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Local Resources

Mental Health Resources & Organizations

HELP LINES AND IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

If you or someone you know needs help in a mental health crisis:

• If you are in an emergency call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room. If your community has a mental health car, you can call 911 to request it.

• BC Crisis Centre www.crisiscentre.bc.ca - 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) if you are considering suicide, in distress, or are concerned about someone who may be. Get help right away. Calling is free and available 24/7. Community education is also available.

• Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (no area code needed)

(do not add 604, 778, or 250 before the number). Free and 24/7 availability.

• Kid’s Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) Phone counselling, web counselling, and referral services for children and youth. The service is completely anonymous and confidential. www.kidshelpphone.ca

• Mental Health Emergency Service (MHES): 604-874-7307 (24 hours crisis line) Mental health crisis intervention for people experiencing psychiatric emergencies or needing urgent support, information, and referrals to appropriate resources. For people who are feeling depressed or suicidal, seeking information about schizophrenia or other mental illnesses, or concerned about a friend or relative. Free service.

• Fraser Health crisis line: 604-951-8855 or 1-877-820-7444 (toll-free)

Suicide Prevention and Counselling

• SAFER: 604-675-3700/604-879-9251 Suicide Attempt Follow-up Education & Research Program (S.A.F.E.R.). Please contact the S.A.F.E.R. office for counseling or referral information. There is no fee for this service. S.A.F.E.R. also provides community education on the topic of suicide and a bereavement for those grieving a death by suicide. www.vch.ca/Pages/Suicide-Attempt-Follow-up,- Education---Research-SAFER.aspx?res_id=474

Family Services:

Victim Link BC (24/7 availability): 1-800-563-0808

Battered Women's Support Services Crisis and Intake: 1-855-687-1868 (available 24/7). bwss.org

Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) Social Services and Child Protection: 1-800-663-9122

8-1-1 for non-emergency information on how to access alternatives to toxic drug supply and substance use services.

BC211 Non-profit support for resources (including shelter information). Call or text 2-1-1

Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service:

1-800-663-1441 (toll-free in B.C.) or 604-660-9382 for resources and support

Helpful Websites:

URGENT CARE:

crisiscentre.bc.ca

vch.ca/your-care/emergency-care

kidshelpphone.ca

bwss.org

INFORMATION & SERVICES:

vch.ca/your-care/mental-health-substance-use

bouncebackbc.ca

anxietycanada.ca

bcmhsus.ca

cmha.bc.ca

mindhealthbc.ca mentalhealthliteracy.org mindyourmind.ca

openmindbc.ca

heretohelp.bc.ca

mdabc.net (Mood Disorders Association of BC)

bethere.org

headsupguys.org

qmunity.ca

optionsforsexualhealth.org naloxhome.com

smartrecovery.org

COUNSELLOR DIRECTORIES:

bc-counsellors.org

bcacc.ca

psychologists.bc.ca

acctcounsellor.com

CHILDREN & FAMILY: westcoastfamily.org keltymentalhealth.ca welcome.cmhacptk.ca

fsgv.ca (Family Services of Greater Vancouver)

foundrybc.ca

kidshelpphone.ca

bwss.org

TEENS & EMERGING ADULTS: bouncebackbc.ca

agedout.com

teenmentalhealth.org

youthspace.ca

foundrybc.ca

CHRISTIAN RESOURCES:

Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries – Equipping churches to support mental health and wellbeing. www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org

RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE
British Columbia - Health Link BC - BC government website with information and links to mental health services and substance use support and help. www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health-substance-use/resources
Care to Speak: www.careforcaregivers.ca/caretospeak - Care to Speak is a peer support service for those working in healthcare. Care to Speak provides non-judgmental and confidential mental health support. The service is available over the phone at 1-866- 802-7337 (PEER). An online chat is also available. It is available from 5pm to 9pm Monday to Friday and from 10am to 2pm Monday to Wednesday.
Here to Help: www.heretohelp.bc.ca - HeretoHelp provides information related to mental health and substance use. Their website includes personal stories, self-help resources and information about getting help now.
Heads Up Guys: www.headsupguys.org - Heads Up Guys is based out of the University of British Columbia and is part of the Men’s Depression and Suicide Network, a Canada-wide initiative to develop resources, services and programs to improve the mental health and well-being of men. Their website provides information, tips and advice to support men in their fight against depression.
MindHealthBC: www.mindhealthbc.ca - Developed by Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care, provides easy access to information and resources related to mental health and substance use conditions. Visit their website to find help for yourself or to help someone you know.
SMART Recovery BC: www.smartrecovery.org - SMARTRecovery BC provides addiction recovery support to individuals. The SMARTRecovery program is based on the latest scientific research and is part a world-wide community of science-based mutual help groups.
Mood Disorders Association of BC (MDABC): www.mdabc.net - MDABC is a non-profit organization that provides treatment, support, education, and hope of recovery for people living with a mood disorder. They serve to build awareness and understanding in communities throughout the province.
FOR FAMILIES:
BC Children's Hospital - Mental Health Services: www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/mental-health-services - BC Children's Hospital provides psychiatric assessment, short-term individual, family and group treatment for children.

Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre: www.keltymentalhealth.ca - The Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre is a provincial resource centre that provides mental health and substance use information, resources and peer support to children, youth and their families from across B.C. Toll-free anywhere in B.C. (1-800-665-1822).

Confident Parents: Thriving Kids: www.welcome.cmhacptk.ca - A parenting-focused, telephone-based coaching service for parents and caregivers, effective in reducing mild to moderate anxiety or behavioural challenges and promoting healthy child development (ages 3 – 12).

FOR YOUTH AND TEENS:

Youth/Teens Mental Health and Awareness: Whether you are managing a mental illness, supporting someone you care about, or looking to build your own overall health, we can help you build mental health skills and resilience for yourself and your family. www.cmha.bc.ca/types-programs-services/youth/

  • Bounce Back® for Teens: A free, program designed to help youth experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate depression, low mood, stress, or anxiety.

  • Blue Wave Youth Mental Health Program: Blue Wave provides youth with skills and support to face challenges in mental health and substance use problems.

  • Living Life to the Full for Teens - An eight-session, 12-hour mental health promotion course designed to help teens with low mood, anxiety, stress and life.

Foundrybc.ca: www.foundrybc.ca - offers health and wellness resources, services and supports for young people ages 12-24 across BC.

 

Please note: Information and contacts may have changed since the creation of this document – please check for current statuses of these services before using or contacting.

Vancouver Coastal Health Services: www.vch.ca/your-care/mental-health-substance-use:

Acute and short term treatment - Assessment, stabilization and short-term treatment for diagnoses such as major depression, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety disorders, psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, etc.

Addiction/Substance use – For those struggling with substance use and addiction, including detox, counselling and medication.

Children & youth mental health services - Support for children and youth with serious mental health difficulties or social, emotional or behaviour disturbances.

Community mental health - Services primarily for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, and mood disorders such as bipolar and major depressive disorders.

Eating disorders - For anyone struggling with body image, and eating disorders.

Harm reduction/needle exchange

LGBT2Q+ services

Online mental health & substance use services - Access help online at any time and place.

Outpatient services - Services for adults dealing with various forms of mental illness.

Suicide Attempt Follow-up, Education & Research (S.A.F.E.R.) - Counselling, support, and education for anyone feeling suicidal or has attempted suicide, and their friends or family members.

Support for friends and family - Support, counselling, information and referrals to mental health service for clients and their friends and family.

Tertiary mental health services - Specialized care to meet the needs of individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who have not been successfully treated by other program

Emergency mental health care - Learn more about what to expect before, during and after a mental health emergency

Mental Health Services - Websites

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS), an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), provides a range of specialized mental health and substance use services for adults across the province. www.bcmhsus.ca

Vancouver Coastal Health: www.vch.ca/your-care/mental-health-substance-use

• Acute and short term treatment - Assessment, stabilization and short-term treatment for diagnoses such as major depression, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety disorders, psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, etc.

• Addiction / Substance use - For those struggling with substance use or addiction, including detox, counselling and medication.

• Children & youth mental health services - Support for children and youth with serious mental health difficulties or social, emotional or behaviour disturbances.

• Community mental health - Wide array of services primarily for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, as well as mood disorders such as bipolar and major depressive disorders.

• Eating disorders - For anyone struggling with body image, disordered eating, and eating disorders.

• Harm reduction / needle exchange - Access supplies for safer drug injection and smoking, as well as information and referrals to health and substance use services.

• LGBT2Q+ services

• Online mental health & substance use services - Access help online at any time and place.

• Outpatient services - Services for adults dealing with various forms of mental illness.

  • Peer support - People who have first-hand experience with receiving mental health services are trained to work one-to-one with their peers.

• Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Deaf-Blind Well-Being Program - Mental health services for deaf, hard of hearing & deaf-blind people in BC

Mental health rehabilitation - Support for skill development, coaching and mentoring in life skills, education, work, relationships, self-management, and more.

• Gastown Vocational Services - East Hastings Street

• STEPS Mental Health Rehabilitation Program

• Suicide Attempt Follow-up, Education & Research (S.A.F.E.R.) - Counselling, support, end education for anyone feeling suicidal or has attempted suicide, and their friends or family members. 

• Support for friends and family - Support, counselling, information and referrals to mental health service for clients and their friends and family.

Supported housing - Access to mental health housing for adults with serious and persistent mental illness.

• Mental Health and Substance Use Supported Housing Services - Vancouver

• Mental Health and Substance Use Supportive Housing Service - Sunshine Coast

• Tertiary mental health services - Specialized care to meet the needs of individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who have not been successfully treated by other programs

• Emergency mental health care - Learn more about what to expect before, during and after a mental health emergency

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Please note: Information and contacts may have changed since the creation of this document – please check for current statuses of these services before using or contacting.

Fraser Health Mental Health Services

Mental Health and Substance Use: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/mental-health-and-substance-use#.Y8L9ZBXMKM9 Fraser Health crisis line: 604-951-8855 or 1-877-820-7444 (toll-free)  

  • Trained volunteers provide emotional crisis support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Services and information:

• Emergency help for mental health and substance use concerns

• Mental health resources to support you during COVID-19

• Online substance use relapse prevention

• Indigenous menatal health services

• Mental heath and substance use cetres

• Mental health and substance use services / family support services and resources rehabitiaion and recovery

• Over dose prevention and relapse

• Child and youth mental health

• Substance use (addiction) services

• Mental Health hospital care

• Mental health and substance use screening self-tests

• Mental health conditions and symptoms

• Higher care (tertiary) services

• Supported housing services

• Mental Health Act

• Mediation for mental health conditions

• Mental Wellness resources and information

Are you looking for mental health and/or substance use support in British Columbia?

Visit Mental Health and Substance Use Supports in B.C.

  • An online resource of over 6,000+ mental health and substance use services. Or, call 8-1-1 any time of the day or night for help navigating the mental health system. For the deaf and hard of hearing call 7-1-1 (TTY) or for VRS, visit Video Relay Services to sign up and give them the number 604-215-5101 to call us.

Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division

Canadian Mental Health Association – Wellness programs https://cmha.bc.ca/programs-and-services/

CMHA believes that good mental health is essential to overall health and well-being. Whether you are managing a mental illness, supporting someone you care about, or looking to build your own overall health, we can help you build mental health skills and resilience for yourself and your family.

  • Bounce Back®: A free, evidence-based program designed to help adults and youth experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate depression, low mood, or stress, with or without anxiety.

  • Living Life to the Full: An eight-session, 12-hour mental health promotion course designed to help people deal with low mood, anxiety, stress and everyday life challenges.

  • Confident Parents: Thriving Kids: Anxiety & Behaviour Parent-Support programs

​​

Please note: Information and contacts may have changed since the creation of this document – please check for current statuses of these services before using or contacting.

Emergency mental health care – Retrieved from the Coastal Health website

Do not be alone with someone you fear and do not handle a crisis alone. Call family, friends, neighbours, people from your place of worship, people from a local support group, a crisis line, the Access and Assessment Center (AAC) or 911 to access help.

It can be emotional when you are with someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis. As their loved one, you may be feeling a mix of emotions from frustration to sadness and worry. It is an overwhelming and uncertain situation.

How should I talk to a person in crisis?

Your loved one may have a limited attention span, find it hard to concentrate, or find it difficult to listen. Here are some tips on how best to communicate with them:

  • Stay calm. Talk slowly and use reassuring tones.

  • Ask simple questions. Repeat them if necessary, using the same words each time.

  • Give your loved one lots of space (physical and emotional).

  • Say, "I'm here. I care. I want to help. How can I help you?"

  • Don't take your loved one's actions or hurtful words personally.

  • Don't say, "Snap out of it," "Get over it," or "Stop acting crazy".

How can I convince my loved one to go to the emergency department voluntarily?

  • Talk with your loved one about the behaviours you have seen.

  • Assure them that the hospital is a safe place for severe symptoms to pass and for medication to be adjusted.

  • Tell your loved one that getting help does not mean they failed. A mental illness is just like any other illness that needs treatment, like diabetes or heart disease.

  • Help your loved one pack comfortable clothing and safe items that are reminders of home.

  • Offer the person choices, such as going to the hospital with you or with another loved one.

  • If your loved one is still resistant to this option, consider consulting the Access and Assessment Center (AAC) or police involvement.

What happens if the police or the RCMP are called?

  • The police/RCMP will gather information about the situation and may attend in-person to speak with the individual of concern on the same day or will arrange to respond at another time.

  • When the police/RCMP attend in person, they will inform your loved one of their role and why they are there.

  • They will assess the situation and the health of your loved one. A community mental health nurse may also attend with the police to help assess your loved one. 

  • If your loved one requires further assessment of their physical and mental health needs, they will be advised to follow up with a treatment plan.

  • If the situation requires more immediate action and the person refuses to get help, the police/RCMP will take them to the hospital; the police will stay until a physician assesses the person.

​​

Please note: Information and contacts may have changed since the creation of this document – please check for current statuses of these services before using or contacting.

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