What organizations support immigrants in overcoming stress?

Calgary is one of Canada's most multicultural cities, home to over a million people from around the world. For new immigrants, adapting to a new life is often accompanied by significant stress related to language barriers, cultural differences, finding work and housing, and feelings of isolation. Fortunately, Calgary has an extensive network of organizations that specialize in providing psychological support and stress relief for immigrants and refugees.

Key organizations supporting immigrant mental health

Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA)

The Calgary Immigrant Women's Association provides comprehensive support to immigrant women, girls, and their families through more than 50 programs.

Key mental health services:

  • Professional psychological support in your native language
  • Individual, couple, and family counseling
  • Support groups for men and women
  • Referrals to community and clinical resources
  • Educational seminars on mental health issues

Contact:

  • Phone: 403-263-4414
  • Address: 200-138 4th Avenue SE

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS)

The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society is the largest immigrant-serving organization in the Prairie provinces of Canada. It has been providing resettlement and integration services since 1981.

Specialized programs:

  • Community support for victims of torture
  • Ethnic youth and family program
  • Refugee Resilience Centre

Contact:

  • Phone: 403-262-2006
  • Address: 1111 11th Avenue SW

Centre for Newcomers (CFN)

The Centre for Newcomers offers a Therapy & Support Centre for clients and families of all nationalities.

Main services:

  • Become the Best Version of Yourself Program
  • Professional psychotherapy and counseling
  • Psychoeducational seminars (parenting, healthy relationships, cultural sensitivity)
  • Stress management and emotional regulation

Contact:

  • Phone: 403-569-3325
  • Address: 565-36 Street NE

The Immigrant Education Society (TIES)

TIES implements the TIES Healthy Minds program, created specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Innovative services:

  • Online psychoeducational seminars
  • Counseling (individual, family, group)
  • Multisensory wellness space (TIES Wellness Space)

Contact:

  • Phone: 587-393-3414
  • Multiple locations in Calgary

Crisis services and 24/7 support

Distress Centre Calgary

Distress Centre Calgary provides 24/7 crisis support.

Services:

  • Phone, text, chat
  • Crisis support for people with cultural barriers
  • Follow-up and counseling services

Contact:

  • Phone: 403-266-4357 (24 hours)

Alberta Health Services Mental Health Help Line

Alberta Health Services 24-hour mental health line:

  • Phone: 1-877-303-2642

Specialized services for diverse communities

Jewish Family Service Calgary (JFSC)

JFSC offers counseling for individuals, children, families, and groups, as well as a support line for short-term intervention.

Contact:

  • Phone: 403-287-3510

The Alex Community Health Centre

The Alex provides integrated health and social services to vulnerable communities within the Community Wellness Initiative model.

Ukrainian Community Support

St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor

Ukrainian Humanitarian Aid Program:

  • Housing search
  • Support with basic needs
  • Volunteer programs

Contact:

  • Phone: 403-264-3437
  • Address: 404 Meredith Rd NE

Ukrainian Canadian Congress Calgary

UCC Calgary coordinates resources for the Ukrainian community and newly arrived refugees.

Educational institutions with mental health support

Bow Valley College

Free and confidential wellness services for students:

  • Individual counseling
  • Support groups
  • Workshops and training

Systemic initiatives and coordination

Action Dignity

Working to improve the experience of racialized communities through transformative systemic change in mental health.

Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA)

Organizational Mental Health Self-Audit Tool for organizations serving immigrants.

Alberta 211

Counseling and information in over 170 languages:

  • Number: 211

Conclusions

Calgary has one of the most developed immigrant support networks in Canada. Organizations provide:

  • Cultural sensitivity through multicultural staff and services in native languages
  • A holistic approach that takes into account housing, employment, and social integration
  • Accessibility of services: mostly free or affordable
  • Specialized programs for refugees, trauma survivors, and members of diverse cultures

Help is available, and seeking psychological support is a normal part of adjusting to life in Canada.