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
- Emotional support or assistance 24-hours a day, every day of the year.
- Crisis Chat
- Crisis Text: 250-800-3806
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
- Call Island Health’s Service Link at 1-888-885-8824
- Explore Island Health’s Mental Health and Substance Use Services
- Find health information on the HealthLink BC website or dial 8-1-1
- Find services through BC Mental Health and Substance Use
- Explore topics at HelpStartsHere.gov.bc.ca
- Find a Registered Clinical Counsellor: BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
- Find local programs: Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division
Use of Unregulated Substances
- New actions announced to keep people safe in hospitals and public spaces
- Decriminalization in BC: Health Canada and Province of BC
- Island Health Harm Reduction Services for People Who Use Substances
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction