Mental health resources

HEU members work in a wide range of challenging and rewarding positions supporting health care delivery in acute, long-term, and community care.  

The contribution of HEU members to health care provision in British Columbia is invaluable.  

In Canada, psychological health and safety in the workplace describes a workplace that protects workers from psychological harm and supports their mental well-being. Organizations actively work toward building healthy and safe work environments through good communication, meaningful participation in health and safety, fair management, and ultimately caring relationships.    

There are many reasons for employers to support psychological health, safety and wellness in the workplace, mainly inclusive teams, providing better care delivery which results in better healthcare environments and improved outcomes.  

Workplaces that follow these ideas usually have happier, safer, and more productive work environments.  Putting psychological health, safety and wellness practices in place takes time, requires commitment, and focuses on three main goals: preventing harm, promoting mental health, and solving problems when they arise.

Below is a list of mental health resources that you can turn to for support, information and connection.  

You may have access to other supports, including leaves, through your collective agreement provisions. You can find your collective agreement here.  

Employee Assistance Program

Your employer may provide access to an employee assistance program (EAP) that you can access. EAPs generally offer confidential counselling and online wellness services to you at no cost. You can check with your employer to see whether you have access to an EAP and how you can access it.

310 Mental Health Support

Provides emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health. Call 310-6789 (no area code needed)

Care for Caregivers

Supporting the mental health of healthcare providers. Connect with free, unbiased, and confidential mental health support by calling or texting 1-866-802-7337 (PEER) or chatting online with other healthcare workers like you.  careforcaregivers.ca/

Seniors' Distress Line

Provides a free and confidential telephone support service for seniors, their caregivers or anyone concerned about a senior. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by highly trained, non-judgemental and caring volunteers. Call 604-872-1234

Indigenous-centered resources

First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) provides First Nations health programs across B.C. Mental health and wellness supports include:

2SLGBTQIA+ Focused Resources
Multicultural focused resources
Suicidality and non-suicidal self-harm resources
  • Kelty Mental Health information and resources about suicide keltymentalhealth.ca/suicide
  • 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline call or text 9-8-8 available 24/7
  • 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433 available 24/7 BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line crisiscentre.bc.ca/
  • Hope for Wellness Help Line 1-855-242-3310 available 24/7 to all Indigenous people across Canada
  • KUU-US Aboriginal Crisis Line 1-800-588-8717 (available for Indigenous people)
  • Métis Crisis Line 1-833-Metis-BC (1-833-638-4722) available 24/7
  • 9-1-1 or your local hospital emergency department
Domestic violence resources
  • Battered Women’s Support Services has free and confidential counselors, peers and volunteers. Open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 604-687-1867 or 1-855- 687-1868, or visit www.bwss.org/
  • Victim Services in BC Call or text -1-800-563-0808 or email:  211-victimlinkbc@uwbc.ca