConnecTeen
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:
Websites: Distress Centre Calgary, ConnecTeen
Alberta Children’s Hospital
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
Services Offered: The Trellis Society facilitates peer support as a method of fostering resilience among youth.
How to Contact:
Website: Trellis Society
Black Youth Helpline
Services Offered: The Black Youth Helpline serves children, youth, and families dealing with mental health challenges, taking cultural factors into account.
How to Contact:
Website: Black Youth Helpline
Bridging the Gap
Services Offered: Bridging the Gap addresses mental health issues among young individuals through community support.
How to Contact:
Website: Wood’s Homes
University of Calgary: Mental Health Services
Services Offered: Offers free confidential crisis intervention, professional counselling, and advice on student mental health concerns.
How to Contact:
Phone: 1-877-303-2642
Long-Term Mental Health Services
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
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:
Website: Calgary Dream Centre
Phone: 403-243-5598
Recovery Community
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:
Financial & Legal Mental Health Resources
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
Services Offered: Among its other offerings, the CMHA offers guidance on managing financial strains related to mental health treatment.
How to Contact:
Phone: 1-877-303-2642
Website: CMHA Alberta
Access Mental Health
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:
Phone: 403-943-1500, 1-844-943-1500
Website: Access Mental Health
Wellness Together
Services Offered: A Canada-wide initiative offering free access to financial and legal mental health resources.
How to Contact:
Website: Wellness Together. Download the PocketWell app.
Calgary Mental Health Services: Free & Affordable Options
Calgary offers a variety of free and affordable mental health services - below are a few key organizations.
For a more comprehensive list, please view our guide: Free Mental Health Services in Alberta: Counselling & Therapy Resources.
Access Mental Health
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:
Phone: 403-943-1500, 1-844-943-1500
Website: Access Mental Health
Community-Based Organizations
Services Offered: Organizations like CUPS, YW Calgary, and Mustard Seed Neighbour Centre offer free counselling services, psychiatric assessments, and support for diverse needs, including specialized services for Indigenous communities.
How to Contact:
Websites: CUPS Calgary, YW Calgary, The Mustard Seed
Mosaic PCN
Services Offered: The Mosaic Primary Care Network (PCN) offers free access to mental health therapists for short-term support on issues such as depression, anxiety, stress management, PTSD, and relationship issues.
How to Contact:
Website: Mosaic PCN
Master’s Counselling
Services Offered: Master’s Counselling provides comprehensive mental health counselling services with low-cost options to ensure quality care remains accessible to everyone in the community.
How to Contact:
Website: Master’s Counselling
Free Mental Health & Journaling Apps
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 mental health services, such as journaling.
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
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
Mental Health Volunteer Opportunities 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:
Website: Distress Centre Calgary
CMHA Calgary
Volunteering Opportunities: Contribute by participating in peer support programs, educational sessions, and community outreach initiatives.
How to Contact:
Website: CMHA Calgary
Kids Help Phone
Volunteering Opportunities: Support the platform by volunteering in areas like fundraising, advocacy, or content creation.
How to Contact:
Website: Kids Help Phone
Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre
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
Conclusion
The mental health resources Calgary offers span 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.
