The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Prince George Branch has undergone a name change to CMHA of Northern British Columbia to more accurately reflect the geographic region it serves and the reach of its mental health services available to Northern British Columbians.
CMHA of Northern BC operates a range of free services and programs which help people build resilience, connect with community resources, learn new skills and increase healthy functioning. Many of these services are available virtually to people throughout Northern BC.
“Rural and remote communities in Northern BC face unique challenges in accessing quality mental health services and those pre-existing challenges have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Maureen Davis, Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC. “The impact of social restrictions and isolation have significantly increased the risk of mental health problems including depression, anxiety and substance use – something we have sadly seen in the tragic increase in overdose deaths in the region.”
“CMHA of Northern BC offers programs which can provide vital support to people experiencing mental health challenges, many of which can be accessed over the phone or online. We encourage the public to go to our website to find out how we can support them in improving their mental health.”
CMHA Prince George has had a presence in Northern BC since 1965 and in October 2019 opened a satellite office in Quesnel which provides counselling, assessments, support, educational workshops as well as a three-year program directed at intervening with food insecurity.
CMHA of Northern BC services available online and by phone throughout Northern BC include:
Peer support services:
- Confidential service staffed by trained volunteers with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges.
- Support to individuals impacted by mental illness who need help with issues such as: disability applications, legal concerns, tenancy issues, managing mental health concerns, finding information or connecting to services within their own community.
- Phone: 1-866-564-8644
BounceBack®
- A virtual skill-building program for people experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression which is available for adults and youth aged 15+ throughout Northern BC.
- Available online with telephone coaching or in a self-managed format.
- Free and without waitlists
- www.bounceback.bc.ca
Confident Parents: Thriving Kids Behaviour Program
- Trained coaches empower parents and caregivers of children aged three to 12 years of age to learn effective skills and techniques that support social skills and cooperation in their child.
- A series of six to 14 weekly coaching sessions, along with exercises and workbooks, to prevent, reduce and reverse the development of mild to moderate behaviour problems.
- www.confidentparents.ca
Confident Parents: Thriving Kids Anxiety Program
- A program based on the best available evidence for supporting families to effectively reduce mild to moderate anxiety in their children.
- Delivered through videos, and supported by scheduled telephone coaching sessions, the approach focuses on building skills and strategies that parents of children aged three to 12 years of age can use with their child and family at home and in community settings.
- The program incorporates key concepts from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
- www.confidentparents.ca
Public Education
- Can be accessed virtually or in person (post COVID) or with pandemic safety precautions in place.
- Includes Mental Health First Aid training, ASIST and SafeTALK suicide prevention training, Respect in the Workplace for Employers as well as a resiliency training program Duct Tape is Not Enough.
- Training specific to community needs are also developed and presented – Topics include but are not limited to:
– Understanding Mental Health
– Stress Management
– Developing a Support System
– Gaining a Work-Life Balance
For more information on CMHA of Northern BC services and programs:
Website: northernbc.cmha.ca
BC wide phone number Toll Free (BC Only) 1-866-564-8644
Prince George Office: Phone 250-564-8644
Quesnel Office: Phone: 236-424-1946
Twitter: @CMHANorthernBC
Facebook: Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC
Instagram: cmhanorthernbc
About the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
CMHA is Canada’s most established mental health charity and the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health. CMHA helps people access the resources they need to maintain and improve mental health, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness. Each year in BC alone, CMHA serves more than 100,000 people all across the province. For mental health and addiction information and resources visit www.northernbc.cmha.ca
Contact:
Maureen Davis, Executive Director
Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC
C: 250-564-8644 (203)
E: maureendavis@cmhanorthernbc.ca