Accessing professional help

Reference source: Getting Help

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• There are many different clinicians who can provide mental health support. These are not the only people who can help you; friends, family, faith leaders, community elders, mentors, and teachers can be excellent sources of support as well. Not everybody will feel like the Western medical system can meet their needs, especially if they have identities or lived experiences that have been stigmatized by the health system or by wider society.
• Once you have decided who to contact for help, you will need to Prepare to talk to your doctor for your visit.

Who can provide professional help?

Your family doctor (general practitioner)

Your GP can rule out any physical causes for your symptoms, prescribe medications, listen to your concerns, and refer you to specialized services. Family doctors can be a main source of support for managing a mental illness. They are a good resource for information and a great place to start getting help. However, they don’t have the same extensive training in diagnosing and treating mental illness that a psychiatrist might have.

• You can see a doctor through a walk-in clinic or by appointment through a family practice. You can find a family doctor through the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons for a list of doctors accepting patients at www.cpsbc.ca or 1-800-461-3008 (toll-free in BC) or 604-733-7758 (in Greater Vancouver). Available in English only.
• You can access reviews of local GPs here.
• If you are looking for a trans-friendly general practitioner, contact TransCareBC at 1-866-999-1514 or email [email protected]
• To talk to a clinician for non-emergencies, call HealthLink BC at 811 for free and confidential health information and advice, 24/7. You can also speak to a pharmacist from 5 pm to 9 am. A CareCard is not required but can be helpful. Services in other languages are available.
• To access other help and crisis lines, check out this sheet: Phone, web, and chat services

Psychiatrists

• A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has a specialized degree in mental health. In Canada, becoming a fully certified psychiatrist takes thirteen years! This includes a four-year Bachelor’s degree, four years of medical school, one year of basic psychiatric training, and four years of residency. Psychiatrists have the ability to assess, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses. A large part of their role on a mental healthcare team is to help determine what medications might be appropriate for the patient, and to help the patient manage any side effects related to the medications. Patients usually see their psychiatrist every few weeks or months to ensure their medications are working as prescribed. Psychiatrist visits are covered under BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) if you have a referral from your family doctor. In a crisis, you can also see a psychiatrist without a referral through the Access and Assessment Centre at VGH.

Psychologists

• A registered clinical psychologist is someone who has completed a four-year Bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree (M.A. or M.Sc.), and a doctoral degree (Ph.D.). This can take ten to thirteen years total. Psychologists can assess and diagnose mental illnesses, and can perform different kinds of therapies as treatment. Psychologists cannot prescribe medications. While psychologist visits are usually not covered by MSP, you can access cost-free psychology through a community mental health team or hospital visit. Indigenous folks with status can access the National Indigenous Health Benefit while provides free therapy among other benefits.

Other Therapists

• These can include clinical counsellors, social workers, occupational therapists, and other types of therapists. These professionals can help you navigate mental illnesses and provide counselling. Counsellors cannot prescribe medication. You may be able to access low- or no-cost counselling programs in your community, but counselling is usually not covered by MSP.
• Vancouver services specific to trauma counselling can be found at Community services for trauma in Vancouver