Support & Resources
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<p>One of the ideas behind XU is that you can see almost everything about a handbag's exterior and almost nothing about what it carries, and people work the same way. XU isn't a mental-health or crisis service, and a handbag can't fix what's happening in someone's life. Still, if something here reminds you of what you've been carrying, I'd like that recognition to lead somewhere useful, whether you're looking for support for yourself, worried about someone else, or unsure where to begin. (Read more in <a href="/blogs/journal/what-we-carry">What We Carry</a>.)</p>
<h2>If you're thinking about suicide or worried about someone</h2>
<p><strong>9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline</strong><br>
Call <a href="tel:988">9-8-8</a> or text <a href="sms:988">9-8-8</a> any time, anywhere in Canada, in English or French. It's for anyone thinking about suicide or worried about someone they know, and nobody who reaches out is turned away. If 9-8-8 doesn't connect, call <a href="tel:18334564566">1-833-456-4566</a>.<br>
<a href="https://988.ca">988.ca</a></p>
<h2>If you need someone to talk to</h2>
<p><strong>310 Mental Health Support (B.C.)</strong><br>
Call <a href="tel:3106789">310-6789</a>, no area code needed, 24 hours a day, for mental-health support or referral.<br>
<a href="https://www.crisislines.bc.ca">crisislines.bc.ca</a></p>
<p><strong>HealthLink BC (B.C.)</strong><br>
Call <a href="tel:811">8-1-1</a> for free provincial health information and advice.<br>
<a href="https://www.healthlinkbc.ca">healthlinkbc.ca</a></p>
<p><strong>211</strong><br>
Call <a href="tel:211">2-1-1</a> or visit <a href="https://211.ca">211.ca</a> to find local counselling, health, housing, food and other community services. Options vary by region.</p>
<p><strong>Kids Help Phone</strong><br>
Call <a href="tel:18006686868">1-800-668-6868</a> or text CONNECT to <a href="sms:686868">686868</a>. It's open to all young people, and you don't need to be a kid to reach out.<br>
<a href="https://kidshelpphone.ca">kidshelpphone.ca</a></p>
<p><strong>Indigenous support</strong><br>
Hope for Wellness Help Line: call <a href="tel:18552423310">1-855-242-3310</a> or use the online chat at <a href="https://www.hopeforwellness.ca">hopeforwellness.ca</a>, 24 hours a day, for Indigenous people across Canada.<br>
KUU-US Crisis Line: call <a href="tel:18005888717">1-800-588-8717</a> for Indigenous peoples in B.C.</p>
<h2>If you're experiencing violence or abuse</h2>
<p>You don't have to decide whether what happened was "bad enough," or know what you want to do next, before you reach out.</p>
<p><strong>VictimLinkBC (B.C. and Yukon)</strong><br>
Call <a href="tel:18005630808">1-800-563-0808</a> or text <a href="sms:18005630808">1-800-563-0808</a>, 24 hours a day, for confidential information, referrals, and immediate crisis support for family and sexual violence, in up to 150 languages. You can reach out even if you aren't sure whether you've been a victim of a crime.<br>
<a href="https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/victims-of-crime/victimlinkbc">VictimLinkBC</a></p>
<p><strong>BC Society of Transition Houses directory</strong><br>
Search for transition houses, second and third stage housing, safe homes and related programs across B.C., then contact the program directly.<br>
<a href="https://bcsth.ca/directory">bcsth.ca/directory</a></p>
<h2>Outside B.C. or Canada</h2>
<p>If you're elsewhere in Canada, <a href="https://211.ca">211</a> can point you to services in your community. Outside Canada, please contact an official health, government, or recognized crisis service where you live.</p>
<h2>A note from XU</h2>
<p>I don't want XU to be a brand that tells you buying something will make you whole or more worthy. An object can carry meaning, keep a memory, or remind you of an intention, and there are still times when what you need is another person. If something here made you recognize something you've been carrying privately, you don't have to turn it into a lesson or a beautiful story before you ask for help, because needing help is reason enough.</p>
<p>Messages to XU aren't monitored around the clock, so if you need support now, please contact one of the services above.</p>
<p><em>Last reviewed: September 2026</em></p>