Support for parents, moms and dads
Groups, help lines and good information for the days parenting is a lot. We started close to home on Vancouver Island and in BC, then Canada, then online. Every link was opened and read before it went on this page.
If you need help right now
If anyone is in danger or has been hurt, call 911. These lines are free and confidential:
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or text if you are thinking about suicide or worried about someone else.
HealthLink BC
Health advice from nurses and health service navigators.
310 Mental Health Support
Emotional support and mental health information. No area code needed.
Kids Help Phone
Free, confidential support for kids, teens and young adults by phone, text or chat.
Provincial Centralized Screening (Ministry of Children and Family Development)
Report a concern that a child or youth is being abused or neglected. You don't have to give your name. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Helpline for Children
For a child or youth who is unsafe or being abused, or knows someone who is.
Lines checked October 24, 2026. Every support line for Canada, by province where we have them.
For every parent and caregiver
Parenting help, local services, and support for families going through separation, without taking sides.
- Vancouver Island
Pacific Centre Family Services Association
Counselling for children, youth, adults, couples and families on the West Shore and in Sooke. Most of its funded services cost nothing, and there’s a lower-cost counselling option too.
- For
- Families in Colwood, Langford, Sooke, View Royal, Metchosin and Highlands
- How
- In person, Online, Phone
- Cost
- Free and paid
250.478.8357 (Press #2)Visit Pacific Centre Family Services Association (opens in a new tab) - BC
Parent Support Services Society of BC
Free support groups for parents in more than seven languages, plus workshops, one-on-one parenting support and a help line for grandparents and relatives raising a child.
- For
- Parents, grandparents and other relatives raising children
- How
- Online, In person, Phone
- Cost
- Free
- BC
211 British Columbia
A free, confidential line that connects you with services near you: parenting programs, counselling, family resource centres and more.
- For
- Anyone in BC looking for local help
- How
- Phone, Online
- Cost
- Free
Call or text 2-1-1Visit 211 British Columbia (opens in a new tab) - BC
Parenting After Separation courses (Government of BC)
Free online courses, about three hours each, that help separating parents think through parenting arrangements and child support. There’s a general course in English, French and Punjabi, and one for Indigenous families.
- For
- Parents and family members in BC going through separation or divorce
- How
- Online
- Cost
- Free
- BC
Family Justice Counsellors (Government of BC)
Family mediators who help separating parents agree on parenting arrangements and support without going to court, at no charge.
- For
- Separating parents and other family members in BC
- How
- In person, Phone, Online
- Cost
- Free
- BC
Families Change
A website about separation and divorce, with separate sections written for kids, teens and parents. General information, not legal advice.
- For
- Parents, and their kids and teens
- How
- Online
- Cost
- Free
- BC
Family Law in BC
Plain-language information on parenting time and guardianship after separation, with a weekday line you can call or text. Information, not a lawyer.
- For
- Parents in BC working out arrangements after separation
- How
- Online, Phone
- Cost
- No fee listed
1-855-875-8867Visit Family Law in BC (opens in a new tab) - Canada
Caring for Kids (Canadian Paediatric Society)
Health and parenting information from Canada’s children’s doctors: newborns, development, sleep, safety, food and mental health.
- For
- Parents and caregivers
- How
- Online
- Cost
- Free
- International (online)
Raising Children Network
Free, independent parenting information from newborns to teens, funded by the Australian Government. Most of it applies wherever you live.
- For
- Parents and caregivers
- How
- Online
- Cost
- Free
For moms
From the first weeks with a new baby to raising kids on your own.
- Vancouver Island
1Up Single Parent Resource Centre
A Victoria charity for single parents. Its Moms & Mentors program pairs single mothers with volunteer mentors, and it offers short-term counselling, a weekly free grocery day and parenting courses.
- For
- Single parents in Greater Victoria (members apply with proof of single-parent status)
- How
- In person
- Cost
- Free
- BC
Pacific Post Partum Support Society
Call or text support for new parents who are struggling after a baby arrives, plus peer support groups online and in person.
- For
- New parents in BC; the groups are for parents with a baby under 18 months
- How
- Phone, Online, In person
- Cost
- No fee listed
(604) 255-7999 or toll-free (855) 255-7999Visit Pacific Post Partum Support Society (opens in a new tab) - BC
BC Women’s Reproductive Mental Health
BC’s clinic for mental health during pregnancy and the months after birth, by referral. Its page also has self-care guides, videos and fact sheets anyone can use.
- For
- Anyone in BC with depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns in pregnancy or after birth; the clinic needs a referral from a doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife
- How
- In person, Online
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Canada
La Leche League Canada
Volunteer-led breastfeeding support across Canada, with free drop-ins online and in person and free online prenatal breastfeeding classes.
- For
- Breastfeeding and chestfeeding parents, and expecting families
- How
- Online, In person
- Cost
- Free and paid
- International (online)
Postpartum Support International: online support groups
Free peer support groups on Zoom for depression, anxiety and loss around pregnancy and birth, including groups for single parents, military moms and parents of multiples or NICU babies.
- For
- Pregnant and postpartum parents anywhere (groups run on US Eastern time)
- How
- Online
- Cost
- Free
- International (online)
Twiniversity
Free guides, a podcast and a community for families expecting or raising twins, plus paid classes and a tool for finding a twins club near you.
- For
- Parents of twins and people expecting them
- How
- Online
- Cost
- Free and paid
For dads
New dads, stay-at-home dads, separated dads, and dads who are finding it hard.
- BC
Pacific Post Partum Support Society: for partners
The society’s call and text line is open to partners too, including new dads, and it runs information and support sessions for partners and couples.
- For
- Partners and non-birthing parents in BC with a new baby
- How
- Phone
- Cost
- No fee listed
(604) 255-7999 or toll-free (855) 255-7999Visit Pacific Post Partum Support Society: for partners (opens in a new tab) - BC
HeadsUpGuys
A Vancouver-based men’s mental health charity with a depression self-check, free self-guided courses and a page on depression in new dads.
- For
- Men dealing with depression or stress, including new and expecting dads
- How
- Online
- Cost
- Free
- Canada
Dad Central Canada
Free guides for new dads, a paternity leave checklist, a guide for separated dads that keeps the focus on staying close to your kids, and a podcast. Some courses cost money.
- For
- Fathers across Canada, including new and separated dads
- How
- Online
- Cost
- Free and paid
- International (online)
Postpartum Support International: help for dads
A free online peer support group just for dads, a private online group for fathers and weekly drop-in calls with an expert.
- For
- Dads and partners with depression or anxiety during pregnancy or after the birth
- How
- Online, App
- Cost
- Free
- International (online)
Family Man (Movember)
A free, short online parenting course from Movember: three episodes on encouraging good behaviour and handling misbehaviour.
- For
- Dads of young children
- How
- Online
- Cost
- Free
- International (online)
National At-Home Dad Network
A nonprofit for stay-at-home dads, with online chats, book clubs, a podcast and a directory of local dad groups (most in the US). Membership is $35 a year.
- For
- Stay-at-home and primary-caregiver dads
- How
- Online, In person
- Cost
- Paid
Know a good one we missed?
A group that helped you, near you or online? Tell us about it. We’ll check it and add it if it fits.
Kid Pickup isn’t affiliated with any of these organisations and doesn’t receive anything for listing them. This page is a starting point, not medical, legal or counselling advice. Details change, so check with each organisation before you rely on a time, a cost or a phone number.