Last updated: December 2008 by Victoria Stuart
If you are unsure, call 911 and describe the situation to the operator.
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of British Columbia
The Distress Line - Crisis and Information Lines in BC provides confidential, non-judgmental, free emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including feelings which may lead to suicide. We are here for you if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or you just want to talk to someone. You don't have to be suicidal to call us.
Our 24/7 Distress Line: The Distress Line provides confidential, non-judgmental, free emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including feelings which may lead to suicide. We are here for you if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or you just want to talk to someone. You don't have to be suicidal to call us. We're more than just resources. We're help.
Distress Line Numbers:
Vancouver Coastal Health: Transgender Health Program
Tel: 604-734-1514 or 1-866-999-1514 (B.C. only)
An anonymous and confidential free service for anyone living in BC who has a transgender health question.
Assists in gender identity development; gender-variance in children and adolescents; standards of care for youth undergoing gender transition; programs for children of gender-variant parents; and risk assessment.
Tel: 604-684-6869
Toll-free: 1-800-566-1170
The Prideline is The Centre's peer support/information/referral phone line. It operates 7 days per week from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. serving our communities both locally and province wide. The Prideline is staffed by trained volunteers.
The Prideline provides information on social and community events; tourist information; referrals to social service agencies, support groups, LGTB friendly doctors or therapists; and information on services offered at The Centre itself. In addition, The Prideline offers peer support services. People can call the line to talk about a concern or issue that is troubling them.
The Prideline receives calls on issues ranging from coming out, relationship conflict, work place difficulties, and parenting issues to calls touching on same sex domestic violence and suicide. Prideline volunteers are not counsellors, rather they can offer active listening, support, and help a caller or walk-in explore possible options for resolving their situation.
Looking for information or resources? Just need someone to talk to? Call The Prideline!
The Vancouver Gender Alliance (VGA: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vancouvergenderalliance) is a transgender support group serving Vancouver!
The aims / "mission statement / vision"of the Vancouver Gender Alliance include mutual support, education, outreach, and leadership.
The Vancouver Gender Alliance is open to any gender-diverse individual (e.g., crossdresser, transgender, transsexual, intersexed, questioning, ...), as well as their significant others including allies, spouses, family members, and close friends.
Sincerely,
Victoria S. ☺
Personal website: victoriasjourney.com
E-mail: mail@victoriasjourney.com
Queerlings East Side Youth Group
1661 Napier Street, Vancouver, B.C. V5L 4X4
Tel: 604-718-5828
Email: brit_teen@hotmail.com
Group for gay, lesbian and transgendered youth aged 16-26 who reside in Vancouver's east side.
Offers social activities, videos, guest speakers, group discussion and participation in community events
Meets 7:30pm-10pm Thursdays. Support provided by a trained youth worker and a social worker.
Email: info@pflagvancouver.com
Tel: 604-626-5667
Welcome to PFLAG Vancouver: We provide support for all family members and friends. We work to create an environment of understanding so our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered children can live with dignity and respect.
The following site provides a very comprehensive listing of services and resources:
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of British Columbiap> The Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of British Columbia is a volunteer driven organization committed to helping people help themselves and others deal with crisis 24-Hour Distress Line Numbers:
Resources:
This is a partial list, edited here for brevity (#'s in parentheses indicate the # of links provided - Dec. 2008]:
The Centre: A Community Centre Serving and Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered and Bisexual People and their Allies
1170 Bute Street
Vancouver B.C. V6E 1Z6
Phone: 604-684-5307
Help line: 604-684-6869, 7 pm-10 pm, all week
Drop in, library services, advocacy, health clinic, support,counselling.
THE CENTRE is a community resource providing support, health and social services, and public education for the well being of lesbians, gay men, transgendered and bisexual people and their allies in Vancouver and throughout BC.
THE CENTRE is committed to building pride and acceptance of diversity and to mitigating the impact of homophobia, heterosexism, transphobia and biphobia.
THE CENTRE welcomes and values all people regardless of race, colour, religion, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and source of income.
AIDS Vancouver Helpline: 604-893-2222
Anonymous and confidential information for anyone concerned about about HIV and AIDS.
Our trained volunteers are available from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
If you cannot reach us, please leave a message and we will get back to you within 36 hours.
Our volunteers are not medical or counseling professionals, but they can provide you with information and referrals if you want to know more about:
Legal Services Society - Legal aid, British Columbia
We're here to help. If you have a legal problem but can't afford a lawyer, the Legal Services Society (LSS) has a range of free services that may help you. LSS is the non-profit organization that provides legal aid to British Columbians. Legal aid services include:
Apply for legal representation:
Carnegie Community Centre: Help in the Vancouver East Side
[Dec. 2008] This is another very comprehensive listing:
Medical and psychiatric resources, locations and resources for free food, ... (with addresses and telephone numbers provided on their website):
c/o 1170 Bute Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6E 1Z6
This site provides another very comprehensive listing of transgender-related support resources and services, plus advice in seeking care.
Disabled individuals in Vancouver can qualify for free bus (transit) passes:
Annual transit pass for people receiving the federal Old Age Security (OAS) and either the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or Spouse's Allowance; or age 60 to 64 and receiving income assistance; or receiving income assistance for persons with disability.
The cost is $45 per year.
B.C. Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance (MEIA)
PO Box 9058 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, B.C. V8W 9E2
Head Office: 250-356-7750
Web: www.eia.gov.bc.ca
The MEIA helps people obtain sustainable employment, and provides income support. This listing is divided into two sections: regional offices, and province-wide programs and services. Local offices then follow, listed under Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance (MEIA) - B.C. Employment and Assistance Offices.
Administration - Regional Offices:
You can apply in person at a legal aid office, or over the phone by calling the Call Centre.
Some helpful phone numbers:
Province-wide Programs and Services:
Home: VictoriasJourney.com