Mental Health & Substance Use Resources

On April 26, the Province announced steps to ensure employee and patient safety with regards to illicit drug use illegal in all public spaces, including inside hospitals. As such, Island Health will be enhancing education and awareness to better support staff in unsafe situations, consistently prohibiting drug possession, use, and purchasing in hospitals across B.C., and improving treatment and recovery support for patients with substance or opioid-use disorders.


Crisis Lines

If you are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, please contact one of the crisis lines below:

Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888

Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 9-8-8

  • A safe space to talk or text, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717

  • Resource for Indigenous people on Vancouver Island and across the province. Support is available 24-hours a day, every day of the year. 
  • Adult Crisis Line: 250-723-4050      
  • Youth Crisis Line: 250-723-2040

Information and Support

Use of Unregulated Substances 

Children and Youth

News & Events

Canadian Men’s Health Month: exploring perinatal depression in men

Canadian Men’s Health Month: exploring perinatal depression in men

June marks Canadian Men’s Health Month – an excellent opportunity to consider the important but oft-neglected topic of perinatal depression in men.

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Crisis response team and community café win 2024 mental health and substance use awards

Crisis response team and community café win 2024 mental health and substance use awards

In conjunction with Mental Health Week (May 6-12), Island Health is recognizing two groups for their efforts to help people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.

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“The most important call I’ve made in my life”: Service Link phone line makes an impact in first year

“The most important call I’ve made in my life”: Service Link phone line makes an impact in first year

“The most important call I’ve made in my life,” is exactly the feedback Island Health’s Mental Health and Substance Use program was hoping to hear following the launch of the Service Link phone line one year ago. 

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