Local resources. Inspiring stories. Practical advice.
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Whether it’s physical, financial, professional or psychological, everybody goes through tough times in their lives. Josh Martin was 28 years old when he experienced his biggest challenge yet: an aggressive form of leukemia. Inspired by his journey, the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook is a free collection of real-life stories, practical advice and local resources in Calgary, Alberta geared at helping people who are facing adversity.
Get your copy of the handbook
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Video features
Blood donors: helping others
Ten years ago, cancer almost killed me. Blood donors saved my life. And for that, I just wanted to say thanks.
Practicing gratitude
Gratitude. What’s so special about it, and how can we cultivate more of it in our lives to help us through tough times?
Community resources in Calgary, Alberta
One of the most important lessons Josh learned from his health crisis was the importance of community. Whether it was accessing peer support programs, using the Cancer Society’s shuttle service to get to appointments or tapping into educational materials from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, community resources played a big role in his success.
Whatever obstacle you face in life — personally, professionally or otherwise — be sure to consider the resources available in your community. Fortunately, Calgary boasts all kinds of organizations and programs focused on helping folks overcome a variety of obstacles.
Below, you’ll find information about some of them. This listing is by no means exhaustive, but it will hopefully give you a flavour of the kinds of resources available in your own backyard.
Mental health

Distress Centre Calgary
(24-hour crisis line)
403-266-HELP (4357)
http://www.distresscentre.com/
Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary
http://cmha.calgary.ab.ca/
Youth Addiction and Mental Health – Help4Me
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/HealthTopics/youth-addiction-mental-health
Alberta Health Services – Addiction & Mental Health
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/amh.aspx
Addiction helpline: 1-866-332-2322 (24/7)
Mental health helpline: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
Local therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/ab/calgary
Anxiety counsellors
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/anxiety/ab/calgary
Depression counsellors
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/depression/ab/calgary
Grief counsellors
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/grief/ab/calgary
Victim resources – death and bereavement
(City of Calgary)
http://www.calgary.ca/cps/Pages/Community-programs-and-resources/Victims-of-crime/Victim-resources-Death-and-bereavement.aspx
Grief Support Program – Calgary Zone
(Alberta Health Services)
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page13161.aspx
Physical health

Find a local physiotherapist
https://opa.on.ca/physiotherapists/
Alzheimer’s Society of Canada – Alberta
https://alzheimer.ca/en/ab
Canadian Cancer Society – Alberta
http://www.cancer.ca/en/?region=ab
Heart & Stroke Foundation
(Calgary office)
119 14 St NW #200, Calgary
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/
Seniors programs and services
(City of Calgary)
http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/CNS/Pages/Seniors/Seniors-Programs-Services.aspx
Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society
https://www.calgaryseniors.org/
Kerby Centre for the 55-plus
https://www.kerbycentre.com/
Families and individuals

Calgary Region Child & Family Services
http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/services-near-you/calgary-and-area-child-and-family-services.html
Ministry of Children’s Services
https://www.alberta.ca/ministry-childrens-services.aspx
The Carya Society of Calgary
(counselling and development services for families and individuals)
https://caryacalgary.ca
Divorce therapists in Calgary
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/divorce/ab/calgary
Family conflict therapists in Calgary
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/family-conflict/ab/calgary
Women’s Centre of Calgary
https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/
Connect Family & Sexual Abuse Network
http://www.connectnetwork.ca/
Sexual abuse/assault assistance: (403) 237-5888 or 1-877-237-5888 (toll-free in Alberta)
Domestic/relationship abuse assistance: (403) 234-7233 (SAFE) or 1-866-606-7233 (toll-free in Alberta)
Victim resources – Sexual assault and violence
(City of Calgary)
http://www.calgary.ca/cps/Pages/Community-programs-and-resources/Victims-of-crime/Victim-resources-Sexual-assault-and-violence.aspx
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCSA)
http://www.calgarycasa.com/
Support & information line: 1-877-237-5888
Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter
https://www.calgarywomensshelter.com/
The Mustard Seed Shelter
https://theseed.ca/
Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre
https://www.calgarydropin.ca/
The Calgary Food Bank
https://www.calgaryfoodbank.com/
YWCA Calgary
https://www.ywcalgary.ca/
YMCA Calgary
https://www.ymcacalgary.org/
Community centres
https://maps.calgary.ca/CommunityCentres/
Employment and financial

Calgary Career Counselling
http://www.calgarycareercounselling.com/
Calgary employment services
(Government of Alberta)
https://www.alberta.ca/calgary-employment-services.aspx
City of Calgary Youth Employment Centre
http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/CNS/Pages/Children-and-youth/Youth-employment-centre/Home.aspx
Career guidance counsellors in Calgary
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/career-guidance/ab/calgary
The Credit Counselling Society
https://www.nomoredebts.org/canada/alberta/calgary/credit-counselling.html
Newcomers

Immigrant Services Calgary
https://immigrantservicescalgary.ca/
Centre for Newcomers
http://centrefornewcomers.ca/
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society
https://www.ccisab.ca/
Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association
https://www.ciwa-online.com/
The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth
http://www.cbfy.ca/
Want to help others in your community overcome obstacles? Here are few local opportunities to consider:

Propellus – The Volunteer Centre of Calgary
https://www.propellus.org/
Volunteer opportunities with the City of Calgary
http://www.calgary.ca/General/Pages/volunteer.aspx
Volunteer Connector
https://www.volunteerconnector.org/volunteer/browse/page-1/
Blood donor clinics
(search “Calgary” for nearby clinics)
https://blood.ca
Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta
https://www.habitatsouthernab.ca/
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area
http://bbbscalgary.ca/