ACT AP
Two hands holding a piece of cardboard with the word "support" written on it

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.

View glossary

I'm a community partner

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)

  • 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…

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Concurrent Disorders Certificate Program

    The Concurrent Disorders Certificate Program is designed to help participants gain skills and knowledge to better identify, assess and provide treatment to people with concurrent disorders. This program requires the completion of a core course followed by two electives, plus a learning contract assignment (details will be provided at the start of the core course). All the courses are offered online.

  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Mental Health 101 Series, Bipolar Disorder

    Knowing that knowledge is power, our hope for these tutorials is twofold. One, that you come away with a greater understanding of the core concepts presented. And two, that they help you and those around you begin to break down barriers and dispel the stigma associated with mental illness and addiction, and help bring these issues into the daylight where they belong. We have several topics for you to explore – click here for information on 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Housing First

    Housing First involves moving people experiencing homelessness —particularly people experiencing chronic homelessness—rapidly from the street or emergency shelters into stable and long-term housing, with supports. Stable housing provides a platform to deliver services to address issues frequently faced among the chronically and episodically homeless. The goal is to encourage housing stability and improved quality of life for persons served by Housing First and, to the extent possible, foster self-sufficiency.

  • 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. 

  • Canadian Mental Health Association: British Columbia Division

    In BC, mental health, substance use and addictive behaviour are within the scope of the organization. Through our family of over 100 local, provincial and national locations across Canada, CMHA provides a wide range of innovative services and supports tailored to and in partnership with our communities. 

  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Mental Health 101 Series, Bipolar Disorder

    Knowing that knowledge is power, our hope for these tutorials is twofold. One, that you come away with a greater understanding of the core concepts presented. And two, that they help you and those around you begin to break down barriers and dispel the stigma associated with mental illness and addiction, and help bring these issues into the daylight where they belong. We have several topics for you to explore – click here for information on Concurrent Disorders.

  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Mental Health 101 Series, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

    Knowing that knowledge is power, our hope for these tutorials is twofold. One, that you come away with a greater understanding of the core concepts presented. And two, that they help you and those around you begin to break down barriers and dispel the stigma associated with mental illness and addiction, and help bring these issues into the daylight where they belong. We have several topics for you to explore – click here for information on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Mental Health 101 Series, Psychosis

    Knowing that knowledge is power, our hope for these tutorials is twofold. One, that you come away with a greater understanding of the core concepts presented. And two, that they help you and those around you begin to break down barriers and dispel the stigma associated with mental illness and addiction, and help bring these issues into the daylight where they belong. We have several topics for you to explore – click here for information on Psychosis. 

  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Mental Health 101 Series, Schizophrenia

    Knowing that knowledge is power, our hope for these tutorials is twofold. One, that you come away with a greater understanding of the core concepts presented. And two, that they help you and those around you begin to break down barriers and dispel the stigma associated with mental illness and addiction, and help bring these issues into the daylight where they belong. We have several topics for you to explore – click here for information on Schizophrenia.

  • Mental Health Commission of Canada: Mental Health First Aid

    Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis. Course participants will learn how to recognize signs that a person may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis and encourage that person to: Talk about declines in their mental well-being; Discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery to improved mental well-being

    Reach out to these supports; Assist in a mental health or substance use crisis;

    Use MHFA actions to maintain one’s own mental well-being.

  • 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: 

    1. Making the Act more understandable; and
    2. 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.