There are free and low-cost mental health supports available in Nanaimo.
Helpful Links
The Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP): provides a range of benefits to assist victims, immediate family members of victims and certain witnesses in coping with the effects of violent crime, where same or similar benefits are not available from another source.
Stenberg Wellness Centre: offers FREE virtual counselling services through Stenberg College’s Counseling Therapist Diploma program.
Growth Counselling: are providing Affordable virtual counseling services for BC residents. Under the supervision of Registered Clinical Counsellor Tymarah Cholewa, practicum student Kallie MacKinnon offers 50-minute sessions on a sliding scale of $40-$70, with free options for those in financial need. These services will be available until May or August 2025, with plans to continue offering support through new practicum students. For more information or to book an appointment, visit igrowthcounselling.com or contact Tymarah at info@igrowthcounselling.com.
Mid Island CMHA Social Centre: A place where individuals dealing with mental health or substance use issues can come to connect with others, engage in wellness-based activities, learn and improve mental and physical wellness and contribute to a vibrant community.
Nanaimo Family Life Association Counselling Services: One-on-one accessible and affordable counselling is provided to individuals, couples, and youth.
Island Health Walk-in Crisis Counselling Clinic at Brooks Landing: Provides individuals seeking crisis counselling and connects to mental health and substance use community services. This service includes the Walk-in Crisis Counselling Clinic that provides services to all ages as well as an Intake service that provides referrals and resources to individuals 19 years of age or older.
Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 24-hour Vancouver Island Crisis Line is a service contracted by Provincial Health Services Authority.
MOSAIC Services Counselling programs: Offers mental well-being programs to help immigrants transition and settle. These programs provide counselling, referrals, and group events to support wellbeing of new Canadians.
Island Community Counselling: Offers counselling sessions on a sliding scale.
Ladysmith Resources Centre Association: The LRCA Counselling Program is designed to provide short-term, solution focused therapy for those without extended medical health benefits or an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Fee: $20 a session. However, no one is turned away because of an inability to pay.
Restorative Counselling: Traditional talk therapy sessions in a comfortable outdoor office in South Nanaimo. Serving clients with diverse needs. Student rates / sliding fees available. FNHA funding for First Nations Mental Health and Wellness program available.
BounceBack: Free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 13+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered online or over the phone with a coach.
Mental Health Recovery Partners: Supports individuals living with any mental illness and their families by providing education, community, and support in Central Vancouver Island.
Foundry Virtual BC: Young people aged 12-24 and their caregivers can access virtual services through the Foundry BC app from anywhere in British Columbia!
Rhodes Wellness College Counselling Centre: is now offering online pro-bono one-on-one sessions. Designed to be a service that helps individuals around the world with a host of issues including anxiety, trauma, depression, goal-setting, relationships, and more, the Centre is run by students in their final semesters of their Professional Counselling Diploma.
Blackbird Counselling and Wellness: is now offering affordable counselling starting at $60 a session on a sliding scale based on need. Sessions are offered Monday and Tuesday evenings virtually, and Fridays in person in a beautiful office space close to downtown Nanaimo (please be aware accessibility may be an issue for some as there are stairs required to get up to the second floor, and no elevator).
Nanaimo Family Life Association – Seniors Peer Counselling program: provides counselling and support to alleviate loneliness and isolation of seniors who are 55+ years old. The service is offered in the home, our office, and community. Seniors are encouraged to enjoy healthy aging through physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Programs for Men
Nanaimo Family Life Association Beyond Blame Program: Group that supports men to move beyond abusive behaviours and to build healthy relationships.
The Men’s Center Nanaimo low cost counselling: Offers low barrier affordable counselling to give all individuals in society an equal chance at changing their lives for the better.
The Men’s Center Nanaimo Men’s Groups: These mens groups do not require an initiation weekend, and are made more approachable by being more flexible with men’s situations when joining the group.
Tillicum Lelum Men’s Wellness Program: Program for adult male survivors of sexual abuse, historical trauma, and the impacts of Residential School.
Programs for Women
Haven Society Nanaimo: Offers shelter for women and children escaping abuse, as well as community programs.
Mamas for Mamas Telus Health for Good: Non-profit that offers free virtual counselling to mothers in Canada.
Footprints Infertility & Pregnancy Loss Support Initiative: Free mental health support bags for grieving parents, Facebook support group, online resources.
Substance Use Programs
Alcoholics Anonymous Nanaimo: Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.
Island Health Mental Health & Substance Use Services: NRGH Recovery Group Thursdays 3pm to 4pm at The Gathering Space (Main floor by Nephrology)
Narcotics Anonymous Nanaimo: A nonprofit fellowship of people for whom drugs had become a major problem. Meet regularly to help each other stay clean.
Tillicum Lelum Drug & Alcohol Counselling Program: Provides one on one counselling support services as well as groups in a culturally safe environment.
Grief Support
Rainbows Nanaimo: Provides support to children & teens going through a major loss or change in their family. Free. 12 week program consists of journals, activities, games, and stories to help participants move through their healing process.
Nanaimo Community Hospice: Offers free peer support and groups for grieving clients, both children and adult.
MyGrief.ca: An online resource to help people move through their grief from the comfort of their own home, at their own pace. It can help you understand your grief and approach some of the most difficult questions that may arise.
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 