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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 211 British Columbia
.211 is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community. We provide information and referral to a broad range of community, government, and social services that assist with: basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, support for seniors, and much more.
- BC Disability Benefits: Help Sheets
Our BC Disability Benefits Help Sheets are our most popular downloads. These self-help guides will explain various benefits and programs, and how to apply for them.
- 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.
- 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.
- Community Legal Assistance Society
CLAS is a non-profit law firm serving people in BC since 1971. We provide legal assistance and work to advance the law to address the critical needs of those who are disadvantaged or face discrimination.
- Legal Aid BC
Legal Aid BC is a non-profit organization created by the Legal Services Society (LSS) Act in 1979 to provide legal information, advice, and representation services. Our priority is to serve the interests of people with low incomes, but many of our services are available to all British Columbians. For more about our history, here's a brief overview. We're funded by the provincial government, with additional support from the Law Foundation of BC and the Notary Foundation of BC. We're accountable to the public and remain independent of government.
- 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.
- Provincial Addiction Program: Provincial
We work with partners throughout British Columbia to offer 30 specialized addiction treatment beds to adults who need help with severe substance use. These beds are available only by referral from a health care professional."
- Provincial Integrated Mental Health & Addiction Program: Heartwood Centre for Women
The Heartwood Centre for Women, located in Vancouver, is a 30-bed residential facility that provides integrated treatment for women (19+), including trans women, across British Columbia who struggle with severe substance use and mental health challenges.
- Provincial Integrated Mental Health & Addiction Program: Red Fish Healing Centre
The new 105-bed facility will treat people across the province who live with the most severe, complex substance use and mental health issues. Recovery and treatment services like these are a key part of the continuum of mental health and substance use care in B.C. as well as a vital part of addressing B.C.'s toxic drug crisis.
- Provincial Mental Health Program: Adult Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Assessments
We fund Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) assessments for incarcerated adults to decide whether they are eligible for services from Community Living BC, an organization that provides services for people with developmental disabilities.
- Provincial Mental Health Program: BC Psychosis Program
The BC Psychosis Program, located in Vancouver, B.C., provides specialized treatment to adults (18+) across the province with a psychotic illness. People may be referred to this 25-bed program when other treatment approaches have not met their needs.
Resources
Something you can read
The resources listed below are informational resources you can read to help you or your family on their journey.
- 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.
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) - Close to Home
Close to Home details the challenges family members and caregivers face when seeking to support loved ones who struggle with substance use disorders. It also outlines priorities and action items for the BCCSU Network of Family Members and Caregivers, the Provincial Government, and the regional health authorities.
- British Columbia Patient Advocates
Canadian Health Advocates Inc. (CHAI) has a growing network of health advocates in British Columbia and across Canada. Our advocates have years of experience and have developed a deep understanding of the best way to navigate the BC health care system. Your British Columbia patient advocate can help ensure you or your loved one access the highest level of public and private care that BC has to offer as well as offer virtual (online) support to patients in rural areas.
- British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use (BCMHSU): Concurrent Disorders Webinar Series
The Concurrent Disorders Webinar Series has been developed by the Health Literacy Working Group, a patient- and family-led committee working to advance health literacy across BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services and beyond. The free, quarterly webinar series aims to help patients and families better understand topics relating to mental health and substance use issues, or concurrent disorders.
- Canadian Mental Health Association: Coping with Mental Health Crises and Emergencies
Experiencing worsening symptoms for a short period of time is a normal part of the recovery process. Sometimes we need outside help when symptoms become worse. Some people may also need urgent emergency help if they’re at risk of hurting themselves or others. Fortunately, we can take steps to help control mental health crises and emergencies. Explore this resource to learn more.
- National Harm Reduction Coalition: Responding to an Opioid Overdose
National Harm Reduction Coalition’s mission is to promote the health and dignity of individuals and communities affected by drug use. As a national advocacy and capacity building organization, we aim to shift power and resources to people most vulnerable to structural violence and racialized drug policies.
- 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.
- Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA): Challenging Stigma Through Story Telling
The UNITE project features a three-part mini-documentary series based on the related stories of people living with mental health and addiction challenges. Each video is six minutes long and features the voices of patient partners Chris, Charles and L.T. bravely sharing how stigma in the healthcare system has impacted their lives, what has helped bridge these gaps, and what their hopes are for the future.
- National Harm Reduction Coalition: Principals of Harm Reduction
National Harm Reduction Coalition’s mission is to promote the health and dignity of individuals and communities affected by drug use. As a national advocacy and capacity building organization, we aim to shift power and resources to people most vulnerable to structural violence and racialized drug policies.
- Toward the Heart: Quick Learn on Naloxone Administration
A 15-25 minute interactive lesson on how to respond to an overdose.
- 211 British Columbia
.211 is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community. We provide information and referral to a broad range of community, government, and social services that assist with: basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, support for seniors, and much more.
- Assisted Living Registry
All assisted living residences are required to be registered with the Assisted Living Registrar.
- BC Housing
The provincial crown agency that develops, manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing options for those in greatest need.
- Emergency Housing
For information regarding emergency shelter, visit this website.
- John Howard Society of British Columbia - Housing Services
We are experiencing a housing affordability crisis in BC. Many people are unable to afford housing, let alone suitable housing that meets their needs. Homelessness, risk of homelessness, and inadequate housing affects a diverse and growing population and is often the result of a cumulative impact of several factors, rather than a single cause. Recognizing the need for long-term supports, we offer a continuum of housing and wraparound services across BC that meet people where they are at and support their evolving needs. This ensures that we can support people to not only secure but to maintain safe, affordable housing
- All Provincial Health Authorities: Early Psychosis Intervention
Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) programs help people who have recently started to experience psychosis symptoms. The Early Psychosis website can help you find services or programs in BC. They also offer information about psychosis, assessments, managing psychosis, and supporting someone who experiences psychosis.
- 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.
- Community Living Authority Act
Information on Community Living ACT.
- Health Care Consent in BC: Your Rights and the Law
This fact sheet is about the rights of adults (19 and older) related to health care decision making in BC.
- Ministry of Health: Incapacity Planning
Representation agreements and enduring powers of attorney are two types of legal documents which allow individuals to plan for the possibility of future incapability. Find out more here.
- Public Guardian and Trustee: Information
This resource helps to explain the fundamental principles embedded in the adult guardianship legislation.
- The Office of the Ombudsperson, B.C.’s Independent Voice for Fairness
Committed to Change: Protecting the Rights in Involuntary Patients under the Mental Health Act is a report on a systemic investigation conducted in 2019 into the extent to which health authorities, and the psychiatric facilities they operate, are complying with their obligation to complete Forms 4, 5, 6, 13, 15 and 16 in relation to involuntary admissions.
- Street Survival Guide
This resource is intended for families of people dealing with a mental illness. The focus is on helping families to be informed caregivers, particularly around the necessity to care for themselves and other family members, whose needs are as important as those of the ill relative.
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use (CCSU): Insights on Substance Use, Understanding the Science on Substance Use Disorder
An Act of Parliament created the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) in 1988 as a non-governmental organization to provide national leadership on substance use and to advance solutions to address alcohol- and other drug-related harms. To learn more about Substance Use Disorder (SUD), explore this online module.
- Lifeguard Digital Health App
The Lifeguard Digital Health App was developed by a digital health company that aims to create life-saving apps and assists to promote safer living. Their goal is to reduce harm and prevent unintentional deaths for people of all ages. This app was developed in response to the opioid crisis.
- 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.