Mental Health Resources
Access valuable mental health resources, support groups, and treatment facilities in Calgary to aid in your recovery and well-being.
Mental Health Resources in Calgary
Calgary offers a range of mental health resources that cater to various needs. Here are some of the key resources and programs available:
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline Dialing 988 connects individuals with trained counselors for 24/7, confidential support during mental health crises or suicidal emergencies. This lifeline offers immediate assistance and guidance, emphasizing safety, understanding, and empowerment for those in need.
24 Hour Crisis Line
The Distress Centre of Calgary provides 24-hour crisis support in the Calgary and southern Alberta regions through phone, text, and chat services. Call or Text 403-266-HELP (4537)
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Calgary Region
CMHA is a non-profit organization that provides advocacy, education, housing, counselling, and various programs for mental health, such as substance abuse, mental health challenges, or loss, offering emotional support, life coaching, programming, and referrals to other community resources
Kids Help Phone
A 24/7 mental health service offering confidential support in English and French to youth across Canada, providing mental health tips, crisis support, and professional counselling. Call 1800-668-6868 or Text 686868
2SLGBTQI+ Support
Calgary Outlink is dedicated to supporting and connecting the gender and sexually diverse community in Calgary, Alberta. They focus on fostering inclusivity, addressing social issues, and promoting a welcoming environment for 2SLGBTQ+
individuals.
Detox Facilities
Alpha House
A non-profit organization that offers a range of services and support for individuals struggling with alcohol and drug dependencies. Their programs include shelter, detox, outreach, and housing initiatives aimed at fostering recovery and community reintegration
Renfrew Recovery Centre
Operated by Alberta Health Services, is a specialized facility dedicated to providing comprehensive addiction treatment and recovery services. The centre offers medically supported detoxification and stabilization programs, along with resources for continued addiction care and support.
Safe Harbour Society
Based in Red Deer, Alberta, they offer a range of services including emergency shelter, medically supported detox, outreach and 211 diversion, Indigenous support, and housing services. These programs are aimed at addressing the diverse needs of Central Alberta’s residents, focusing on recovery and stable housing solutions
Mutual Aid Groups with Meetings in Calgary
Alcoholics Anonymous
A fellowship of individuals who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Cocaine Anonymous
A fellowship of people who share their experiences, strengths, and hopes with one another to resolve their common problem and support others in recovering from addiction
Narcotics Anonymous
A non-profit community of people for whom drugs had been a significant issue, offering recovery through a 12-step program and regular group meetings
Refuge Recovery
A mindfulness-based addiction recovery community practicing Buddhist philosophy as the foundation of the recovery process, inclusive of all identities.
SMART Recovery
A global network providing a self-empowering addiction recovery support system based on scientific research, utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, open to all
Treatment Facilities in Calgary
Sandstone Inpatient Treatment Centre (Edgewood Health)
Offers a comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment program. Their services, supported by a skilled clinical team, include a variety of therapies like CBT, DBT, individual and group therapy, art therapy, and relapse prevention, all focused on achieving lasting recovery and addressing related mental health issues
Recovery Acres
1835 House, operated by Recovery Acres Calgary Society, caters to individuals who self-identify as male, focusing on their specific recovery needs. Recovery Acres also provides services for women and non-binary individuals, ensuring a tailored approach to treatment for each client based on their identity and needs.
Sunrise Healing Lodge
Offers addiction treatment programs for men, women, and families, focusing on the recovery from alcohol, drug, and gambling addictions through Indigenous-based methods. This unique approach includes cultural practices and spirituality integrated with the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, featuring activities like Sweats, Pipe Ceremonies, and Indigenous teachings
Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (AARC)
Offers a comprehensive treatment program for adolescents aged 12 to 21 with substance use disorder, involving not just the youth but also their families in the recovery process. This community-centric approach, grounded in understanding addiction’s multidimensional nature, supports both adolescents and their families, emphasizing total abstinence and long-term recovery.
Fresh Start Recovery Centre (Men Only)
Dedicated to helping men overcome addiction through comprehensive recovery programs that include structured living, counseling, and peer support. They focus on a holistic approach to addiction treatment, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of recovery.
Simon House (Men Only)
Provides addiction treatment and recovery programs for men. Their approach focuses on long-term residential treatment, integrating psychological, social, and spiritual elements to support comprehensive recovery and personal growth.
Aventa Centre of Excellence for Women in Recovery (Women Only)
Aventa specializes in providing comprehensive live-in addiction treatment services specifically for women, focusing on holistic recovery and well-being, including immediate support for pregnant women to reduce Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder risks
Alcove (Women Only)
Offers specialized addiction treatment services in Calgary, focusing on supporting women through a recovery journey tailored to their unique needs. Their approach emphasizes a safe, nurturing environment, combining clinical and holistic methods to foster long-term recovery and personal empowerment.
Selection of Government Programs
Calgary offers a range of mental health resources that cater to various needs. Here are some of the key resources and programs available:
Adult Addiction Services
Located at 707 10 Avenue SW in Calgary, this program offers non-medical treatment for alcohol, drug, gambling, or sex addiction, including outpatient counseling, educational groups, and a four-week intensive day treatment program. All services are voluntary, confidential, and free of charge.
Opioid Dependency Program
Based at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre, this program provides Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) medications like methadone and Suboxone, along with psychosocial support for individuals with opioid use disorder. Services include ongoing support, monitoring, health and risk reduction teaching, and links to other addiction treatment and support systems.
Safeworks Harm Reduction Program
Operated from the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre, Safeworks aims to reduce risks and improve health outcomes for drug users and populations affected by HIV and HCV. The program includes risk reduction supplies, overdose prevention, testing and counseling for various diseases, and comprehensive physical and mental health assessments.
Supervised Consumption Service
This service, also at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre, offers a monitored, hygienic environment for people to use pre-obtained drugs, reducing harm from substance use. It includes medical interventions, sterile supplies, education on harm reduction, and connection to recovery-oriented services.
Injectable Opioid Agonist Therapy Program
The program at the Sheldon Chumir Health Centre offers outpatient treatment for individuals with severe Opioid Use Disorder, particularly those not successful with methadone or Suboxone. It provides clinically supervised settings and medically prescribed hydromorphone for direct injection.
Women's Shelters
These shelters provide essential services and support to women and children in Calgary, addressing specific needs such as safety from domestic violence, cultural sensitivity, and transitional living arrangements
Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter
Also known as the Fear Is Not Love Society, provides an Emergency Shelter for women and children, offering food, clothing, counselling and support. They also provide a Men’s Counselling Service for anger and abuse management, and the Healthy Relationships Program, focused on youth education in healthy dating and family dynamics.
Nisa Homes
Nisa Homes is a specialized transitional shelter in Calgary that accommodates vulnerable Muslim women and their children escaping domestic violence. It is a project of the National Zakat Foundation and operates in addition to three other locations in Ontario and British Columbia.
Ruth’s House
Offers a community home for women and children (including pets) experiencing family violence in the African Community, providing a safe, low-security transitional space with the freedom for clients to care for themselves. Upon arrival, families receive comprehensive support including a move-in intake interview, a personal case worker, essential supplies like toiletries and clean clothes, culturally appropriate food, medical and legal support if needed, and access to various resources and programs such as counseling and financial assistance