Connecting services: Community Connect YYC expands

A valuable resource is growing for Calgarians looking for affordable counselling. 

Seven new agencies are joining CUPS and Community Connect YYC, bringing the number of partners in the network to 16, with more than 30 services offered. 

Remarkably, this is the third time the 24/7 direct online booking portal has expanded since it launched in August of 2020. During that time, it has booked 6,000+ appointments underscoring the need for this program.

Research in the fall of 2020 showed almost one in five Canadians over the age of 12 reported they needed some help. It’s one more piece of data illustrating the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of people across our country. And we also know that those who were already struggling before the pandemic were at a higher risk when it came to lockdowns, restrictions and more.

New Partners  

With the growth, more Calgarians will be able to access barrier-free mental health support at a time when the pandemic continues to affect people’s well-being.

The new partners include:

  • Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association 

  • Canadian Centre for Men and Families 

  • The Immigrant Education Society 

  • Hull Services 

  • Lionheart Foundation 

  • Trellis 

  • Vecova 

These new partners will bring with them additional resources, including new youth services, other first language services, expanded services for people with disabilities, services for Indigenous people and mental health services for men. 

CUPS has been a proud partner since the inception of the program, along with Catholic Family Service, Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region, YW Calgary, carya, Centre for Sexuality, Sagesse, The Alex, and the Centre for Newcomers. Collectively, these partners provide addiction support, counselling for children, youth, adults, and families; domestic violence supports, grief support, rapid access counselling and sexual health counselling, among many other services. 

This network is made possible by support from the City of Calgary through several programs, including: 

  • Change Can’t Wait!

  • The Home Program

  • Emergency Resiliency Fund

  • Connect the Dots

 The Calgary Homeless Foundation also provides support to the network.

The growth of the network will allow the partners to fill in more gaps consistently and emphasize the diversity of services available. And in the true spirit of connections, Community Connect YYC connects Calgary’s social support organizations with the Calgarians that need them. 

Asking for help can be challenging; accessing it shouldn’t be. 

For more information, click here.

newsMelanie Nicholson