If you are connected to SAJE supports, you may have access to up to $1,500 per year for counselling through the Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment program.
Leaving care, building independence, or trying to stabilize life as a young adult can be a lot to carry alone.
What many young adults wish they knew earlier:
It can be hard to know where to start, who to book with, what counselling can help with, or whether your situation qualifies. That uncertainty can make it easy to put things off, even when support is available.
Nightingale is designed to make counselling simple, supportive, and useful from the first step.
Many young adults are not sure whether they qualify for SAJE supports. If you have had experience in the B.C. care system, you may be eligible for counselling funding through the Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment program.
Young adults aged 19 up to their 27th birthday may be eligible if they:
If you are participating in an eligible SAJE agreement, such as Unconditional Income Support, Conditional Income Support, a SAJE Housing Agreement, or a SAJE Support Agreement, you may also qualify for the SAJE Mental Health and Counselling Benefit.
The counselling benefit may provide up to $1,500 per calendar year toward approved counselling and mental health services.
The Province of British Columbia provides a quick online eligibility check to help determine which SAJE supports you may be eligible for.
Once you have confirmed you are eligible, complete the Province’s Request for SAJE Mental Health and Counselling Benefits form.
This form allows SAJE Provincial Support Services to review your request, approve your chosen counsellor, and arrange direct payment to your provider. Once approved, you and your counsellor receive a confirmation letter, and your counsellor invoices the program directly.
Whether you have already submitted your application or you are simply exploring your options, we are happy to help.
During your free Discovery Session, we can explain how the SAJE counselling benefit works, answer questions about the process, and match you with a counsellor based on your goals, preferences, and availability.
SAJE counselling support can be used during a time when a lot may be changing at once: housing, school, work, family relationships, identity, finances, independence, or connection to community.
You do not need to have one perfect reason for starting counselling. Many people begin because they feel overwhelmed, disconnected, unsure, anxious, burned out, or stuck in patterns they want to understand and change.
Counselling can give you a steady place to sort through what is happening and build practical next steps.
You do not need to know exactly what to ask for. You do not need to have everything organized. You just need a starting point.
Our free Discovery Session is a short, focused conversation that helps you understand whether counselling is a good fit, what kind of support may be useful, and which counsellor may be right for you.
We help you understand what counselling could focus on and what the first steps would look like.
You are not left to choose from a list alone. We recommend a counsellor based on your needs and preferences.
You are not expected to commit to ongoing counselling during the Discovery Session.
You can ask about counselling, SAJE coverage, scheduling, online options, and what to expect.
Start with clarity, not more uncertainty.
