Mental Health Information

The more we learn about mental health and mental illnesses, the better equipped we are to maintain and improve mental health for ourselves and others. Whether you are looking for more information on a specific mental illness, need some tips on keeping your own mental health in balance, or are looking for help for yourself or someone you care about, we can help.

Find Help Now

You may feel like this isn’t the time to reach out for help or use emergency resources, but it’s important to seek help no matter what else is going on. Emergency rooms, emergency responders, and other crisis workers are there for you no matter why you need help.

The following are emergencies. In these situations, please seek help right away.

  • Thinking about ending your life or trying to end your life
  • Experiencing sensations that aren’t real and/or beliefs that can’t possibly be true
  • Making choices that put you in serious danger
  • Becoming unable to care for yourself
  • Experiencing medication problems like serious side effects
  • Experiencing an alcohol or any other drug overdose
  • Taking a dangerous combination of substances (like benzodiazepines and alcohol)

Call 911

Go to the nearest emergency room or follow the emergency instructions provided by your doctor, mental health professional or care team. If your community has a mental health care, you can call 911 to request it.

Interior Crisis Line

1-888-353-2273

24 hours a day to connect to a BC crisis line, without a wait or busy signal. The crisis line operators have received advanced training in mental health issues and services by members of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information.

Mental Health & Substance Use supports

310-6478

No Area Code Needed. For Mental Health and Substance Use services within Interior Health call 310-MHSU (6478). You will be automatically routed to the closest Community MHSU centre where staff will take the call, determine where to direct the call, and connect you through to the appropriate service.

1-800-SUICIDE

(1-800-784-2433)

For help right away, any time of day or night. It’s a free call.

Suicide Crisis Helpline

Call: 9-8-8

or

Text: 9-8-8

For help right away, any time of day or night. It’s a free call.

Seniors’ Distress Line

1-604-872-1234

Free confidential support for seniors, their caregivers or anyone concerned about a senior. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Indigenous People

Adults & elders: 250 723 4050

Children & youth: 250 723 2040 

24 hour crisis line from the KUU-US Crisis Line Society.
www.kuu-uscrisisline.ca for more information

Kid’s Help Phone

1-800-668-6868 or text 686868

24 hours a day for children and youth aged 5 to 20  to speak to a professional counsellor. It’s free, confidential, anonymous and available across Canada. They can also refer you to local services and resources. Kid’s Help Phone is available in English and French.

Find help now if you are in a non-emergency

bc211 or call 211:

Dial or text 2-1-1 to be connected with a Resource Navigator who will provide information and referral to available social, government, and community supports and services that can help with:

  • basic needs like food and shelter,
  • mental health and addictions support,
  • legal and financial assistance,
  • supports for seniors, newcomers, and much more.

Or, search the 211 online resource database at bc.211.ca

Crisis Lines

Crisis lines aren’t only for people in crisis. You can call for information on local services or if you just need someone to talk to. See the numbers in the previous section.

BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions

Visit www.heretohelp.bc.ca for the Mental Disorder Toolkit, more fact sheets and personal stories about mental disorders. The Toolkit is full of information, including templates for creating your action plan and tips for avoiding crisis and emergencies.

Resources available in many languages

For each service below, if English is not your first language, say the name of your preferred language in English to be connected to an interpreter. More than 100 languages are available.

BounceBack

BounceBack a self-management course for people who experience low to moderate depression or anxiety. It’s offered in two different formats: you can complete the course online on your own or work with a coach who can help motivate you, solve problems, and work through the materials

HealthLink BC or call 811

HealthLink BC to access free, non-emergency health information for anyone in your family, including mental health information. Through 811, you can also speak to a registered nurse about symptoms you’re worried about, or a pharmacist about medication questions.

BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service

1-800-663-1441

To talk to someone about substance use. They can also connect you with local substance use resources. It’s available 24 hours a day.

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