The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) released new guidance in January 2023, to help inform Canadians about the potential health risks associated with drinking alcohol. While the focus of the recent guidance was on alcohol and physical health, mental well-being is also a part of overall health.
If you’re thinking about alcohol and your mental health, you might want to reflect on why you’re drinking and to recognize changes in your mood, relationships and actions when you drink. This reflection can help you notice if adjusting your drinking patterns could be a positive change or if you’re comfortable and happy with your current alcohol use.
Sometimes alcohol use can affect your mental health, and you may also use alcohol to cope with how you’re feeling. If you need mental health support, help is available to you.
To talk to someone right away:
- Kuu-us Aboriginal Crisis Line: Call toll free 1-888-588-8717
- Crisis Line: Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to speak with crisis line workers anytime.
- Crisis Centre Chat: Visit crisiscentrechat.ca to chat online with a crisis responder. It’s available from noon to 1:00 a.m. every day
- BC Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (no area code required, local volunteers)
For ongoing mental health supports:
- Mental Health | Wellbeing.gov.bc.ca: Information and resources to help you explore your wellbeing and find support, from the BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.
- We’re here to help | Here to Help: Information on mental health, mental illness, and substance use problems from seven partner agencies in BC.
- BounceBack BC: A free skill-building program designed to help individuals 13+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry, delivered online or over the phone with a coach.
For mental health information and navigation support, contact help@cmha.bc.ca
If you need information and referral services for any kind of substance use issue, the Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service (ADIRS) provides free, confidential, multilingual telephone assistance, available 24 hours a day at 1 800 663-1441.