Crisis Lines

988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 24/7 support via phone or text.

Kelowna Community Resources Crisis Line: If you feel anxious, or need someone to talk to, the Crisis Line is available 24/7. Help is just a phone call away at 1.888.353.2273 (1.888.353.CARE).

Resources and Groups

ARC foundation – School might be the only place a student feels safe to be their authentic self. For youth who don’t experience a sense of belonging at home, a teacher could be the one supportive adult that helps them feel valued. When a student feels connected to their school, they have a higher chance of graduating, are less likely to experience substance abuse and experience better mental health into young adulthood. ARC Foundation is committed to a long-lasting and far-reaching approach to changing the experience of youth one school at a time.

Conceivable: A Guide to Making 2SLGBTQ+ Family -Conceivable is a guide for intended parents navigating the challenges, opportunities, and choices involved in 2SLGBTQ+ fertility and family building in Canada. Author Laine Halpern Zisman is a full spectrum doula and fertility scholar, and is uniquely positioned to write this book. She has brought together all of her experience and expertise working in fertility with new 2SLGBTQ+ parents to create a unique queer inclusive guide is a how-to parenting guide for a community that is currently desperately under-resourced.

Drug Watch LGBTQ+ Health Guide – Members of the LGBTQ+ community have unique and complex health needs that heterosexuals don’t face. Health disparities and barriers to care can make staying healthy challenging, but knowing LGBTQ+ health risks can ensure you stay on top of your health. Local and national resources can help you prevent or treat these health conditions with the right medical testing, care and support.

Egale is one of Canada’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQI people and issues. We have linked to their page with information on transitioning.

Essie’s Place offers a mental health services pilot for LGBTQ2SIA+ identified individuals, couples & partners, and families ages 12+ who currently live in the Shuswap Region.

Etcetera is a weekly, facilitated program where youth ages 11-18 who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and their allies can meet supportive peers in a safe environment in Kelowna. Etcetera offers social activities, empowering discussions and special events.

HIM is a nonprofit society that aims to strengthen the health and well-being in communities of self-identified GBQ men and gender-diverse people in BC. We offer a full spectrum of health-based programming and services to meet the sexual, mental, physical, and social health needs of communities of self-identified GBQ men and gender-diverse people in BC. 

Lawyers Against Transphobia – Lawyers against Transphobia is an ad hoc group of lawyers and justice workers in BC and across Canada who are committed to addressing transphobia through the courts and through public education. They have developed and offered a free handbook – Expelling Transphobia 

MindMapBC – MindMapBC is a custom-made database of outpatient mental health services including professional counselling, peer counselling, support groups, and others. We have also included relevant resources, and social and networking groups. Learn more about the types of services on MindMapBC!

Peachland Wellness CentreThe Peachland Wellness Centre provides a number of programs to participants with a variety of social, physical, emotional and personal wellness activities.

QMUNITY is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC that works to improve queer, trans, and Two-Spirit lives. We provide a safer space for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and their allies to fully self-express while feeling welcome and included. Our building serves as a catalyst for community initiatives and collective strength.

Queer Aging BC strives to provide tailored information and programming for 2SLGBTQ+ seniors and seniors’ Service Providers in British Columbia, with a focus on health, housing, community building, and finances.

Racist Incident Helpline (now supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ people)

The Racist Incident Helpline is a free, toll-free service for people in British Columbia who have experienced discrimination or hate. The helpline has expanded to include people who experience hate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. QMUNITY has joined the helpline’s referral network to provide affirming, community-based support for 2SLGBTQIA+ people who reach out.

Callers can access guidance, referrals, and connections to services such as legal support, mental health care, and community organizations. The service is offered in more than 240 languages.

Phone: 1-833-457-5463 (1 833 HLP-LINE)
Hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After-hours callers can leave a message for a callback.
Emergency: If you need immediate assistance, call 911.

Seniors Outreach and Resource Centre provides outreach and links seniors to needed services. We help vulnerable older adults to maintain their dignity and independence, and to stay connected to their community and each other.

This Sincidenthelpline.capace Belongs To You is a dedicated program for 2S/LGBTQQIA+, and/or IBPOC people (age 12-24) committed to providing safe, inclusive spaces and resources within The Syilx Okanagan.

TransParent Okanagan is a non-profit organization developed by and for parents and caregivers of trans, gender diverse, and two-spirit people in Kelowna and the Okanagan. We host monthly facilitated support meetings for parents, as well as family social events, guest speakers and learning events.

Trans Care BC supports the delivery of equitable and accessible care, surgical planning, and peer and community support for trans people across the province.

Urgent Support Resources

Canada

Suicide Crisis Hotline – Phone/Text 988  Website – 988.ca

Trans Lifeline – Phone 877-330-6366  –A peer-support and crisis hotline run by and for trans people, offering support across Canada and the U.S.

Kids Help Phone – LGBTQ2S+ Youth Line -Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (Available 24/7) Text: Text CONNECT to 686868 – Free, confidential support for LGBTQ+ youth, with services available via phone, text, and online chat.

LGBT Youth Line (Ontario-based, but serves all of Canada) -Phone: 1-800-268-9688 Text: 647-694-4275 – Confidential and non-judgmental peer support for LGBTQ+ youth up to age 29 in Ontario.

Crisis Services Canada – Phone: 1-833-456-4566 (Available 24/7) Text: 45645 (Available 4 PM to midnight ET) – While not LGBTQ-specific, this service offers crisis and suicide prevention support to all Canadians.

USA

Trevor Project – Phone: 1-866-488-7386 (Available 24/7) Text: Text START to 678678 – The largest crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, offering phone, chat, and text services.

Trans Lifeline – Phone: 877-565-8860 (Available 24/7) – A peer-support hotline run by trans people for trans people across the U.S. and Canada, focusing on support without mandatory active rescue.

LGBT National Help Center – Youth Hotline (ages 25 and younger): 1-800-246-7743 Senior Hotline (ages 50+): 1-888-234-7243 – Provides free, confidential peer-support for LGBTQ+ individuals of all ages.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (LGBTQ-friendly) -Phone: 988 (Available 24/7) – A general crisis hotline with LGBTQ+-trained counsellors to provide supportive listening and crisis intervention.