Hello,

I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations or advice regarding mental health services in the Vancouver area?

I'm working on getting a handle on the processes here while considering a move to Vancouver with my Canadian partner.

There seems to be at least some coverage for mental health services through the province, but it's my understanding I'll benefit most from getting additional/extended health insurance to cover more/longer services.

Do I understand that correctly?

Any direction or guidance is greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much for taking the time.

In my experience, the only way I was able to easily access mental health services was while attending the University of Victoria. Government provided mental health seems to be mostly focused on substance abuse.

I would love if someone else chimed in, but yeah, you'd most likely have to go through private insurance as mental health seems to be ignored by the government in the same way dental health was.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/benefits/services-not-covered-by-msp

Services Not Covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP)

services of counsellors or psychologists;

MSP is the provincial health coverage program. You can check on the website to see what's covered a
Pnd what's not. We've also had luck calling them to talk to someone but be prepared to wait on hold, which may not work for you from out of province.