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B.C. Launches Text-Based Support Line for Tradespeople Living with Chronic Pain

On Apr 29, 2026

The Province of British Columbia, in partnership with Pain BC, has launched a new text-based support service aimed at helping tradespeople manage chronic pain and access mental-health and substance-use resources. The service, known as the Guide Line, provides free and confidential support tailored to the needs of workers in physically demanding industries.

The initiative allows tradespeople to connect directly with trained staff by texting “TRADES” to a dedicated number, offering an immediate and accessible entry point to care. Operating Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., the service is designed to help individuals discuss how chronic pain is affecting their lives and begin developing strategies to improve their well-being.

The Guide Line connects users to a range of supports, including emotional assistance, low-cost or free counselling, and specialized pain management programs. It also provides guidance on accessing local pain clinics and community-based services across British Columbia. In addition to pain-specific resources, the service offers tools and referrals for mental-health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as substance-use supports, including harm-reduction services and peer-led groups tailored to the trades sector.

B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne said the initiative addresses a critical gap in care. She noted that chronic pain often goes untreated due to stigma or lack of accessible services, adding that the new platform enables faster connection to support through a simple text-based approach.

The provincial government is investing $1.8 million into the program, which will also fund the development of peer-support groups and targeted educational resources for both workers and employers. These efforts aim to improve awareness of chronic pain’s impact on tradespeople and encourage earlier intervention.

According to data from the BC Coroners Service, trades workers represent a significant portion of those affected by substance-related harms. In 2025, 21% of individuals who died from toxic drug exposure were employed in trades, transport, or equipment operation roles. The data also shows that 77% of such deaths were male, reflecting the demographic composition of the trades workforce, which is estimated at 95% male based on figures from the British Columbia Construction Association.

Pain BC CEO Maria Hudspith said the service responds to longstanding gaps in support for trades workers, who often face cultural and structural barriers to seeking help. The Guide Line is intended to reduce isolation and ensure individuals do not have to manage chronic pain without assistance.

The program forms part of the province’s broader strategy to expand mental-health and substance-use care, which includes increased treatment capacity, new recovery beds, and expanded access to support services across multiple communities. By targeting a high-risk and underserved workforce, the Guide Line aims to improve early access to care and reduce long-term health impacts associated with untreated chronic pain.