Resources and Services
All resources and services listed below are national or provincial and are available and/or relevant across British Columbia. Resources specific to your health authority can be found on the ACT Teams page in your community.
Glossary
Throughout the website, we aim to use language that is recovery-oriented and informed by the BCCDC Language Guide. In the “Glossary” section we provide a definition and where relevant, a rationale for some of the words we use.
I'm a client
See information on resources and services below.
Services
Someone who can help you
Below are services available and/or relevant across British Columbia.
- Provincial Crisis Lines
310 Mental Health Support: 310-6789
Emergency Crisis Line: 1-888-353-CARE (2273)
Suicide Prevention: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
KUU-US (Aboriginal) Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
Métis Crisis Cline: 1-833-METSBC (638-4722)
National Overdose Response Service: 888-688-NORS (6677)
- Urgent Primary Care Clinic’s
Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCCs) provide access to same-day, urgent, non-emergency health care. UPCCs are often open evening, weekends and statutory holidays (actual hours vary by clinic). UPCCs provide an alternative to visiting an emergency department for non-emergency issues. UPCC’s are available in many communities across BC as part of the Province’s Primary Care Strategy. UPCCs are regularly being launched across the province. Find your health authority to see if an UPCC is available near you.
- Here to Help BC: Getting by on Social Assistance
If you are living on disability assistance (also known as “Persons with Disability” or PWD benefits)—granted by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) under provincial Employment and Assistance legislation—you already know the harsh reality: the cost of living is going up every year. The last increase in the disability rates was in 2007, and there is no hint as to when the next increase may come. So if you are only getting the current disability rate of $906 per month, it’s important to be aware of all the benefits that may be available to you…
- Toward the Heart: Drug Checking Services
Drug checking services are now offered by a variety of harm reduction service providers across BC. Use this link to find the most current information.
- Toward the Heart: Overdose Prevention Sites
Overdose Prevention Sites are locations where people can use illegal drugs under supervision by trained staff who can provide emergency response services if necessary. The Health Authority links embedded on this website have the most current information.
- Toward the Heart: Take Home Naloxone Program
BC Center for Disease Control started the Take Home Naloxone program in 2012 to provide life-saving training and kits to people at risk of an opioid overdose. There are now over 1300 sites participating across British Columbia.
- Aboriginal Legal Aid BC
We're here to help Aboriginal peoples in BC understand their legal rights by providing legal information and connecting communities to legal support. We follow the lead of our Indigenous Services division, who work to meet the legal needs of Aboriginal peoples in BC through innovative and culturally informed legal aid services. Legal Aid BC recently developed our Reconciliation Action Plan, which will guide our commitment to reconciliation.
- First Nations Health Authority eHealth
FNHA offers a variety of virtual health care services to First Nations people in BC who have limited access to health care services in their communities, who must travel long distances for appointments or whose access to health care has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The FNHA works with health care professionals to ensure that services are aligned with the principles and practices of cultural safety and humility and trauma-informed care.
- Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia (NCCABC)
The Native Courtworker program is here to help ensure you understand the criminal justice process, at the earliest possible stage. As well as obtain fair, just, equitable & culturally sensitive treatment before the courts.
- John Howard Society of British Columbia - Justice Services
We know that addressing the complex needs of individuals through effective reintegration programs and services is one of the primary factors in reducing recidivism. We are determined to foster and maintain public safety through programs and services that assist people impacted by or vulnerable to the criminal justice system to prevent crime and enhancing community inclusion.
- Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia (NCCABC)
The Native Courtworker program is here to help ensure you understand the criminal justice process, at the earliest possible stage. As well as obtain fair, just, equitable & culturally sensitive treatment before the courts.
- Aboriginal Legal Aid BC
We're here to help Aboriginal peoples in BC understand their legal rights by providing legal information and connecting communities to legal support. We follow the lead of our Indigenous Services division, who work to meet the legal needs of Aboriginal peoples in BC through innovative and culturally informed legal aid services. Legal Aid BC recently developed our Reconciliation Action Plan, which will guide our commitment to reconciliation.
- British Columbia Hearing Voices Network
Supporting people who hear voices, see visions or have other unusual sensory experiences
- Community Living BC
Community Living BC, or CLBC, is the provincial crown corporation that funds supports and services to adults with developmental disabilities, as well as individuals who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and who also have significant difficulty doing things on their own. The law that describes our role is the Community Living Authority Act.
Resources
Something you can read
The resources listed below are informational resources you can read to help you or your family on their journey.
- The Crisis Centre of British Columbia
The Crisis Centre of BC is dedicated to providing help and hope to individuals, organizations, and communities. Spanning the spectrum of crisis support, suicide prevention, and postvention, we engage staff and volunteers in a variety of services and programs that educate, train, and support the strength and capacity of individuals and communities.
- In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care
On June 19, 2020, Dr. Turpel-Lafond, an independent reviewer, was appointed by British Columbia’s Minister of Health, the Hon. Adrian Dix, to conduct a review of Indigenous specific racism in the provincial health care system.
- Toward the Heart: Quick Learn on Naloxone Administration
A 15-25 minute interactive lesson on how to respond to an overdose.
- In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care
On June 19, 2020, Dr. Turpel-Lafond, an independent reviewer, was appointed by British Columbia’s Minister of Health, the Hon. Adrian Dix, to conduct a review of Indigenous specific racism in the provincial health care system.
- Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), General Information on: Psychosis
In BC, mental health, substance use and addictive behaviour are within the scope of our organization. CMHA provides a wide range of innovative services and supports tailored to and in partnership with our communities. For example, this page provides an overview of Psychosis.
- Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia
The Mood Disorders Association of BC (MDABC) is a non-profit organization that provides treatment, support, education, and hope of recovery for people living with a mood disorder.
- BC Mental Health Act Rights Advice (MHRA)
The rights materials on this site were created by the Mental Health Act Rights Advice (MHARA) research team, which formed in fall 2017 at Simon Fraser University (SFU).
- BC Ministry of Health: Guide to the Mental Health Act
The “Guide to the Mental Health Act” provides information about British Columbia’s Mental Health Act (the Act). The Mental Health Act has significant implications for those whose lives it touches — those who receive involuntary treatment under the Act, their families, the public and those who use the Act.
The Guide has two purposes:
- Making the Act more understandable; and
- Promoting consistency in interpreting the Act so people who need involuntary psychiatric treatment receive help in a responsible and lawful manner.
- Public Guardian and Trustee: Information
This resource helps to explain the fundamental principles embedded in the adult guardianship legislation.
- Toward the Heart: Toxic Drug Alerts
This page contains important information about staying safe. Use this page for the latest alerts, and tips on how to stay safe.