The Overcoming Obstacles Handbook – Vancouver, B.C. edition
Whether it’s physical, financial, professional or psychological, everybody goes through tough times in their lives. Lifestyle Citizens’ founder Josh Martin was 28 years old when he experienced his biggest challenge yet: an aggressive form of leukemia. Inspired by his journey, the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook is a free collection of real-life stories, practical advice and local resources in the Vancouver community geared at helping people who are facing adversity.
Scroll below to download your FREE copy and to find local resources.
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This project is made possible by the generous support of the following local businesses.
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Download the Vancouver Overcoming Obstacles Handbook
Community Resources in the Vancouver area
One of the most important lessons Josh learned from his health crisis was the importance of community. Whether it was accessing peer support programs, using the Cancer Society’s shuttle service to get to appointments or tapping into educational materials from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, community resources played a big role in his success.
Whatever obstacle you face in life — personally, professionally or otherwise — be sure to consider the resources available in your community. Fortunately, the Vancouver area boasts all kinds of organizations and programs focused on helping folks overcome a variety of obstacles.
Below, you’ll find information about some of them. This listing is by no means exhaustive, but it will hopefully give you a flavour of the kinds of resources available in your own backyard.
Mental health
Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC
Mental health support line: 310-6789
https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/
Here to Help
(BC Partners for Mental health & Substance Use Information)
http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/about-us
Online crisis support for youth
https://youthinbc.com/
Online crisis support for adults
https://crisiscentrechat.ca/
Suicide prevention helpline
1800SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
Community mental health services
(Vancouver Coastal Health)
http://www.vch.ca/your-care/mental-health-substance-use/community-mental-health-services
Local mental health and substance abuse programs
http://www.vch.ca/your-care/mental-health-substance-use
HealthLink BC – Mental health resources
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health
Local therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/bc/vancouver
Anxiety therapists and counsellors
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/anxiety/bc/vancouver
Depression therapists and counsellors
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/depression/bc/vancouver
Physical health
Find a local physiotherapist
https://opa.on.ca/physiotherapists/
Find a local registered massage therapist
https://www.rmtbc.ca
Find a local chiropractor
https://members.bcchiro.com/code/find.php
Alzheimer Society of B.C.
https://alzheimer.ca/en/bc
Canadian Cancer Society – B.C.
http://www.cancer.ca/en/?region=bc
Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon
885 Dunsmuir St Suite #200, Vancouver
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/
Deaf, hard of hearing, & deaf-blind well-being program
http://deafwellbeing.vch.ca/
Special needs programs
http://www.kidsvancouver.com/directory/term/14#
Special needs caregivers in Vancouver
https://www.care.com/en-ca/profiles/special-needs/vancouver
Accessibility programs and services
(City of Vancouver)
https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/accessible-city.aspx
Seniors First BC
http://seniorsfirstbc.ca/
Seniors’ programs and support
(City of Vancouver)
https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/accessible-city.aspx
Families and individuals
Family Services of Greater Vancouver
https://fsgv.ca/
Family Services North Shore
http://www.familyservices.bc.ca/
Vancouver Family Connections
(community programs for parents, children and youth)
https://www.vancouverfamilyconnections.org/
Westcoast Family Centres
(family programs, workshops, counselling and more)
https://www.westcoastfamily.org/
Youth engagement and support
(City of Vancouver)
https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/youth.aspx
Local grief counsellors and therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/grief/bc/vancouver
BC Bereavement Helpline
604-738-9950
http://www.bcbh.ca/
Lower Mainland Grief Recovery Society
(grief support groups)
http://lmgr.ca/
LGBT2Q+ programs
http://www.vch.ca/public-health/health-topics-a-z/topics/lgbt2q+
https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/lgbtq-community.aspx
Divorce counsellors
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/divorce/bc/vancouver
Emergency shelters and support
Homeless shelter locations throughout Vancouver
https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/homeless-shelters.aspx
Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre
http://dewc.ca/
Bridge Housing for Women
https://www.atira.bc.ca/bridge-transition-program-women-0
Powell Place
(The Bloom Group)
http://www.thebloomgroup.org/our-work/women-children/
The Rice Block
(housing program for women)
http://www.atira.bc.ca/rice-block-support-recovery-housing-women
Greater Vancouver Food Bank
https://foodbank.bc.ca/
Find a local food bank
https://www.foodbanksbc.com/find-a-food-bank/
Financial and professional
Career guidance counsellors
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/career-guidance/bc/vancouver
WorkBC
(career planning programs)
https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs-Careers/Explore-Careers/Plan-Your-Career.aspx
Employment programs and services
(YWCA Metro Vancouver)
https://ywcavan.org/programs/employment-programs-services
Employment services – YMCA of Greater Vancouver
https://gv.ymca.ca/Programs/Categories/employment-services
Drive Youth Employment Services
http://www.driveyouthemployment.ca/
Vancouver credit counselling
https://www.nomoredebts.org/canada/bc/vancouver/credit-counselling.html
Newcomers
WelcomeBC
(services and programs for newcomers)
https://www.welcomebc.ca/Resources-For/Communities-Service-Providers/Services-and-programs-for-newcomers
MOSAIC B.C.
(settlement, employment, language, refugee and other programs)
https://www.mosaicbc.org/
Getting started in Vancouver
(resources prepared by Immigrant Services Society of BC)
https://issbc.org/our-resource/getting-started-in-bc
Immigrant services
(YMCA of Greater Vancouver)
https://gv.ymca.ca/Programs/Categories/immigrant-services
Newcomer Employment Support Program
https://www.options.bc.ca/program/newcomer-employment-support-program
Want to help others in your community overcome obstacles? Here are few local opportunities to consider:
Go Volunteer
(local volunteer opportunities)
https://www.govolunteer.ca/
Blood donor clinics
(search “Vancouver” for nearby clinics)
https://blood.ca
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Vancouver
https://www.bigbrothersvancouver.com/
Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver
https://www.habitatgv.ca/