Mental Health

There are free and low-cost mental health supports available in Nanaimo.

Helpful Links

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.

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.