Calgary Counselling Centre

The Cause

Since 1962, Calgary Counselling Centre (CCC) has provided high quality, affordable mental health services to Calgary and area individuals and families ages 3 to 89. We are the leader in children's programs, family violence, depression, eating disorders, research, training and student education. We are committed to providing mental health counselling, barrier-free to everyone who needs the help and therefore operate on a sliding fee scale, providing financial subsidies to those who would otherwise not be able to afford services with no wait list. Our mission is to improve the well-being of individuals and families and strengthening communities by delivering best practices in counselling, training and research. The Centre also offers highly effective group counselling to provide an individual with the support they need to work through emotional struggles in a safe and secure environment surrounded by others experiencing similar challenges.

We track our client’s progress from session to session using a mental health vital signs questionnaire, which allows us to adjust their counselling based whether or not they are improving, getting worse or demonstrating no change. Similar to taking someone’s blood pressure or blood sugar levels at your family doctors office, this questionnaire allows us to accurately assess the individual’s well-being so we can provide them with the right treatment.

The Centre has seen an increase of children, youth and families who cannot afford private mental health services. The need for effective and affordable mental health treatment continues to rise . Given the numerous uncertainties still facing Albertans that have been impacted by the economic downturn, we anticipate the number of individuals who will need assistance will not lessen. Not only has demand increased but also levels of distress that people are feeling has increased. In 2017 the cost of individual subsidized counselling grew to $1,676,512 from $1,142,984 in 2014. This investment will be used to support the expansion of mental health services for children, youth and their families. Your support will provide counselling subsidies to children and youth to ensure they receive the counselling services they need.

Who Will it Benefit?

Our project will help children and youth aged 3-21 in Southern Alberta who are experiencing mental health issues related to depression, anxiety, self esteem, bullying, family violence, divorce and others. Youth struggling with depression have a variety of challenges that can include absences from school, lower grades, relationship conflict and increased risk of drug and alcohol use.

Some staggering stats:
Suicide is the leading cause of death in males aged 10 to 49.
The prevalence of depression in teenage girls has tripled in the last 20 years.
On average, four to eight teenagers are depressed in every Calgary classroom, yet only one or two are getting help.

Calgary Counselling Centre is leading the way in helping children and youth to adapt, learn skills and use new interventions to cope with changes and challenges in their lives with no barriers of fees or wait lists.