Support Services for
Physicians and their Families
Resources in British Columbia
Physician-Specific Resources
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British Columbia Physician Health Program (PHP)
About: Provides 24/7 confidential support for physicians in BC seeking to pursue counselling, coaching, addressing career and life transitions, strengthening professional relationships, experiencing substance use, finding a family physician, and addressing concerns for a colleague’s well-being. In addition, the PHP allows users to directly connect with a physician colleague for peer-to-peer support. PHP services are available to all BC physicians, medical students, residents, and retired physicians.
Contact Information: 1-800-663-6729
Availability: 24/7
About: Doctors of BC has many provincial supports available to physicians such as Insurance Advisors, a Practice Support Program, support for physician leadership training, and more.
Contact Information: 1-800-665-2262
Availability: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm PT (Mon – Fri)
Doctors of BC Regional Advisors and Advocates
About: Doctors of BC has a team of Regional Advisors and Advocates (RAAs) who support physicians in the communities where they live and work. They are the first point of contact to assist you in seeking services and support from Doctors of BC.
Contact Information: List of RAAs and Contact Information
Availability: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm PT (Mon – Fri)
About: Offers confidential, non-clinical, emotional support to physicians facing a range of work and life-related challenges. These programs are tailored to the specific needs of each physician community and delivered by trained Peer Supporters, who are fellow physicians, offering a unique understanding of the stresses and pressures faced by those in medicine.
Contact Information: List of Peer Support Programs
About: Resident Doctors of BC (RDBC) is a professional association that represents 1,300 resident doctors working across the province. RDBC offers various initiatives to encourage resident wellness such as an after-hours food program, resident lounge support, group sports funding, and more.
Contact Information: 1-888-877-2722
Availability: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm PT (Mon – Fri)
First Nation Health Authority
Virtual Substance Use and Psychiatry Service
About: Provides individuals with access to specialists in addictions medicine and psychiatry as well as mental health and allied health care professionals. This is a referral-based service and is available at no cost to all First Nations people and their families living in BC.
Contact Information: fnvsups@fnha.ca
Availability: Substance Use and Addictions Medicine: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm PT (Mon - Fri) |
Psychiatry: 9:30 am – 3:00 pm PT (Mon - Fri)
Fraser Health Authority
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
About: Provides professional, confidential support services and programs for employees to help with common life challenges. All Fraser Health staff and medical staff, and their families, are eligible to use this service. EFAP offers counselling services, as well as work life-oriented services such as legal services, nutrition services, health coaching, family services, financial support services, and crisis support.
Contact Information: 1-844-880-9142 | EFAP Website
Availability: 24/7
About: Provides immediate, free, and confidential emotional support, crisis intervention and community resource information to people of all ages.
Contact Information: 1-877-820-7444
Availability: 24/7
Interior Health
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
About: Provides crisis counselling support and referral to community resources.
Contact Information: 1-844-751-2133
Availability: 24/7
Northern Health
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
About: Provides confidential clinical counselling, work-health-life information, professional advice, and online resources on topics such as family support services, clinical counselling, professional advice, and nutrition and health coaching.
Contact Information: 1-844-880-9142 | Online (search “Northern Health Authority”)
Availability: 24/7
Provincial Health Services Authority
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
About: Provides professional, confidential, and proactive services to support employees and their dependent family members with a wide range of personal, family, and work-related concerns.
Contact Information: 1-800-663-1142
Availability: 24/7
University of British Columbia
About: A first point of contact for students’ mental health concerns – whether they would like to see a doctor, counsellor, or get more information on support services at University of British Columbia (UBC) and beyond.
Contact Information: 1-604-822-3811
Availability: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm PT (Mon - Fri)
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
About: Provides confidential and voluntary counselling support services that provide employees and their family with help they need to solve a wide range of personal, work, health, or life issues.
Contact Information: 1-866-424-0770 | ubc.lifeworks.com
Availability: 24/7
About: The Faculty of Medicine encourages all learners to report their experiences or concerns about mistreatment in the learning environment. If learners feel that they have experienced or witnessed mistreatment or have concerns about their learning environment, they are encouraged to report it.
Contact Information: Report Online | Contact Someone Directly
Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI)
About: Offers a comprehensive range of services encompassing education, training, consultation, and guidance. These services empower leaders, faculty, staff, and learners to actively contribute to the Faculty’s culture change initiatives.
Contact Information: 1-604-827-3664 | redi.office@ubc.ca
Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO)
About: A confidential place for those who have experienced, or been impacted by, any form of sexual or gender-based violence, harassment, or harm, regardless of where or when it took place. They aim to be a safer space for all by respecting each person’s unique and multiple identities and experiences. All genders and sexualities are welcome.
Contact Information: 1-604-822-1588 | svpro.vancouver@ubc.ca
Availability: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm PT (Mon - Fri)
About: Provides confidential individual advising on a wide range of personal and professional concerns including career planning, financial management, and health and safety. Student Affairs deans are available to support via video-conference, email, or phone.
Contact Information: md.studentaffairs@ubc.ca
Availability: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm PT (Mon - Fri)
About: Provides access to physical and mental health care.
Contact Information: Koerner Pavilion Student Health Service Clinic: 1-604-822-7011 | Orchard Commons Clinic: 1-604-827-0883
Availability: Koerner Pavilion Student Health Service Clinic Hours| Orchard Commons Clinic Hours
University of British Columbia (UBC) Resident Wellness Office
About: The Resident Wellness Office is committed to providing confidential support services that meet the unique needs of residents and their partners. They help empower residents to take care of their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being by facilitating a community of care amongst the resident body through evidence-based counselling services, workshops, support groups, wellness initiatives, and research.
Contact Information: resident.wellness@ubc.ca
Availability: Book Appointment
Vancouver Coastal Health
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
About: All residents are eligible for services through the Vancouver Coastal Health LifeWorks Employee and Family Assistance Program. Services include counselling, financial support, and elderly and child care (full list of supports can be found here).
Contact Information: Login to the VCH Portal to access services
Availability: 24/7
Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line
About: Provides support and a safe space for those who are experiencing a mental health crisis. They offer a dedicated space where feelings are heard, valued, and respected.
Contact Information: 1-604-872-3311
Availability: 24/7
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
About: Provides confidential and innovative wellness support to employees and their families/dependents on concerns related to mental, financial, and physical and emotional well-being.
Contact Information: 1-844-935-4758 | Online
Availability: 24/7
Island Health’s Mental and Substance Use Service Link
About: Provides information or help navigating services. The line is answered by a caller taker every day of the week.
Contact Information: 1-888-885-8824
Availability: Daily
Community-Based Resources
About: A free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 13+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress, or worry. Delivered online or over the phone with a coach, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.
Contact Information: 1-866-639-0522 | bounceback@cmha.bc.ca
Canadian Mental Health Association – British Columbia Division
About: Provides advocacy and resources to help and prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive.
Contact Information: 1-800-555-8222 | Mental Health Information, Referral, or Support: help@cmha.bc.ca | General Emails: info@cmha.bc.ca
About: A peer support service for those working in healthcare. They provide non-judgmental and confidential mental health support.
Contact Information: 1-866-802-7337
Availability: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm PT (Mon - Wed) and 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm PT (Mon - Fri)
About: Provides information related to mental health and substance use.
Contact Information: bcpartners@heretohelp.bc.ca
About: Provides 24-hour culturally aware crisis support through education, prevention, and intervention programs for Indigenous peoples in BC.
Contact Information: 1-800-588-8717
Availability: 24/7
About: Based out of the University of British Columbia and is part of the Men’s Depression and Suicide Network, a Canada-wide initiative to develop resources, services, and programs to improve the mental health and well-being of men. They have a team of clinicians, researchers, and mental health advocates and bring together their expertise and personal experiences to provide resources.
Contact Information: info@headsupguys.org
About: Offers support to the community through crisis intervention and suicide prevention lines and diverse array of workshops and support services.
Contact Information: BC Mental Health and Crisis Response: 310-6789 |
BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
Availability: 24/7
About: Provides support and a safe space for those who are experiencing a mental health crisis. They offer a dedicated space where feelings are heard, valued, and respected.
Contact Information: 1-888-353-2273 | Online Chat
Availability: 24/7 *Online Chat only available 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm PT (Thurs - Sun)
About: Provides immediate crisis intervention and support for variety of issues including relationship troubles, depression and anxiety, financial issues, and bullying.
Contact Information: 1-833-Metis-BC (1-833-638-4722)
Availability: 24/7
About: An evidence-based, free online service that makes it easier to find the help needed for depression, anxiety, and other mental health and substance use conditions.
Northern BC Crisis Prevention, Intervention, and Information Centre
About: Provides 24/7 crisis prevention, intervention, and information centre in Northern BC for anyone feeling overwhelmed, depressed, suicidal, or needing someone to listen.
Contact Information: 1-888-562-1214
Availability: 24/7
About: Provides short-term, non-judgmental support, crisis intervention, information, and resources.
Contact Information: Call: 1-888-494-3888 | Text: 1-250-800-3806 | Crisis Chat: Online
Availability: Calls: 24/7 |Text and Online Chat: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm PT every day
About: Provides confidential support for victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse across BC and Yukon.
Contact Information: Call or Text: 1-800-563-0808| VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca
Availability: 24/7