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CMHA British Columbia

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Find Help Now

If you need help, support is here for you. Remember, you are not alone. 

For immediate support

  • Call 9-1-1 for help right away – Fire, Police, and/or Ambulance  or go to your local emergency medical centre
  • Suicide Crisis Helplines:Text or call 9-8-8 from anywhere in Canada or call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) in BC, both available 24/7. 
  • Mental Health Support Line: For immediate mental health support or referral, call 310-6789 (no area code) 24 hours a day. 
  • Mobile Crisis Response Teams in BC (PACT):
    • North and West Vancouver: Call 1-888-261-7228 or text 778-839-1831: 7 Days a Week, 8:00 am to 12:30 am
    • New Westminster: Call 778-727-3909: 7 Days a Week, 7:00 am – 11:30 pm
    • Victoria: Call or text 250-818-2454, Monday to Sunday 7:30am – 12:30am

Support is available when you or a loved one is having a mental health emergency or crisis. Some situations may include but are not limited to:  

  • Thinking about harming yourself or having thoughts of suicide
  • Experiencing sensations that aren’t real and/or beliefs that can’t possibly be true
  • Making choices that put you in danger or harm
  • Becoming unable to care for yourself
  • Experiencing alcohol or any other substance/drug use challenges 
  • Feeling severely isolated and disconnected
  • Taking a dangerous combination of substances (like benzodiazepines and alcohol)

Are you concerned about someone else?

If you think that someone else is experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1 or If the other person is willing, you can also take them to a local  emergency medical centre. 

If someone shares thoughts of self-harm or suicide and you don’t know how serious the situation is, call or text 9-8-8 from anywhere in Canada or call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) in BC. It’s better to ask for help — don’t wait, support is available. 

Mobile Crisis Response Teams: CMHA BC is leading and advocating for a mobile civilian response to mental health crisis calls known as PACT “Peer Assisted Care Teams.” The aim of a PACT is to provide an alternative to police and shift BC’s crisis care to a community-led, client-centered, trauma-informed response centered on the mental health and well-being of the affected individual, their family, and their community. Teams operate in local communities and consist of a trained peer with lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges and a mental health professional. Find a PACT in your community here.

If you just need someone to talk to, there is help available:

For everyone

BC Mental Health Support Line
Call 310-6789 (no area code). The BC Mental Health Support Line can help when you’re really upset or scared, but you can also call if you just need to talk with someone. They can also connect you to help in your community. It’s free, anonymous, confidential and available 24/7.

9-8-8 National Suicide Crisis Helpline/ Ligne d’aide en cas de crise de suicide
Call or text 9-8-8 to connect with someone on matters of emotional distress or thoughts of suicide. This phone line provides free access to 24/7 emotional, and crisis support in English or French.

BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line
Call 1-800-SUICIDE. It stands for 1-800-784-2433. This phone line provides confidential support for people who are in crisis, are really upset or scared, or have thoughts of suicide or self-harm. You can also call this number if you are concerned about someone else’s mental health.

BC Crisis Centre Chat
Visit crisiscentrechat.ca to chat online with a crisis responder. It’s available from noon to 1:00 am every day.

For Indigenous people

KUU-US Crisis Line

KUU-US Crisis Line operates a 24-hour provincial crisis and counselling line for First Nations Elders, adults, children and youth in need throughout BC.

  • ADULTS: 250-723-4050
  • YOUTH: 250-723-2040
  • TOLL FREE: 1-800-588-8717

Hope for Wellness Helpline

Hope for Wellness Helpline is available 24/7 to all Indigenous people across Canada. Call 1-855-242-3310.

Kids Help Phone
Indigenous people can connect with an Indigenous volunteer crisis responder, when available, by messaging FIRSTNATIONS, INUIT or METIS to 686868 for young people and 741741 for adults. You can also tap here to message online with a volunteer crisis responder.

Native Youth Crisis Hotline

The Native Youth Crisis Hotline is available 24/7 for youth, provided as part of a suite of crisis lines and support resources under the umbrella of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) throughout the province of British Columbia. 1-877-209-1266

Indian Residential School Crisis Line

The Indian Residential School Crisis Line is a national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call toll-free 1-866-925-4419.

Métis Crisis Line

The Métis Crisis Line is a service of Métis Nation British Columbia. Call 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722).

For young people

Kid’s Help Phone
Visit kidshelpphone.ca or call 1-800-668-6868. For kids and teens (ages 20 and under), professional counsellors are available to help, 24 hours a day. It’s free, confidential and anonymous.

Youth in BC
Visit youthinbc.com to chat online with a crisis responder. It’s available from noon to 1:00am every day.

For older adults

BC Seniors’ Distress Line
Call 604-872-1234 to talk with a crisis responder. It’s available 24/7. This is also available to anyone who is concerned about an older adult.

For people who use substances

BC Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service
Call 1-800-663-1441 (604-660-9382 in the Lower Mainland) for information about substance use treatments or supports in your area.

Updated November 30, 2023