At Carya, mental well-being is not a luxury, it’s a foundation. A foundation for strong families, thriving communities, and a future where everyone has the tools they need to navigate life with resilience and hope.
And yet, for too many people, support is still out of reach.
More than half of Canadians experiencing mental health challenges aren’t receiving the help they need — often due to long waitlists, cost, or the persistent stigma that still surrounds asking for help. Here in Calgary, 42% of people don’t have access to mental health coverage through their employer, making affordability a barrier for far too many.
Mental Health Is Community Health
The need for accessible, person-centered mental health support in Calgary has never been greater. Years of social disconnection, economic strain, and ongoing uncertainty have taken their toll — especially on those already facing barriers to care.
Mental health challenges affect more than just our internal world. They ripple outward, impacting relationships, employment, family dynamics, and physical health.
And while the challenges are complex, the response can be powerful when rooted in connection, compassion, and community.
That’s where we come in.
What We’re Doing
Carya works to protect and strengthen mental health and well-being by providing evidence-based counselling services and support interventions that reduce psychological distress, increase resilience, and improve behavioural health.
We intentionally remove barriers to care by offering free or subsidized services, simplified intake processes, and supports like child-minding and virtual delivery. Our services are built on the belief that everyone deserves access to care, when and where they need it most.
We offer:
- Family-focused and older adult counselling that helps people navigate stress, grief, life transitions, and changing relationships.
- Positive psychology and emotional wellness group programs that help individuals build confidence, regulate emotions, and strengthen their mental health.
Every program and service reflects our belief that people are not defined by their struggles, they are strengthened by the support they receive and the choices they make.
Healing Through Connection
This client’s story reflects what we see every day at Carya, that when someone feels heard and supported, healing begins.
“ I am so incredibly grateful for the experience of having the best counseling sessions of my entire life! This is my first time using Carya’s resources and I am so pleased to have met my counsellor. The resources she has shared has helped me tremendously. I never imagined how much a counselor could help me navigate through life’s issues and as a result, improve my quality of life. She’s understanding, caring and an incredibly positive person. I couldn’t ask for more. She goes far and beyond to listen and give feedback. I am so fortunate to have met her.” – Carya Client
Counselling is more than conversation; it’s a partnership that helps people rediscover their strength, rebuild relationships, and reimagine what’s possible.
Our Broader Impact
Stories like this are echoed across our community, in thousands of conversations, counselling sessions, and shared moments every year. Each one is a reminder that healing, when supported, creates lasting change.
In 2024, Carya provided 5,756 counselling sessions to 2,919 individuals.
- 81% of families in counselling saw improvements in family functioning.
- 96% of Wellness Collective participants strengthened their ability to cope with life’s challenges.
- 100% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the support they received.
These numbers tell a story of growth and resilience, but they also remind us that the need for accessible, compassionate mental health support continues to grow.
Why Mental Health Matters
Mental health is at the heart of how we live, love, and connect. When it’s strong, we feel capable, grounded, and present. When it’s challenged, everything else becomes harder. Our relationships, our work, even our ability to hope for the future can all be affected.
Mental health doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s shaped by life experiences like grief, trauma, family stress, financial hardship, or a sudden transition. And while everyone’s journey is different, one truth remains: no one should have to face it alone.
We hear from people every day who have done their best to carry heavy emotional burdens for too long. People who seem to hold it all together on the outside while quietly feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected on the inside. For many, reaching out to Carya is the first step in saying, “I can’t do this alone anymore.” It’s the beginning of something new.
That moment of connection, where someone feels heard, supported, and safe, is where healing begins. From there, the ripple effects are powerful: stronger relationships, better sleep, more confidence, and a renewed sense of hope.
And things do get better.
That’s why this work matters. When mental health is supported, people show up differently in their families, workplaces, and communities. They begin to thrive. And when individuals thrive, so does the world around them.
Focusing on mental well-being isn’t optional. It’s essential to building a Calgary where everyone has the opportunity to heal, grow, and truly belong.
EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT SUPPORT MENTAL WELL-BEING