Are there any free mental health support services?
Calgary offers a wide range of government and non-profit programs for emergency assistance, short-term counseling, group classes, and ongoing support—free of charge or for a nominal fee.
1. 24/7 emergency crisis assistance
| Service | Contact | Type of support | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distress Centre Calgary | 403-266-HELP (4357), chat, SMS | Crisis counseling, up to 6 free sessions | Free | ConnecTeen for youth: 403-264-8336 |
| 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline | 9-8-8 | Canadian suicide prevention helpline | Free | Calls and text 24/7 |
| Alberta Mental Health Helpline | 1-877-303-2642 | Information, counseling, referrals | Free | Support in multiple languages |
2. Alberta Health Services Single Door
| Program | Contact | Services | Who is eligible | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access Mental Health | 403-943-1500 (Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) | Telephone assessment, referral to public and community programs | Adults, youth, children | Free |
| Community Addiction & Mental Health Clinics | Self-referral through Access Mental Health | Psychiatric consultation, individual/group therapy | Moderate/severe disorders, 18+ | Covered by Alberta Health Care |
How it works:
- Call Access Mental Health
- Complete a screening
- Receive a referral to CAMHC or another program — no fees
3. Peer support and low-threshold programs
| Organization | Services | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMHA Calgary – Community Navigator | Peer meetings, Recovery College groups, YouthSMART for teens | Online/offline | Free |
| Recovery College (CMHA) | Educational courses: stress, anxiety, self-esteem | Groups of 6–12 people | Free |
| Community Connect YYC | Platform for quick booking of multicultural counseling | Online, 24/7 | $0–$50 (barrier-free) |
4. Sliding-scale therapy
| Center | Payment model | Waiting time | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Counselling Centre | “Pay-what-you-can” — income-based payment, can be $0 | 3–5 days | Individual, couple, group sessions (up to 20) |
| Distress Centre Counselling | Up to 6 free sessions | 1–2 weeks | Option to repeat cycle after 6 months |
5. Specialized and mobile services
- Urgent Psychiatric Clinics (AHS): hospital emergency rooms and Urgent Care; free with Alberta Health Care.
- AHS Mobile Response Teams: crisis teams for those who cannot get to a clinic.
- Indigenous Community Programs (Indigenous Services Canada): culturally appropriate support on reserves and in urban centers.
6. How to access resources
- Identify your need: – Crisis → call 403-266-HELP or 9-8-8 – Non-emergency support → call 403-943-1500 (Access Mental Health)
-
Make an appointment:
– Get an initial assessment by phone; you will be matched with a program. - Prepare your documents: – Alberta Health Care Card, list of medications/diagnoses, family doctor's contact information.
- **Attend a session: – Crisis — same day; others — within 1–3 weeks.
- Consider next steps: – After free sessions, transition to a sliding-scale or group program.
7. Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a referral from my family doctor? No. Access Mental Health, Distress Centre, and CMHA accept walk-ins.
- How many free sessions are available? – Crisis services: 1 session – Distress Centre Counselling: up to 6 sessions – Calgary Counselling Centre: up to 20 sessions (then sliding scale)
- Are there Ukrainian-speaking services? Yes. Community Connect YYC and Calgary Counselling Centre have Ukrainian-speaking counselors — please check when registering.
Conclusion: There are many free and subsidized mental health support options in Calgary. Start with Access Mental Health or Distress Centre, then choose from group and sliding-scale programs to find the option that works best for you.