Resources & Links
Crisis & suicide prevention:
Crisis Centre -- for 24 hour assistance with an immediate crisis, by email or phone at 604.872.3311
Depression & anxiety:
Antidepressant Skills Workbook -- online workbook to help treat depression published by COMH and BCMHAS.
Anxiety BC -- for help with anxiety and panic, including a listing of local group workshops
Canadian Mental Health Association -- information and resources for those living with a mental illness
Depression hurts -- online information and symptoms checklist to help those with depression
Self-test: Do you have the symptoms of depression? -- Depression Hurts BC
Here to Help BC -- wellness modules and information on mental health and addictions
Mood Disorders Association of BC -- information on living with depression, anxiety, and panic
The Red Book -- listing of community resources and support groups in BC
Grief & loss:
BC Bereavement Helpline -- help for those coping with grief. Call 604.738.9950.
BC Women's Hospital -- grief & loss resources and information, including the loss of a pregnancy or child
Parentbooks -- website with a comprehensive list of books on pregnancy and infant loss
Infertility, assisted conception, & third-party reproduction:
Fertility clinics in BC:
BC Women's Centre for Reproductive Health -- Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Clinic (formerly UBC Fertility)
Grace Fertility Centre & Reproductive Medicine
Kelowna Regional Fertility Centre
Pacific Coast Reproductive Medicine
Fertility preservation:
Fertile Future -- information on fertility preservation for those with cancer
Infertility support:
Infertility Awareness Association of Canada (IAAC) -- information on infertility support groups and fertility clinics in Canada
Infertility Network -- information on infertility and assisted reproduction
IVF.ca -- information on IVF and fertility clinics in Canada
Parentbooks -- comprehensive list of books on infertility
Resolve: The National Infertility Association -- US website offering an extensive resource library with tips for coping and family-building using assisted reproductive technology
Involuntary childlessness & adoption:
Adoptive Families Association of BC
Child-free by Choice -- information on choosing to be child-free
More to Life -- information on coping with involuntary childlessness
Legal:
Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHR Act) -- Health Canada's guidelines on the use of reproductive material and embryos
Monique Shebbeare -- family lawyer specializing in third-party reproduction (donor conception) in Vancouver, BC
Natasha Del Bianco -- family lawyer specializing in third-party reproduction (donor conception) in Vancouver, BC
Professional associations:
American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) -- information and current research articles on infertility and assisted reproduction in the US
Canadian Fertility & Andrology Society (CFAS) -- information and current research articles on infertility and assisted reproduction in Canada
Same-sex parenting:
LGBTQ Parenting Network -- information for same-sex couples looking to conceive or adopt
Single parenting:
Choice Moms -- information for single mothers by choice
Third-party reproduction:
Creating Canadian Families -- sperm cryobank
Donor Conception Network -- information for those using sperm donors
ReproMed --sperm cryobank and Designated Donor Program
Wellness:
Acubalance Wellness Centre -- Traditional Chinese Medicine and infertility treatment clinic in Vancouver BC, providing effective care for women's health issues such as infertility, PCOS, pregnancy, PMS, and menopause
Dr. Spence Pentland, Dr.TCM, FABORM -- Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture in Vancouver BC, focusing exclusively on the treatment of men's and women's reproductive health issues since 2004
Dayan Physiotherapy & Pelvic Floor Clinic -- offers excellence in physiotherapy for problems related to pregnancy, perinatal health, pelvic dysfunction, urogynecology, and orthopaedics
Mind + Body -- specializes in offering Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy (PRYT) to those looking for support for reproductive and fertility wellness. Mima Preston (MC, CCC, PRYT) provides one-on-one PRYT for women and men seeking holistic (mind/body) support using hatha yoga postures, touch, dialogue, and breath guidance. PRYT incorporates the thinking mind, the sensations of the body, and the emotions of the heart
Marriage & relationships:
John Gottman Institute -- Quiz: How well do you know your partner?
The Five Love Languages -- book on effective communication in relationships by reknowned marriage therapist Gary Chapman
www.holdmetight.net -- emotion-focused couples therapist Sue Johnson's website with information on her book "Hold Me Tight".
Pregnancy & postpartum:
Motherisk -- information about the risks or safety of drugs, medication, and chemicals during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Pacific Postpartum Support Society -- information, counselling, and support groups for Postpartum Depression. Call the Postpartum Support Line at 604.255.7999.
Peaceful Pregnancy -- hypnosis for pregnancy, labour, and childbirth
Reproductive Mental Health Program -- offers psychiatric support, psychological counselling, and group workshops for women with anxiety & mood disorders related to pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, and menopause in Vancouver BC. Publishes the "Self-Care Program for Women with Postpartum Depression and Anxiety" workbook.
Women's Health Matters -- Canadian website featuring health information and current research articles on women's health, including pregnancy and fertility/infertility.
Pregnancy decision-making & abortion:
A Guide to Emotional & Spiritual Resolution after Abortion - info sheet from PregnancyOptions.info
Healthy Coping After Abortion - information sheet from the Abortion Conversation.
Coping After Your Abortion - information sheet from the Hope Medical Clinic.
Inner Healing After Abortion - booklet available for purchase by Marilyn Gryte.
Men and Abortion -- information for men on how to cope with abortion and support their partner.
Peace After Abortion -- information on coping with emotions after abortion, based on the book by the same name. .
Pregnancy Options Service -- free unbiased telephone counselling service in Vancouver, BC helping women make informed choices about unintended pregnancy. Call 604.875.3163.
Pregnancy Options Workbook -- a guide to making decisions about unintended pregnancy from PregnancyOptions.info.
Unsure About Your Pregnancy? A Guide for Making the Right Decision for You -- by National Abortion Federation.
Reproductive & sexual health:
Options for Sexual Health (OPT) -- reliable sexual health services at conveniently located health clinics in BC. Call the 1.800.SEX.SENSE phone line.
Sexuality and U -- Canadian website featuring information on sexual health and contraception.
Trauma & abuse:
Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) -- helping victims of crime access counselling support
Women, abuse, and trauma therapy -- article by CAMH
"Do not wish to be anything but what you are and to be that perfectly." - Saint Francis de Sales
