British Columbia has introduced a new text-based support service designed to help tradespeople cope with chronic pain, offering a simple way to access counselling, pain management programs, and mental-health resources.
Called the Guide Line, the service is run by Pain BC with $1.8 million in provincial funding. Trades workers can connect with trained staff by texting “TRADES” to 1-833-261-PAIN. The program is free, confidential, and available Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Ben Marsolais, who sits on Pain BC’s trades and pain advisory committee, says the initiative is aimed at shifting deeply rooted attitudes within the industry. He notes that many workers have long felt pressure to endure pain without speaking up, a mindset he describes as harmful rather than resilient. The new campaign, he says, is intended to highlight the need for change and ensure workers receive meaningful support.
The Guide Line provides assistance not only to tradespeople but also to their families and caregivers. It offers access to emotional support, affordable or no-cost counselling, pain management programs, and information about specialized clinics. Staff can also connect users with community-based resources across the province.
In addition to pain-related services, the program helps individuals find mental-health supports, including guidance on managing stress, anxiety, and depression. It also directs users to substance-use and addiction resources, such as harm-reduction tools, peer-support networks, and services tailored specifically to the trades sector.
Funding will further support the development of peer-led wellness groups and educational resources customized for both workers and employers.
Pain BC’s CEO, Maria Hudspith, says the initiative addresses a long-standing gap. She points out that the physically demanding nature of trades work often leads to higher rates of chronic pain, yet dedicated support has been limited. The Guide Line, she says, is intended to ensure workers no longer have to face these challenges on their own.
Data from the BC Coroners Service highlights the risks facing this workforce. In 2025, most deaths linked to toxic drugs occurred among people aged 30 to 59, accounting for 69 per cent of cases. Men represented 77 per cent of deaths, and individuals working in trades, transport, or equipment operation made up 21 per cent. The British Columbia Construction Association notes that men comprise 95 per cent of the province’s trades workforce.
Health Minister Josie Osborne says the service is meant to make it easier for people to seek help. By removing barriers and offering a quick, accessible entry point, the program aims to connect workers with care sooner and support broader efforts to strengthen mental-health and substance-use services.
Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions, adds that many tradespeople may hesitate to reach out or struggle to find support that fits their circumstances. She says the Guide Line is designed to provide timely, confidential access to services when individuals feel ready to seek help.
The provincial government describes the initiative as part of a broader strategy to expand mental-health and addiction supports. This includes thousands of publicly funded addiction treatment beds—more than 829 of which have been added since 2017—as well as services such as the Opioid Treatment Access Line, Foundry youth centres, First Nations healing facilities, and supportive housing programs.
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