Mental Health & Distress Referral Resource
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SCI BC staff provide information and peer support to individuals with higher risk factors for distress and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, and who encounter physical, emotional and psychosocial struggles adjusting and living with spinal cord injury or disease. It’s important that we understand how to respond to support the wellbeing of the individuals in our community in the event of a mental health emergency. This is a quick referral guide to services in the Province of BC and in your community who can offer skilled support to you or someone you know in acute distress.
If a person you are concerned about is in immediate danger of hurting themselves, call 911.
You must break confidentiality and seek help if you have reason to believe a person is a serious danger to themselves or others. To determine imminent danger, ask:
- Are you thinking of suicide?
- What is your plan? Do you have a plan?
- How and when will you carry it out?
…Then call 911 with the person or on your own.
Non-emergency situations: Contact SCI BC’s Infoline for information & support: 1-800-689-2477 9-5, M-F or consult mental health services in your community
Helpful Resources
- HereToHelp: Excellent page for learning about mental health, mental illness, local resources, and self help assessments and guides.
- Lower Cost Counselling Services in BC: Free/sliding scale, most have waitlists
- Canadian Mental Health Association: Has branches in many BC communities and provides a range of information and programming.
- Self Management BC: In-person and online programs to help people with chronic diseases and disabilities better manage their mental health and wellness. Free, offered across BC.
Care For Yourself
It is essential that you care for yourself too. Talking out an intense situation involving mental health or suicide risk can keep you healthy and ready to help the next person. Contact a coworker, supervisor or InfoLine after these types of interactions and periodically in general to maintain wellness. 1-800-689-2477
(M-F, 9am-5pm)
- Employee Family Assistance Program: SCI BC staff who are eligible for benefits can contact our EFAP service provider for free short-term confidential counselling.
Province-Wide Crisis Lines (for help by phone or chat anywhere in BC)
- Provincial Suicide Hotline: 1 800 784-2433. Open 24/7 if you or someone you know is considering suicide.
- National Suicide Crisis HelpLine: 988
- 310Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (no area code) Open 24/7 for non-emergency emotional support and advice.
- Online Chat Support for Youth: Open Noon to 1am.
- Online Chat Support for Adults: Noon to 1am.
Mental Health Services by Health Authority (referral: formal request for service by a clinician)
Fraser Health
Provides diagnostic assessment, short-term treatment and other support. No referral needed for initial assessment. Call the mental health centre in the person’s community. Click here for a full list of mental health centres.
- Surrey: 604 953-4900
- Chilliwack: 604 702-4860
- North Delta: 604 592-3700
- Tsawwassen & Ladner: 604 948-7010
- New Westminster: 604 777-6800
- Tri-Cities: 604 777-8400
Interior Health (IH)
Intake, short term and crisis services do not require a referral. Click here for a full list of mental health centres.
- Kelowna: 250 469-7070
- Vernon: 250 549-5737
- Kamloops: 250-377-6500
Northern Health (NH)
Outpatient entry point to mental health services. Brief assessments, short term supportive counselling and crisis intervention. No referral required. Click here for a list of mental health services by community.Â
- Prince George: 250 565-2668
- Quesnel: 250 983-6828
- Fort St. John: 250 263-6080
- Terrace: 250 631-4202
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)
Intake and short term counselling services, no referral required for initial call. Click here for a list of mental health services by community.
- Vancouver: 604 675-3700
- Richmond: 604 244-5562
- North Vancouver: 604 983-6020
Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA)
Provides screening, assessment, treatment recommendations and referrals to other services. No referral needed for initial call. Click here for a full list of mental health services.
- Victoria: 250 519-3485
- Nanaimo and area: 250 739-5710