Mental Health
Mental health is a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It encompasses an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and how they perceive and handle life's challenges. Good mental health allows individuals to cope with stress, maintain positive relationships, make meaningful contributions to their communities, and adapt to changes. It is a state of well-being that enables individuals to realize their potential, work productively, and navigate the complexities of life effectively.
Accessing mental health services is essential for professional immigrants in Canada as it promotes their overall well-being, supports their adjustment and integration process, and positively impacts their personal and professional lives. It enables them to navigate challenges, maintain optimal mental health, and thrive in their new home country.
This page outlines the benefits of accessing mental health services, how to understand your mental health through using online self-assessment tools, and how to access mental health services through lists of services across Alberta.
Benefits of Mental Health Services
Why may mental health services be beneficial for me?
Transition Challenges: Immigrant professionals face cultural adjustments, language barriers, and stress; mental health services aid in navigating these transitions.
Emotional Well-being: Services provide confidential help for managing stress, anxiety, and depression, promoting coping skills and resilience.
Work Performance: Mental health affects productivity; services offer tools to maintain well-being and excel at work.
Work-Life Balance: Services assist in managing stress, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care for a balanced life.
Community Support: Mental health services connect with resources and networks for social integration, understanding, and belonging.
Preventive Care: Regular sessions help identify and manage stressors, develop coping mechanisms, and prevent mental health issues.
Accessing Mental Health Services
Financial Accessibility
Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage plays a significant role in helping people access mental health services by providing financial support for treatment and reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
Financial Assistance: Insurance covers therapy, counselling, and medication, making mental health treatment more affordable.
Provider Network: Insurance plans have a network of qualified mental health professionals, reducing costs and increasing reimbursement chances.
Referrals and Authorizations: Some plans require referrals or pre-authorization for specific mental health services.
Coverage Verification: Verify your policy to understand covered services, limitations, co-pays, and deductibles.
In-Network Providers: Choose in-network professionals for lower costs due to negotiated rates.
Billing and Reimbursement: Providers bill the insurance company, which determines coverage and reimburses accordingly.
Claims Process: If not directly reimbursed, individuals may submit claims with documentation for processing.
Here are some health insurance companies in Alberta:
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan
You may apply for health care coverage if you are an evacuee from Ukraine living in Alberta. For more information on this process and other Government of Alberta programs and services available to evacuees from Ukraine, read Support for Ukrainians.
Low-Cost or Sliding Scale Fee Services
Low-cost or sliding-scale fee services for mental health services are offered to ensure that individuals with financial constraints can still access the support they need. Low-cost options for services offer reduced prices to make them more affordable for individuals with limited financial means, often with subsidies from organizations or government agencies. Sliding-scale fee structures adjust service costs based on an individual's income, ensuring that people pay fees proportionate to their financial situation, making services accessible to a wider range of individuals.
Financial Accessibility: Low-cost options reduce barriers for those with limited means, making mental health support accessible.
Equal Opportunity: Ensuring affordability promotes equity, offering quality care regardless of financial background.
Treatment Engagement: Affordable services encourage early treatment, preventing worsening mental health conditions.
Prevention and Long-Term Benefits: Accessible care leads to better outcomes, benefiting long-term mental health.
Community Well-being: Affordable care fosters healthier, resilient communities through increased help-seeking and better outcomes.
Reduced Stigma: Low-cost options combat stigma, signaling that mental health services are for all, regardless of finances.
Primary Care Provider
If you have a primary care physician, discuss your mental health concerns with them. They can provide initial guidance, refer you to appropriate mental health services, or prescribe necessary medication if required.
Mental Health Helplines and Hotlines
Many regions have mental health helplines or hotlines you can call to seek guidance and support.
These helplines are typically staffed by trained professionals who can provide immediate assistance, direct you to local resources, or offer crisis intervention.
SERVICE
SERVICE TYPE
CONTACT
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to speak with a mental health specialist
1-877-303-2642 (toll free)
Dialing 211 provides a free, confidential, multilingual, and available 24/7 service connecting callers to a network of community, social, and government services, guided by trained specialists who assess needs and provide appropriate referrals.
211
Available 24 hours a day. seven days a week for those in crisis or have thoughts of self-harm
1-833-456-4566
24-hour crisis line that offers support, counselling and resources
403-266-4357
24-hour crisis line that offers support, counselling and resources
1-800-232-7288
24-hour crisis line that offers support, counselling and resources
1-888-787-2880
Free health advice or information from a registered nurse
811
Help for anyone experiencing family violence or abuse, or who knows someone that has questions about family violence. The line is available toll-free to Albertans 24/7 in over 170 languages.
310-1818
Free, anonymous, confidential text counselling for youth in Canada
Call: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686686
Help for anyone seeking to speak to a healthcare professional for confidential one-on-one support, information, or a referral to an addiction program or service
1-866-332-2322 (toll free)
Community Mental Health Services
Check if community mental health centers or organizations offer low-cost or sliding-scale fee services.
These centers often provide counselling, therapy, or support groups for individuals with various mental health concerns.
Service
Service Type
Individual and group counselling services and programs with sliding scale fees based on income.
Affordable counselling services are provided to Albertans with sliding scale fees, ensuring accessibility. Personalized counselling is offered online and in-person in various locations, including Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grand Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer.
Free drop-in psychological counselling services.
Discover a range of programs and services for individuals aged 16 and above, helping them achieve their mental health goals. From counselling and group therapy to housing support and educational programs, find local resources by searching your city or region on the website.
Mental health triage centre helps individuals who cannot pay or wait for aid through the traditional health care system.
Various organizations across Alberta are dedicated to providing various mental health services for the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Non-profit Organizations
Explore mental health services provided by non-profit organizations or immigrant-serving or settlement agencies. They may offer specialized programs for specific populations or particular mental health conditions.
Service
Service Type
Services include counselling, workshops, and improved access to community resources.
CFN offers mental health settlement, non-therapeutic counselling, and crisis intervention.
Services are free to help immigrant women and their families through non-therapeutic counselling and information on resources regarding financial issues, legal issues, immigration issues and more.
EMCN offers therapeutic and counselling services with a unique, holistic and community-oriented approach.
Services provided offer support for the settlement of immigrants and refugees as well as provide counselling that strengthens individuals and families, helps recovering addicts and supports women facing crisis pregnancies. Services are provided across various locations in Albertan cities.
Services include counselling, outreach and education.
YMCA offers a free mental wellness program for youth and adults in-person in Edmonton, Grande Prairie and Wood Buffalo regions and virtually across Alberta.
CCIS offers a variety of services for newcomers in Southern Alberta. Click to search for services in rural Alberta or in the Calgary-area.
Online and Virtual Services
Consider utilizing online mental health services or teletherapy platforms in your region.
These services provide remote access to mental health professionals via video calls or phone consultations and access to resources and tools to use at home.
Service
Service Type
An online therapy platform that connects individuals with licensed therapists for convenient and accessible mental health support. It offers a range of therapeutic services and communication options to facilitate personalized and confidential counselling from the comfort of one's own home.
Free accessible support, resources and counselling are available online or through a mobile app (PocketWell)
Anxiety Canada has developed a free, evidence-based app to assist individuals in managing anxiety. The app provides valuable resources and tools to learn relaxation techniques, cultivate more effective thought patterns, and take proactive measures in dealing with anxiety.
Extra Resources
The Mental Health Meter is an online self-assessment tool provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) that allows individuals to evaluate their mental well-being and track changes over time. It provides a snapshot of an individual's mental health status by measuring mood, stress levels, and feelings of anxiety or depression through a series of questions and provides a visual representation of the results.
Various programs, resources and services are available to help Ukrainians who come to Alberta.
Resources and Tools from Alberta Health Services
Below are links to specific resources and tools for AHS that provide information and advice on a variety of topics related to mental health: