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Provincial Language Service (Province-wide)
The Provincial Language Service (PLS) was established by the Provincial Health Services Authority in 2003 to support the health system to more effectively meet the needs of BC’s culturally and linguistically diverse population. PLS has since grown to support not only the health system, but also many other clients across BC and Canada through on-site and on-demand interpreting in over 180 languages, as well as translation, consulting and training services.
In addition to partnering with organizations such as BC Mental Health & Addictions Services to translate evidence-based and culturally relevant mental health information for BC’s non- or limited-English speaking residents, PLS is able to provide interpreters that are specifically trained for the mental health setting.
Our training program, Interpreting in Mental Health: A Team Approach, complements the language and professional skills of our interpreters through 25 hours of workshop-based training. The program recognizes the influence of culture in mental health, and at the same time, provides a deeper understanding of the western approach to mental health definitions and context. Because the training is intended to position the interpreter as a member of the mental health team, we are also able to provide training for health care professionals so that they can benefit from and better utilize the skills of the interpreter.
Tel: (604) 675-4099
Toll free: 1-877-BC Talks (228-2557)
Email: pls@phsa.ca
MOSAIC (Vancouver)
MOSAIC is a language-services agency specializing in interpretation, translation, foreign-language consultation, videoconferencing and more.They have been providing interpretation and translation services to the private and public sectors for over 20 years. They work with fully accredited, professional interpreters and offer interpretation in over 50 languages. They offer both simultaneous and consecutive interpretation. Services can be provided in person or by phone/videoconferencing. They also provide interpretation for medical and psychiatric assessments and treatments
Aiming for service excellence, they only recruit and work with qualified individuals committed to upholding the ethical and performance standards of the industry. User agencies have recognized their commitment to service excellence by nominating them for the Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Award.
They stay abreast of developments in the field through our membership in professional federations such as AILIA (Association de l’industrie de la langue – Language Industry Association), and are active in advocating for improved access to training through participation in advisory committees as well as in industry federations.
Tel: (604) 254 8022
Fax: (604) 254 4606
Email: interpretationservices@mosaicbc.com
DIVERSEcity (Surrey)
DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society is a registered charity with a 40+ year history of empowering newcomers and other diverse communities to build the life they want through our programs and services in language, settlement, employment, counselling, and interpretation and translation.
DIVERSEcity Interpretation and Translation is the largest interpretation and translation service provider in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, with a network of 300+ professionals who provide services in 88+ languages, including indigenous languages and many rare ones. We deliver consecutive interpretation, simultaneous interpretation, dubbing/voice-over interpretation, 3-way call phone interpretation, virtual (Video) remote interpretation and American Sign Language (ASL) to individuals, community agencies, government or non-government public organizations and private businesses. DIVERSEcity is a client-centred organization committed to quality and accountability.
At DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, newcomers and other diverse communities are empowered to build the life they want in Canada. Our free, multilingual programs and services in language, settlement, employment and counselling provide them with a foundation of information, skills and connections to achieve their goals. As a social enterprise, we reinvest our earnings into DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society’s charitable services for newcomers and diverse communities.
Tel: (604) 597 1358
Fax: (604) 572 4695
Email: interpretation@dcrs.ca
Vancouver Coastal Health (Vancouver)
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is a regional health authority providing direct and contracted health services including primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary care, home and community care, mental health services, population and preventive health and addictions services in part of Greater Vancouver and the Coast Garibaldi area.
VCH is one of six publicly-funded healthcare regions within the Canadian province of British Columbia. The Provincial Government of British Columbia, through the British Columbia Ministry of Health, sets province-wide goals, standards and performance agreements for health service delivery by the six health authorities.
Spoken Language interpreters Spoken Language interpreters are available to help with communication between staff and patients who have limited English. These interpreters may be requested by VCH staff only. If you or your family needs the help of an interpreter, please speak to a staff member.
Tel: (604) 736-2033
Toll-free: 1-866-884-0888
BC Nurseline (Vancouver)
HealthLink BC provides BC residents with 24/7 access to non-emergency health information and advice via telephone, online and in print.
The website, at www.HealthLinkBC.ca, provides medically-approved information on more than 4,000 health topics, symptoms, and over-the-counter and prescription drugs and offers tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It also offers an integrated search and mapping function to more than 4,500 health services to help British Columbians find health services close to their home communities.
Residents of British Columbia can also call 8-1-1 (or 7-1-1 for deaf and hearing impaired callers) from anywhere in the province to speak to a nurse, dietitian or pharmacist or to find a health resource in their area. Translation services in 130 languages are available upon request.
Tel: (604) 215-4700
Toll Free: 1-866-215-4700
Deaf and Hearing Impaired: 1-866-TTY-4700
Immigration and Citizenship Canada
Immigration and Citizenship Canada is the department of the government of Canada that deals with issues of immigration and citizenship. Immigration and Citizenship Canada provides services and resources for immigrants and organizations working with immigrants, conducts research and provides funding opportunities.
Red Cross Canada – Migrant and Refugee Services
Red Cross Canada monitors the conditions of migrants and refugees and provides legal and referral services for reuniting families, ensuring the basic needs are met, and promoting a secure and protective environment for these populations.
The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) is an umbrella organization that unites NGOs that aim to protect the rights and well-being of refugees and immigrants in Canada. CCR provides relevant information for people seeking asylum and for newcomers, organizes public education campaigns, and advocates for the rights and well-being of refugees and immigrants.
Canadian Migrant Health Knowledge Exchange Network
The Canadian Collaboration for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CCIRH), is a six year old interdisciplinary collaboration involving over 150 primary care practitioners, specialists, researchers, immigrant community leaders, and policy makers, that shines an evidence-based lens on the emerging new discipline of migrant health. CCIRH began with an ambitious project aimed at producing evidence based guidelines for primary care practitioners that cover a broad range of infectious diseases; mental health and physical and emotional maltreatment; chronic noncommunicable diseases; and women’s health; conditions identified by practitioners working with new immigrants.
Canadian Immigrant is an online resource that aims to help immigrants settle in Canada successfully as they move through their immigrant journey. Along with a national website, the Canadian Immigrant magazine is a monthly publication distributed in Vancouver and Toronto. The publication strives to appeal to all immigrants regardless of their ethnicity, sharing knowledge and providing inspiration in a positive manner.
British Columbia
British Columbia
Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (Vancouver)
Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies in BC (AMSSA) represents a coalition of over 80 organizations providing multicultural and immigrant settlement services in the Province of British Columbia. We act as a centralized resource for our Members working in both large urban areas and smaller centres. Our educational initiatives provide business, government, and the general public with professional, accurate, and detailed information about current issues in multiculturalism, immigration, and human rights. AMSSA creates networking opportunities, disseminates information, provides professional development, and builds organizational capacities for our Members. AMSSA also produces a newsletter, Insider. The newsletter includes pressing hot topics in the immigrant settlement service sector, the multicultural and the anti-racism sector.
Toll Free: 1 888 355-5560
Tel: (604) 718-2780
Fax: (604) 298-0747
Email: amssa@amssa.org
Vancouver Coastal Health maintains a searchable list of healthcare services in Vancouver, Richmond, North and West Vancouver and along the Sea to Sky Highway, Sunshine Coast and BC’s Central Coast.
The Resource Centre of the BC Children’s Hospital is a consumer health library for families operated by volunteers and professional staff. Its mission is help to families and those working with them, to understand and manage the needs of children related to their diagnoses, tests and treatments.
City of Richmond Arts, Heritage & Culture
The City of Richmond’s Arts, Heritage & Culture website provides information on events organized in partnership with cultural organizations, local artist, and local residents to help sustain and develop cultural and artistic heritage, traditions, skills, and individual expression. This website provides a quick reference index to ethnic group organizations and events.
Richmond Chinese Mental Health Support Group
Provides Chinese mental health consumers and their family members with mental health support services in Mandarin and Cantonese. Services include mental health seminars on the second Friday of each month; outreach visits; individual counselling (small fee or by donation); group counselling; a self-help group for individuals and families; periodic meetings, outings, and festival gatherings; a community mental health bulletin in Chinese; and a telephone mental health support line.
Tel: (604) 273-1791
E-mail: richchin@telus.net
Multilingual Mental Health Information
Multilingual Mental Health Information
Here-to-Help – Multilingual fact sheets
British Columbia Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information is a group of seven leading provincial mental health and addictions non-profit agencies that, since 2003, have been working together to help individuals and families better manage mental health and substance use problems. They have produced fact sheets in eleven different languages (including Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Punjabi, Russian and Spanish) on various mental illnesses and wider mental health issues.
Links to Resources
Links to Resources
BC Ministry of Health and Social Services, Mental Health and Addictions
This site provides links to resources related to mental health and addictions across the province of British Columbia.
Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division
This site provides province-wide links on mental health.
HealthLinkBC Files are easy-to-understand fact sheets on a range of public health and safety topics. Most files are available in Chinese, English, French, Punjabi, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
This site provides provincial, national and international links to resources.
Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre
A provincial resource centre working to link children, youth and their families with appropriate resources in all areas of mental health and addictions. In addition, it also serves the resource needs of adults with eating disorders.
British Columbia Schizophrenia Society
This site provides a list of resources and partners of BC partners in mental health and addiction services. There are also links to on-line booklets and videos. As well, information on respite care is also provided.
AnxietyBC provides a rich resource of self-help information and programs, as well as resources for parents and caregivers.
Health Coverage for Refugees in Canada
The Interim Federal Health Program provides limited temporary coverage of health-care costs to protected persons who are not eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance plans and where a claim cannot be made under private health insurance. These protected persons include resettled refugees, refugee claimants, certain persons detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and other specified groups.
Migrant and Refugee Services – Red Cross
The Red Cross offers “First Contact” services to refugees. Currently these services are available in Toronto and Vancouver. Services are offered in several languages and include help with affordable housing, Legal Aid or social assistance.
Table de concertation des organismes au services des personnes refugiees et immigrantes (TCRI)
TCRI brings together several organizations working with immigrants, refugiees, and the stateless. Their mission is to defend and protect the rights of the immigrants, refugees, and the stateless residing in Quebec during their emigration process. The organization offers various services and support to the newcomers.
Access Alliance Multicultural Mental Health and Community Services
Access Alliance is a Toronto-based organization offering a wide range of programs and services for immigrants and refugees living in the City of Toronto. Working through partnerships, we help develop innovative responses to newcomer issues.
Centre social d’aide aux immigrants (CSAI)
CSAI is a Montreal-based organization that promotes the social integration of members of Greater Montreal’s cultural communities, regardless of their origin, language, political opinions or religion, and help newly arrived immigrants to get settled. The centre welcomes newcomers and provides guidance and referral, consultation, interpretation and translation, job integration assistance, French courses, support with immigration and sponsorship procedures, information workshops on the host society, outings and cultural activities, collective kitchens. Additionally, the centre acts as a host settlement agency for selected refugee claimants who are relocated by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and arrive with permanent resident status.
Alone in Canada: 21 Ways to Make it Better
This page provides fact sheets about adaptation to a new country, in multiple languages, developed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
Asking for Help When Things Are Not Right
These fact sheets were developed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Canada’s largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the world’s leading research centres in the area of addiction and mental health.
Immigrant Services: Government of Canada
Government services offered free of charge for immigrants in Canada include language assessments and classes, help finding a job, help with daily life such as finding a place to live and filling out forms and applications as well as information about community services such as mentoring. An Interactive Map provides a search option for immigrant services in different areas in Canada.
For a full list of services: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/subjects/immigrate/index.shtml
Publications and Manuals: Government of Canada
Information for newcomers including workbooks, resettlement assistance programs, and Federal Internship for Newcomers (FIN) Programs.
Growing Up in a New Land: A Guide for Newcomer Parents
This booklet is for newcomer parents with children aged 0-6. It contains information on community and government support organizations as well as resources and tips for adjusting to a new land while honouring one’s culture.
Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes (TCRI)
TCRI brings together several organizations working with immigrants, refugees, and the stateless. Their mission is to defend and protect the rights of the immigrants, refugees, and the stateless residing in Quebec during their emigration process. The organization offers various services and support to the newcomers.
Centre social d’aide aux immigrants (CSAI)
CSAI is a Montreal-based organization that promotes the social integration of members of Greater Montreal’s cultural communities, regardless of their origin, language, political opinions or religion, and help newly arrived immigrants to get settled. The centre welcomes newcomers and provides guidance and referral, consultation, interpretation and translation, job integration assistance, French courses, support with immigration and sponsorship procedures, information workshops on the host society, outings and cultural activities, collective kitchens.
The Association for New Canadians is a St John’s-based, non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to the provision of settlement and integration services for immigrants and refugees. For over 30 years, the Association has delivered programs and services designed to support all aspects of newcomer integration, ranging from settlement information and orientation, to language learning, skills development and employment. The association offers resettlement assistance, language training, career services, and targeted programming for children, youth, women, and men.
This website is for any migrant child from any part of the world who has a story to tell. The stories can be told in any form: words, pictures, photographs, video. They can be about any topic of importance to the child.
We deliberately use the term MIGRANT to include all children who have been forced, or have chosen, to leave their home country for any reason, and who are trying to establish a life in another country.
211 is a phone number to reach Canada’s primary source of information on government and community-based health and social services. To speak directly with an information specialist, dial 2-1-1 where the service is available. The website provides a gateway to community, social, non-clinical health and related government services. 211 can help you to navigate the complex network of human services quickly and easily, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 100 languages. The service aims to connect people to the right information and services, strengthen Canada’s health and human services, and help Canadians to become more engaged with their communities.
Coming to a new country can be both exciting and challenging. Newcomers experience many changes simultaneously including changes in family structure, social networks, and surrounding environment. As a result, the process of adapting to a new country can be stressful. While you are adjusting to your new home, this video, part of the Have THAT Talk series by Ottawa Public Health, provides few strategies to take care of yourself and your mental health.
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