Illness Specific Mental Health Resources
This section provides information and links to resources for various types of mental illnesses. This information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advise. Always consult your physician or appropriate health care provider with respect to your particular circumstances.
Mood Disorders
Postpartum Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
Substance Use Disorder
Problem Gambling
Eating Disorders
Schizophrenia
Other Psychotic Disorders
Mood Disorders (example: Depression)
Mood disorders affect about 10% of the population. Everyone experiences highs and lows in life, but people with mood disorders experience them with greater intensity and for longer periods of time than most people.
Depression is the most common mood disorder; a person with depression feels very low. Symptoms may include: feelings of hopelessness, changes in eating patterns, disturbed sleep, constant tiredness, an inability to have fun, and thoughts of death or suicide.
People with bipolar disorder have periods of depression and periods of feeling unusually high or elated. The highs get out of hand, and the manic person can behave in a reckless manner, sometimes to the point of financial ruin or getting in trouble with the law.
Mood Disorders Association of BC
The Mood Disorders Association of BC (MDABC) is a nonprofit organization that provides treatment, support, education, and hope of recovery for people living with a mood disorder.
Antidepressant Skills at Work – Dealing With Mood Problems in the Workplace
This is a self-care manual (audio version available) which is intended for:
- Working people with low mood, who may be at risk for developing depression.
- Working people who have developed a mild or major depression.
- Individuals who have been off work for a period of time, and are reentering the workplace.
- Partners, family members, friends or workplace colleagues who want to help an individual suffering from low mood or depression.
- Employers, supervisors or managers concerned about the well-being of their staff.
- Treatment providers who would like a tool to use as an adjunct to their clinical treatment.
www.comh.ca/antidepressant-skills/work
Postpartum Disorder
Postpartum disorder describes the range of emotional, physical, and behavioral changes often experienced by new mothers. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. While some new mothers experience a mild, brief bout of "baby blues," others suffer from postpartum depression, a much more serious condition, and in some cases, other symptoms related to their mental health which can be severe and incapacitating.
Postpartum Support Society
The Pacific Post Partum Support Society supports mothers and their families experiencing postpartum distress, depression and anxiety. The organization provides a variety of free or low-cost programs depending upon individual’s needs.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders cause unexpected or unhelpful anxiety that seriously impacts one’s life, including how they think, feel, and act. Anxiety disorders include: phobias, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
AnxietyBC
The mandate of the Anxiety Disorders Association of British Columbia (AnxietyBC™) is to increase awareness about anxiety disorders, promote education of the general public, affected persons and health care providers, and increase access to evidence-based resources and treatments.
Substance Use Disorder
Substance use disorder refers to the overuse of, or dependence on, a drug leading to effects that are detrimental to the individual's physical and mental health, or the welfare of others.
BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services
BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) provides a diverse range of specialized and one-of-a-kind tertiary mental health and substance use services for children, adolescents and adults across the province of BC. Their overarching goal is to work with the Regional Health Authorities and other key stakeholders to ensure that everyone in British Columbia has access to the specialized mental health services they need, when they need them, regardless of where they live.
On their website you will find information and links to resources across the Province of British Columbia as well as information about how to get help.
Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral
604-660-9382 or 1-800-663-1441
You can call this number for information, options and support for yourself or for someone you care about. Referrals can be made to a full range of counselling and treatment services across BC. Services on the Alcohol and Drug line are confidential, multilingual, free and available 24/7.
BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information
HeretoHelp is a project of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information. They are a group of seven mental health and addictions non-profit agencies working together to help people live well and better prevent and manage mental health and substance use problems.
This site provides mental health and substance use information including information about resources, self-help information and personal stories.
Problem Gambling
British Columbia Responsible & Problem Gambling Program
The British Columbia Responsible & Problem Gambling program exists to help reduce and prevent the harmful impacts of excessive or uncontrolled gambling. Their mandate includes providing free support and treatment services for anyone struggling with their own, or a loved one’s, gambling and promoting responsible gambling practices through education and policy development.
Problem Gambling Help Line: 1-888-795-6111 (available 24/7)
Eating Disorders
An eating disorder involves an all-consuming preoccupation with food, shape and weight. Eating disorders are often a way to cope with difficult problems or gain a sense of control over one’s life. Eating disorders affect one’s sense of identity, worth and self-esteem.
The Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre provides support and resource information to people of all ages who may be struggling with an eating disorders.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a complex biochemical brain disorder that affects a person’s ability to determine what is reality and what is not. People with schizophrenia are affected by delusions (fixed false beliefs that can be terrifying to the person experiencing them), hallucinations (sensory experiences, such as hearing voices talking about them when there is no one there), social withdrawal and disturbed thinking.
BC Schizophrenia Society
The BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) offers services to families in centres throughout BC. For information on these services, contact the provincial office at 604-270-7841 or toll free 1-888-888-0029.
Other Psychotic Disorders
The word "psychosis" refers to a range of conditions that affect the mind, in which there has been some loss of contact with reality. A person with psychosis is, at times, unable to tell the difference between what is real and what is just in their minds. Psychosis is characterized by significant changes in a person’s perceptions, thoughts, beliefs and behaviours. A person may experience hallucinations (hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling and feeling things that actually aren't real) and delusions (unshakable belief in something that is not true and that others do not share). Hallucinations and delusions are very real to the person and can be distressing and frightening.
Early Psychosis Intervention Program
The terms "early psychosis" or "first episode psychosis" mean that an individual is experiencing psychosis for the first time.
Search
The information contained in this toolkit is provided for general information only.
It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your physician or appropriate health-care provider with respect to your particular circumstances.