Richmond ACT Team

Welcome to the Richmond ACT Team Page!

Referral Information

Unlike other communities, the Richmond ACT Team does accept referrals from non-health authority service providers, including General Practitioners and Psychiatrists from the Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit at Richmond Hospital. All referrals for Richmond ACT go through Richmond Central Intake. For further information, please call (604) 204-1111. 

Richmond ACT Team

We want our clients, their family and our community partners to know that “engagements” are the hallmark of our work with clients.  These meetings with our clients are held in the community at a location that works best for the client. Locations vary widely, from client’s homes to coffee shops, parks, and anywhere else that makes sense to the team member considering safety as the primary condition.

These meetings usually last between 30 minutes to an hour, but can be adjusted based on client needs and team capacity.  Some engagements involve taking clients to appointments or bringing them to the team office for meetings.

ACT clients can be challenging to engage with, especially as they are getting to know our team.  Significant and sustained effort is often required to locate clients, and to encourage them to engage.  

Client Testimonial

“The best, best nurse & best OT, they take care of me, look out for me, they sit and listen to me. The doctors are great. They all do a great job. They got me furniture and helped me settle into my place, I’m so grateful. They act with diplomacy” (Client, Richmond ACT Team, April 2022).
 

Common ACT Acronyms 
ACT             Assertive Community Treatment
ADLs           Activities of Daily Living
AMA           Against Medical Advice
IM               Intra Muscular (Injection) 
MHA           Mental Health ACT
NP              Nurse Practitioner
VAT             Vulnerability Assessment Tool (for housing)

Services we access frequently in our community

Housing

Housing is an important part of our work. Some clients have no fixed address and require support to find appropriate housing. These clients may be temporarily staying in shelters or with friends/family, living outdoors or in their car, and/or coming out of treatment or detention centres. Clients are often at risk of losing their housing due to various factors. Our role is to support clients in finding and maintaining housing. This may include helping clients find emergency shelter, assisting with housing search, attending viewings, completing housing applications and/or applying for funding, attending housing rounds with the housing team, and meeting with supported housing managers, team members and clients to discuss and resolve concerns.   
Housing can be categorized under either: emergency, supported or market

EMERGENCY HOUSING

For women, with or without children, who are at risk of violence, or who have experienced violence, below is the Transition Houses and Safe Homes List for emergency shelter needs: https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/women-fleeing-violence/transition-houses-safe-homes 

SHELTER INFORMATION

Richmond Emergency Housing Shelter: Richmond House Emergency Shelter – Richmond Community Church (salvationarmyrichmond.org)

When Richmond Centre is full contact BC 211.

Treatment

Services listed focused on mental health and/or substance use. A more comprehensive list of healthcare services for Richmond residents found here: http://www.vch.ca/locations-services?search_term=richmond 

OUTPATIENT SERVICES

Anne Vogel Clinic: Provides medical care and social supports to individuals who are living with opioid use disorder in Richmond. Services include: Opioid agonist therapy program (methadone, suboxone), Take Home Naloxone Kits and training, Group and individual counselling, Needle exchange and safer-use supplies, Harm reduction education, Referrals to community resources, Advocacy, Treatment referrals, Education/Support groups, Primary care services for clinic patients with substance use issues. 
More information: http://www.vch.ca/Locations-Services/result?res_id=1143 
Contact Information:  #210 – 7671 Alderbridge Way, Richmond, BC  V6X 1Z9, 
Phone: (604) 675-3975 Fax: (604) 303-1914 

Foundry Richmond: One-stop-shop for young people (ages 12-24) to access mental health care, substance use services, primary care, social services and peer supports. Richmond location offers free drop-in or virtual counselling, sexual health services, and youth and family peer support programs. 
More Information: https://foundrybc.ca/richmond 
Contact Information: Unit 115 - 8100 Granville Ave, Richmond, BC  V6Y1R4
Phone: (604) 674-0550

Pathways Clubhouse: Richmond non-profit who provides diverse services from individuals living with mental illness including employment, education, housing, and social activities including daily low-cost lunches. Currently partnered with VCH to provide employment and volunteer opportunities for ACT clients.
More Information: https://pathwaysclubhouse.com/ 
Contact Information: 315 - 8111 Granville Avenue, Richmond, BC, V6Y 1P5
Phone: (604) 276-8834 

Richmond Addiction Services Society: Offer individual and family counselling, outreach counselling and case management to seniors at home, addiction education seminars, and support group. 
More information: https://www.richmondaddictions.ca/ 
 

Richmond Mental Health Consumer and Friends’ Society (RCFC): Self-governing peer run mental health organization who provide peer support and a full calendar of interesting and diverse activities to all adult mental health consumers living in Richmond. Programs include: Peer Support Program, Peer Support Social Group, and Therapeutic Recreation Program. 
More Information: http://www.vch.ca/Locations-Services/result?res_id=1449 
Contact Information: 210-7671 Alderbridge Way, Richmond, BC, V6X 1Z9, 
Phone: (604) 675-3977 extension 1 Fax: (604) 214-0947