How to access mental health support as a newcomer or refugee in British Columbia
Arriving in a new country by choice or by forced migration is not an easy experience. Many newcomers and refugees must quickly adapt to new societal norms, navigating new and complex systems, sometimes a new language, and more. While trying to adapt, many newcomers and refugees also experience grief and loss with their home country, their culture, or family and friends they’ve left behind.
Navigating these many changes and feelings can be overwhelming and can impact mental health and wellbeing. Accessing mental health support in BC can be helpful, but it is not always a straightforward process.
Some challenges newcomers and refugees may experience in accessing mental health support are:
Stigma - It may not be normalized to seek mental health support in your culture, you may fear being judged or may feel shame to get help.
Language and culture - You may require a counsellor who can speak your language or uses interpreter services and can understand your culture.
Cost - Counselling can be expensive and if you have extended health benefits, finding a counsellor who can bill your benefits can be challenging.
System navigation - Looking for a counsellor that fits your needs can be overwhelming as there are many programs and clinics that advertise and offer counselling services.
Although newcomers and refugees new to BC may experience challenges in accessing mental health support, there are programs and services that can help.
Here are some tips to help make finding and accessing mental health support a little easier:
Talk to someone you trust - This could be a family member, friend, settlement worker, community leader, doctor, or other person you feel comfortable with. You do not have to navigate the system alone.
Connect with a settlement/refugee support organization - Settlement workers can help you understand available services, make referrals, and navigate health and community resources.
Ask about language support - If you are more comfortable speaking a language other than English, ask whether interpretation or services in your language are available. You should not have to rely on a family member or friend to interpret your health information.
Look for culturally responsive support - It can be helpful to find a counsellor or service provider who understands your cultural background, migration experience, or community. You can ask a provider about their experience working with newcomers and refugees.
Ask about cost and eligibility - Mental health services vary in cost and eligibility depending on the program or counsellor and your circumstances. Ask whether a service is free, low-cost, or covered through your benefits before deciding whether or not to access it.
Know that you do not need to be in crisis to ask for help. Feeling overwhelmed, isolated, anxious, sad, angry, having difficulty sleeping, or struggling to adjust are all valid reasons to reach out for support.
Most importantly, seeking support is not a sign of weakness. Adjusting to a new country can involve many emotional, social, and practical challenges, and reaching out for support can be an important part of taking care of yourself and your wellbeing.
Here are some resources across BC that may be able to help:
Call 8-1-1 to speak with a health service navigator who can help you find health information and services in B.C. Support is available in many languages. This can be a useful starting point if you are unsure where to go for mental health support.
Call or text 2-1-1 to connect with a navigator who can help you find information about community, social, and government services. Support is available in many languages. Navigators can help you find local resources related to mental health, housing, settlement, food, employment, and more.
You can also use their website: https://bc.211.ca/.
MOSAIC
MOSAIC provides settlement and mental health services for immigrants, refugees, refugee claimants, and other newcomers. Its Mental Health & Wellness Program offers trauma-informed and culturally responsive support, including individual counselling and group wellness programs. MOSAIC also offers support to refugee claimants and asylum seekers through its BC Safe Haven program.
More information can be found here: https://mosaicbc.org/our-services/health-and-counselling/
DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society
DIVERSEcity provides settlement and mental health services across three campuses in Surrey, BC, and offers programs and services in person as well as virtually. Its mental health and substance-use programs offer free, culturally informed and confidential counselling in several languages, including Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Dari and Farsi.
More information can be found here: https://www.dcrs.ca/our-services/mental-health-and-substance-use-services/.
Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture (VAST)
VAST provides specialized mental health support for refugees who have experienced torture, political violence, persecution, or other forms of trauma. Services include individual and group counselling, referrals, workshops, and documentation of psychological trauma for refugee claim processes.
More information can be found on their website: https://www.vastbc.ca/.
If you need immediate support because you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, help is available:
Call or text 9-8-8 – National Suicide Crisis Helpline, available 24/7.
Call 9-1-1 if there is an immediate danger or emergency.
Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) – B.C. Suicide Prevention Line.
Call 310-6789 – B.C. Mental Health Support Line, available 24/7.
If this article resonated with you, we can also help.
At Emotion Wise Counselling we work with people throughout Vancouver and across BC who are struggling with the immigration process, as well as those who have experienced trauma either in their country of origin, in the migration process and/or in Canada. We provide a space to talk through these experiences as well as provide trauma counselling to help you find healing from your past.
How To Begin Counselling with Emotion Wise:
1. Reach out to set up a free consultation call with one of therapists who work with Immigrants and Refugees in Vancouver by emailing info@emotionwise.ca or booking a free consultation online at emotionwise.janeapp.com.
2. If you have benefits, check to see if your benefit plan covers part or all of the fee of counselling.
University and College benefit plans may cover fees associated with counselling
Your work plan may cover counselling, check and see if you are covered by an RCC or RSW for therapy
We have counsellors who are able to work with Refugees and Asylum seekers through the Federal Government's Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
We also offer low-cost therapy and sliding scale therapy through our supervised Internship program.
Our current Intern, Harminder Takhar (BSW, RSW) is offering low cost therapy between September and April 2026. Harminder has professional experience working with immigrants and refugees navigating displacement, trauma, and migration.
Her rates are $50 per session with additional sliding scale ($10-$40 per session) for those in need. Sliding scale is based on financial need. Please inquire directly.
We are happy to walk you through the process at any time by email at info@emotionwise.ca or phone at 236-412-2539 if you are facing any challenges in booking an appointment.
Written by Harminder Takhar (BSW, RSW) Graduate Intern Therapist at Emotion Wise Counselling.
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