You Don’t Always See It — Finding Strength in the Hardest Times 

You don’t always see it — the brave face hiding exhaustion. 
The calm voice masking panic. 
The quiet battle to hold everything together. 

For Natalie, that was every day. 

She was supporting her teenager through serious mental health challenges while facing her own cancer diagnosis. Between hospital visits, school meetings, and sleepless nights, she was running on empty — emotionally and physically drained. 

Without Carya’s accessible counselling services, that space for healing might not have been possible. Like many Calgarians, the cost of private therapy would have been out of reach. 

Natalie’s story is one of courage, but it’s also one of access. 

Across Alberta, 2 in 3 people say cost is a barrier to getting mental health care [1], and only 1 in 3 Canadians receive the support they need.[2] Meanwhile, 33% of Calgarians rate their mental health as only fair or poor [3], according to the latest Calgary Foundation Quality of Life Report. 

These numbers paint a clear picture: mental health support is still out of reach for too many. But at Carya, that changes. 

Through low- or no-cost counselling, Carya helps Calgarians navigate life’s most difficult moments — from grief and anxiety to relationship challenges, illness, and caregiving stress. Our approach meets people where they are, offering professional care without judgment or financial strain. 

Through ongoing counselling, Natalie began to rediscover her strength — not just to endure her illness, but to care for her teenager and herself with renewed hope. 

Because You Don’t Always See It 

Every day, people in our city are carrying invisible burdens — parents trying to stay strong for their kids, older adults facing loneliness, and individuals struggling to make ends meet. 

Behind every smile, there might be someone like Natalie — doing their best to hold it all together. 

At Carya, we believe no one should have to face those moments alone. That’s why our programs — from counselling and family support to financial coaching and community connection — are designed to keep help within reach for everyone, no matter their income or circumstance. 

When someone finds a safe space to share, heal, and rebuild, something remarkable happens: they find themselves again. 

Help Should Never Be Out of Reach 

Carya offers counselling and support to thousands of Calgarians each year — ensuring that cost never stands in the way of care. 

This season, as part of our You Don’t Always See It Holiday Campaign, we’re shining a light on the unseen struggles in our community — and how compassion can make them lighter. 

Because while you may not always see the weight someone carries, you can be part of helping them set it down. 

Help is here. You don’t have to pay to feel seen.