Helpful Resources for
Professionals and Consumers
Resources
In our commitment to supporting both mental health professionals and individuals seeking reliable information, we’ve compiled a list of valuable resources. The following links include websites, podcasts, and videos that address anxiety and mood disorders, OCD and OCD-related disorders, chronic pain, psychological treatment options, and resources for parents
Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Canada
A comprehensive website that provides information about anxiety and anxiety disorders in adults, teens, and children. Also provides self-help treatment tools, blogs, podcasts, and information on low cost treatment options.Anxiety Canada – YouTube Channel
Anxiety Canada’s YouTube channel has a series of informational videos directed toward adults and teens, as well as cartoons for children providing information on various anxiety disorders.“Our Anxiety Stories” Podcast
A podcast hosted by Anxiety Canada that covers a range of topics related to anxiety and anxiety disorders. Interviews are conducted with mental health experts, as well as people with lived experience of struggling with anxiety.Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Website that provides information about anxiety and anxiety disorders to both the public and mental health professionals. Multiple informational resources on anxiety and mood disorders, including blogs, webinars, podcasts, and videos.Centre for Clinical Interventions
Australian website that provides detailed evidence-based self-help resources for various mental health concerns, including health anxiety, perfectionism, social anxiety, sleep difficulties, and more.National Center for PTSD
Comprehensive website developed by the US Department of Veteran Affairs that provides information about PTSD, including symptoms, subtypes, family support educational material, and treatment options.Toastmasters
A non-profit organization that hosts in-person and online groups designed to help people improve their skills and confidence in public speaking. This is a great resource for most anyone, and can be helpful for people struggling with social anxiety.
OCD & OCD-Related Disorders
International OCD Foundation
A website that contains multiple articles about OCD subtypes, treatment, and family/support resources (under the “Learn More about OCD” section).The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Website provides information about BFRBs (e.g., skin picking, hair pulling, nail biting) including FAQs, treatment, and support for families and schools.Made of Millions
A website containing many resources pertaining to mental health, with a focus on OCD.OCD UK
A UK website that provides extensive information on OCD, OCD subtypes, treatment options for those suffering with OCD, and family support.International OCD Foundation – Support Resource
A link to support groups throughout Canada and the U.S. for parents of adult children with OCD.NOCD – 10 must-listen podcasts for people with OCD
A list of 10 podcasts discussing various issues related to OCD, suggested by mental health professionals who specialize in the treatment of OCD.Looks, Books, and Lobotomies Podcast
A podcast hosted by Alegra Kastens, a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of OCD.Alegra Kastens on Armchair Expert Episode by Dax Shepherd
Podcast episode featuring Alegra Kastens speaking with Dax Sheperd. It provides some educational information about OCD that might be particularly helpful to friends and family who are supporting someone struggling with OCD.“The OCD Stories” Podcast
A long-running podcast that has a large library of talks/interviews that are a combination of people’s personal stories and interviews with experts engaged in evidence-based clinical and research work.Natasha Daniels – YouTube Channel
Natasha is an anxiety and OCD therapist who provides online resources for those with anxiety and OCD as well as resources for parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD. Her videos break it down into simple, actionable tips that get results. She offers anxiety solutions and OCD help in short, simple videos.“Relationship OCD” Blog
A blog on the Psychology Today website with multiple articles on issues related to ‘relationship OCD”. The articles are grounded in empirical evidence, and written by clinical psychologist, Dr. Ran Littman.
Mood Disorders
Centre for Clinical Interventions (Depression resources)
Website providing links to evidence-based self-help resources on depression (workbook, information sheets, and worksheets).Centre for Clinical Interventions (Bipolar Disorder resources)
Website providing links to evidence-based self-help resources on bipolar disorder (workbook, information sheets, and worksheets).Mood Disorders Association of BC
A non-profit organization that provides treatment and support options for people struggling with mood disorders through the province of BC.Mood Disorders Society of Canada
A non-profit organization that provides information on mood disorders, including latest research findings, educational information, support options, and provincial resources.
Chronic Pain
International Association For the Study of Pain
An international organization that supports the study and practice of pain and pain relief. Includes educational information and resources for people suffering from pain, as well as research findings and current outreach initiatives.Pain BC
British Columbia based organization focused on advocacy, education and training on chronic pain. Includes pain support and wellness resources, such as information on local support groups and podcasts on the topic of chronic pain.LivePlanBe
An online chronic pain self-management resource affiliated with Pain BC. Includes real stories of people living and managing chronic pain, audio and video recordings on the topic of pain and approaches to management, and an online self-help program that introduces skills and strategies to help improve quality of life.Retrain Pain
A website containing easy to read information and lessons on pain science and aspects of pain management.
Psychological Treatments
The Happiness Trap
This website offers a fee-based online course on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Informational resources about ACT are also provided under “free resources”.
Mindfulness – Twill YouTube videos
Brief animated videos providing information about mindfulness:
How to Meditate
A comprehensive website that provides information on how to meditate, as well as descriptions on various meditation styles, and audio recordings for guided meditation.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Christine Padesky – YouTube Channel
Dr. Padesky is a psychologist and established expert in the application of CBT to various mental health disorders. Her YouTube channel offers a number of videos geared toward clinicians and consumers that provide information and helpful tips for managing distress from a cognitive behavioural perspective.AI Therapy
This website offers a fee-based online CBT protocol for social anxiety, provided by psychologists and rigorously investigated through academic research for its efficacy. Information about symptoms, causes, and the cognitive-behavioural treatment of social anxiety are also provided.
Resources for Parents
Jan Stewart Podcasts
Jan is an advocate for mental health services and helping families to navigate the health system. Below are a series of podcasts where she has discussed these issues as they relate to autism, ADHD, OCD, and the challenges of raising children with neurodevelopmental disorders and anxiety.
Crisis Resources
Suicide Crisis Hotline/Crisis Centre of BC 988
The Crisis Centre of BC offers 24/7 immediate access to barrier-free, non-judgmental support via phone lines and online services, providing help and hope to individuals, organizations, and communities.
Phone or text: 9-8-8 or call 310-6789 (no area code needed)
http://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca/
1-800-SUICIDE
Provides a confidential, 24-hour toll-free crisis line for people who are feeling suicidal, are concerned for someone who might be suicidal, or for emotional support.
- 1-800-784-2433 – Toll Free BC Wide
- 604-872-3311 – Greater Vancouver
- 1-866-661-3311 – Howe Sound and Sunshine Coast
- 1-866-872-0113 – TTY
Youth in BC
Individuals under 25 years old in British Columbia and the Yukon can reach non-judgmental responders for free.
Text or call: 9-8-8 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call 310-6789 (no area code needed) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Chat: available from noon to midnight.
Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society
This website is offered as an Indigenous Crisis Line that provides immediate help 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to all Indigenous people across Canada.
Phone: 205-723-4050 (for adults), or 250-723-2040 (for youth)