We provide the following urgent and crisis services for children and youth experiencing serious emotional, behavioural or psychiatric difficulties.
Crisis Services
Vancouver Island Crisis Line call 1-888-494-3888
Anyone can call anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for risk management triage, support and referral. This contracted service maintains a database of support services available throughout Vancouver Island.
South Island Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team
Families and community members may access this team by calling the Vancouver Island Crisis line at 1-888-494-3888.
IMCRT is a collaboration between CYFMHS, Adult Mental Health and Addiction Services and Greater Victoria police forces. Mental health clinicians work alongside social workers, nurse and plain clothes police officers to provide a rapid, mobile and community-based response to children youth and families in crisis. Read more about IMCRT.
South Island Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI)
Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) services focus on early recognition and intervention for children, youth and young adults who appear to be experiencing a decline in function related to possible early psychosis. Treatment is most effective when it is started early. Anyone in the community may refer to this program. Read more about Early Psychosis Intervention.
South Island Urgent Psychiatric Consult (UPC)
Crisis nurses, physicians and mental health clinicians may refer to this specialized service for children and youth up to and including age 16 who would benefit from a one-time psychiatric evaluation.
Central Island Access Services at Brooks Landing
Access Services provides crisis response and emergency services, crisis counselling and connects to appropriate Mental Health and Addiction Services programs, hospital and/or community treatment and recovery services for all age groups. Read more about Central Island Access/Crisis Services.
Child, Youth and Family Mental Health
Child, Youth and Family Mental Health Services offers a range of services including short-term crisis intervention, multidisciplinary assessment and treatment and inpatient assessment and treatment planning. Our services are client centred, trauma-informed, least restrictive and collaborative.
Our services include: crisis services, inpatient services at Ledger House and outpatient programs.
Referrals
Physicians and mental health clinicians can make referrals to the above services.
There are some services that accept from anyone in the community, including family members and the child or youth themselves. Find out more about the referral process.
If you are in immediate crisis
Call 9-1-1 and let the operator know it is a mental health problem.
Go to a hospital emergency room:
Find more hospitals and health centres listed on our care locations page.
The Suicide Helpline can be reached at 1-800-784-2433.
It's ok to ask for help. Mental health disorders are the result of a complex set of factors. Child Youth and Family Mental Health treatment is not about determining who has done something wrong. Our services will help you figure out what the underlying issues are for your child and how to address those issues.
Calling your family doctor is a good first step because the family doctor can rule out physical problems that may be contributing to your child’s overall health.
If you don’t have a family doctor, ask your child’s teacher, school counselor, youth and family counselor or local community health clinic staff for information. Another option is to contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development Child and Youth Mental Health Services office in your community.
