The Internet can be a great source of health information.
Here are some guidelines for finding dependable, accurate health information on the Internet:
- Beware of websites that offer a cure-all or quick fix - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Use caution with websites that try to sell you something.
- Use caution with recommendations that are not based on scientific studies.
- Look at different sites and try to seek a consensus of opinion.
- Look at the source of the information and try to stick to those that come from a government agency, a university, or a health professional organization.
The Internet should be used for information purposes only and should never be a substitute for a consultation with a health care provider. If you have any health concerns please see your family doctor or visit us at Langara College Student Health Services.
General Health and Wellness
- Healthlink BC
- Fair PharmaCare Plan (Income based government program to cover prescription costs)
- Vancouver Coastal Health
- First Nations Health Authority
- Provincial Health Services Authority
- Information Services Vancouver
- Health Canada Online
- Go Ask Alice
- MediMap (Walk-In Clinics)
- Urgent Care Centres in Vancouver
Alcohol and Drugs
- Toward the Heart (BCCDC Harm Reduction Services)
- Overdose Prevention Information
- Naloxone Training
- App for Overdose Prevention: Lifeguard
- Get text alerts for Toxic Drugs
- Here to Help: General info on substances
- Alcoholics Anonymous 604.434.3933 (24 Hours)
- Vancouver Access and Assessment Centre (Vancouver residents only)
- Alcohol Reality Check
- Center for Addiction and Mental Health
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research
- Access Central (Detox, Online chat) 1.866.658.1221
- Crisis Line (24 Hours) 1.866.661.3311
Sexual Assault and Abuse
- VGH or UBC Sexual Assault Service
- Battered Women's Support Services (BWSS)
- Fraser Health Authority Sexual Assault
- Surrey Sexual Assault Services (SMART)
- Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW)
- BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
- AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC)
- Embrace Clinic
- MOSAIC
- QMUNITY: BC's Queer Resource Centre
- Victim Link
- BC 211
- Vancouver 24-hour Crisis Line
- Crisis Line (24 Hour) 1.866.661.3311
Sexual Health
- The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)
- Options for Sexual Health
- Smart Sex Resource
- Sexandu.ca
- Its a Plan - Birth Control Options and Info
- BC CDC Clinic (for sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment)
- Herpes Handbook (PDF)
- Health Initiative for Men Clinic and Resources
- Sexplanations with Dr. Doe:YouTube
- Qmunity
- PAP Testing (BC Health Files)
Mental Health
- Langara Counseling Services
- Mental Health Ambassadors
- VCH Access and Assessment Centre (Vancouver residents only)
- Here2Talk: Free counselling service
- Mood Disorders Association of BC
- BCalm Guided Meditations
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- Low Cost Counselling (via Willow Tree Website)
- HereToHelp.bc.ca
- Screening for Depression and Anxiety
- Beyond Blue - the National Depression Initiative (Australia)
- Anxiety Canada
- Heads Up Guys:Depression Resource for Men
- MindShift App
- Calm Harm App: A Resource for Self-Harming
- ADHD Information and Resources
- Crisis Line (24 Hour) 1.866.661.3311
Eating Disorders
- VCH Eating Disorders Program
- Fraser Health Eating Disorders Program
- Providence Eating Disorders Program
- Here to Help
- Looking Glass BC
- Eating Disorder Resource Centre
- The National Eating Disorder Information Centre
- Body Image and Eating Disorders
Food Security and Nutrition
- Dietitians of Canada
- Food Asset Map ( an online resource for low cost or free meals and groceries)
- Food Asset Map (document with description for resources in city of Vancouver)
- Langara Emergency Aid. For students facing unforseen financial crisis including food insecurity, you can book an appointment with an financial aid advisor to discuss supports.
- 811 Dietitian Services (free phone or email support)
- Ask the Dietitian
- Health Canada
- Meal Planning Guide
Fitness
- Canada's Physical Activity Guide
- Physical Activity Services with Health Link BC
- Canada's Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute
- Participaction
- Work Out Apps
Smoking Cessation
Stress
- Handling Stress:Here to Help
- Health Canada:Mental Health:Coping with Stress
- Heart and Stroke Foundation: Coping with Stress (PDF)
- Canadian Mental Health Association: Stress
- HealthLinkBC: Stress Management Techniques
Sleep
Travel Medicine
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Vancouver Coastal Health Travel Clinic
- Travel Medicine and Vaccination Centre
- CDC Travelers' Health
Video and Audio Recordings
- Meditation
- Insight Timer
- Body Scan 2
- Sitting Meditation
- Mindful Yoga 1
- Mindful Yoga 2
- Yoga With Adriene
LGBTQ+ Resources
- Qmunnity
- Trans Alliance Society
- Vancouver Pride Society
- Rainbow Refugee Committee
- Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre (wellness and legal services)
- Transgender Health Information Program
- Women's Health Collective
- Health Initiative for Men
International Students: Health Insurance
- Information about Medical Services Plan of BC "MSP" (Mandatory when you live in BC)
- How to Apply for MSP
- Guard Me (Temporary private medical Insurance until MSP is active)
- Langara Student Union (LSU) Extended Health & Dental Insurance
- Fair Pharmacare (extra insurance for lower income residents of BC)
- Langara Global UTube Presentation: Health Insurance and Health Information