Metro Vancouver Crisis and Help Lines:
Non-emergency police services | Tel: 604 717 3321 |
BC Drug and Poison Information Centre | Tel: 604 682 5050 / 1 800 567 8911 Website |
HealthLink BC: Non-emergency medical questions | Tel: 811 Website |
Vancouver Coastal Health: Emergency Mental Health Services – Car 87/Car 88 Service: Daily from 07:30-15:00 At: 520 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC |
Tel: 604 874 7307 Website |
Fraser Health: Emergency Mental Health Services | Tel: 1 877 384 8062 (toll free) |
Crisis Centre BC: Programmes 24/7 for all ages with concerns such as mental health, suicide, self-harm, violence, abuse. Calls are anonymous and confidential. Also offers community education and professional development courses | Vancouver Tel: 604 872 3311 Howe Sound and Sunshine Coast Tel: 1 866 661 3311 (toll-free) TTY/TDD: 1 866 872 0113 BC-wide Tel: 1 800 SUICIDE (784 2433) Website |
Youth In BC: Online anonymous and confidential youth service | Website |
Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter (women and children | Tel: 604 872 8212 TTY/TDD: 604 877 0958 Website |
Salal: Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre | Tel: 604 255 6344 / 1 877 392 7583 (24/7) Website |
Kids Help Phone: Support by telephone, online or email, for problems, questions, or concerns about health, sexuality, bullying, suicide, and problems with parents, school, emotions. From age five to teenagers | Tel: 1 800 668 6868 Website |
The Lower Mainland is divided into Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health. Each operates emergency health services.
Vancouver Coastal Health: Provides intervention to people with mental health emergencies. Answers calls from police, health care professionals, clients, family members and the general public. Services include mobile outreach assessments, accompaniment to local emergency departments and referrals to mental health teams, health care professionals or other agencies. Also offers evening and weekend intervention and support to mental health team clients. No fees, and no referrals needed to use the service.
- Mental Health Emergency Services – Car 87/Car 88 Service
- At: 520 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
- Tel: 604 874 7307
Fraser Health – Emergency Mental Health Services: 24-hour emotional support for people suffering a mental health crisis, and referrals to community resources. Staffed by registered nurses, psychiatric nurses, social workers and counsellors.
- Tel: 1 877 384 8062 (toll-free)
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA): Prevention, education, and information services, rehabilitation and community support to those recovering from mental illness. Recreation and employment programmes, peer support, and programmes for youth.
- CMHA – Vancouver-Burnaby Branch
- At: 175 West Broadway Vancouver, BC
- Tel: 604 872 4902
email - For information from the CMHA, and programmes for mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder: Click here
Crisis Centre BC: Programmes for all ages with concerns such as mental health, suicide, self-harm, violence, abuse. Telephone lines are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls are anonymous and confidential. Also offers community education and professional development courses.
Tel: 1 800 SUICIDE (784 2433)
For other distress contact numbers: Click here
For list of related help-lines from the Crisis Centre: Click here
The Kaleidoscope: Provides a safe, stigma-free environment for individuals living with mental illness in and around the UBC community. A place for people to participate in a growing support network where they are able to share their stories with others going through similar experiences, in confidence, without fear of discrimination.
Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia: Education, resources and support group for those with mood disorders and their friends and family.
- Mood Disorders Association of BC
At: 200 – 460 Nanaimo Street, Vancouver, BC, V5L 4W3
Tel: 604 873 0103
email
Vancouver Coastal Health: The Vancouver Coastal Health website lists a wide range of of support programmes, hospital and medical services, education and information, community and peer groups, for both mental health concerns and neurological disorders, including chronic illnesses (for example arthritis, dementia, diabetes, sleep disorders, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease).
- To find programmes or support: Click here, and then search in the drop down menu “By Health Topics”
British Columbia Schizophrenia Society: Provides information, live online chat and forums; a list of services and support groups for individuals and families, information on how to support someone with mental illness, and support and advice for caregivers.
- British Columbia Schizophrenia Society Provincial Office
At: 201 – 6011 Westminster Hwy., Richmond, BC
Tel: 604 270 7841
email
The Vancouver Adult ADD Support Group provides information, meetings and peer support for adults affected by attention deficit disorder.
- Vancouver Adult ADD Support Group
Tel: 604 263 6997
email
CHADD Vancouver, a chapter of CHADD Canada, is a support group and information resource for families affected by attention deficit disorder.
- CHADD Vancouver
Tel: 604 222 4043
email
St. Paul’s Hospital At: 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC |
Tel: 604 682 2344 Website |
Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) (Jim Pattison Pavilion – Emergency Department) At: 920 West 10th Avenue, BC, Vancouver |
Tel: 604 875 4111 Information |
BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre At: 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC |
Tel: 604 875 2424 Website |
BC Children’s Hospital At: 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC |
Tel: 604 875 2000 Website |
- To search for hospitals and emergency departments in Metro Vancouver: Click here
Safeway, Costco, London Drugs, and Shoppers Drug Mart are well-known international chain stores that offer pharmacies on-site.
24-hour pharmacies in Vancouver:
- Shoppers Drug Mart
At: 2302 W. 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604 738 3138
- Shoppers Drug Mart
At: 885 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604 708 1135
- Shoppers Drug Mart
At: 1125 Davie St., Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604 669 2424
- For a map with addresses, phone numbers and websites for all pharmacies in Metro Vancouver, including independent pharmacies: Click here
There are a number of organisations that run support programmes for mental health, addictions, physical disabilities, and immigrant settlement. Most of them offer information, educational resources, counselling by trained professionals and peers, and links to additional community services and support. This page lists information in three ways:
- Organisations with a single focus (such as Alcoholics Anonymous).
- Organisations that offer a range of programmes (such as the Canadian Mental Health Association).
- Organisations that provide information and links to additional programmes (such as the Disability Resource Network of BC).
If a specific programme is not listed here, look under the more general organizations that list links to individual programmes.
Support is available for:
For a wide-ranging list of alcohol and drug rehabilitation programmes, including support groups, medical services, de-tox, and residential programmes, see:
- Canada Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs (Fraser Region)
- Canada Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs (Vancouver Coastal)
- Alcoholics Anonymous of Greater Vancouver
24-hour support line Tel: 604 434 3933
To find a meeting by day or location: Click here - Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group: Support for friends and family affected by someone else’s drinking
For a list of meetings, Tel: 1-888-4AL-ANON (1 888 425 2666), Monday to Friday, from 08:00-18:00
Website - Al-Anon Vancouver Central Services Office
At: 101-3680 East Hastings St., Vancouver, BC, V5K 2A9
Tel: 604 688 1716
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Vancouver Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous
Tel: 604 873 1018 - Lower Mainland NA
Tel: 866 683 6819 - Cocaine Anonymous (CA)
24-hour helpline Tel: 604 662 8500 / 866 662 8300 (toll free)
The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse: Academic and practical information on substance abuse and government policy.
From Grief to Action: Education, support groups, resources, information and support for parents and families of children who are or may be using drugs. Includes links and descriptions of community resources and support groups.
- For a list of services and support groups: Click here
How to Help a Drug Addict: Overview of substance abuse treatment from identification to recovery.
National Anti-Drug Strategy: Government information on risks, assessment, and recovery. Features guides for parents and details of government initiatives.
- Gamblers Anonymous
Vancouver Hotline Tel: 1 855 222 5542
To search for meetings: Click here - Gam-Anon: Provides support for family and close friends of compulsive gamblers
To find a meeting in British Columbia: Click here - British Columbia Partnership for Responsible Gambling
- Gambling Help Line: A province-wide information and referral service for anyone who is worried about their own, or another’s gambling habits. Free counselling by phone and in person. Anonymous and confidential
Tel: 1 888 795 6111 (24/7)
Deaf and hard of hearing callers call collect Tel: 604 875 0885
The BC Cancer Agency operates regional cancer centres with links to local hospitals. They offer a number of services including patient and family counselling and a cancer information library:
- BC Cancer Agency – Vancouver
At: 675 10th Avenue West, Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604 877 6000
Canadian AIDS Society: Charity with over 120 community-based organisations throughout the country. Their website includes links to other organisations, information, and resources.
AIDS Vancouver: Provides a range of services for those living with HIV/AIDS, including case management, peer support programmes, a grocery delivery programme, resource centre, and prevention and education programmes.
- Ribbon Community
At: 1107 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5S8
Tel: 604 893 2201email
BC Persons With AIDS Society (affiliated with AIDS Vancouver) provides counselling support groups for individuals and families.
Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation: Runs a day programme and a 24-hour nursing care residence. Offers assessment, counselling, assistance with recreational outings, art and music therapy, short-term stabilisation and long-term care.
Gang Prevention: Support workers, resources, videos, events, links to community services and counselling.
- Gang Prevention
Tel: 1 800 680-4264
Youth in BC (Part of Crisis Centre BC): Online service for youth. In addition to helplines, YouthInBC offers online opportunities to chat live, one-on-one with a crisis volunteer, receive email support from professional staff, quickly locate accurate information on different issues, and connect to referral services in their own community. Calls and online contact are anonymous and confidential.
- Youth in BC
Tel: 604 872 3311 / 1 866 661 3311 (toll Free) - For additional contact numbers: Click here
CARE Program (Comprehensive Abortion and Reproductive Education): Part of BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, supporting women’s emotional, social, and physical needs. Confidential care offering options for birth control and pregnancy choices.
- CARE Program
Tel: 604 875 3163, from 07:30-16:00
Salal (Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre); One-to-one counselling for women who have experienced sexual assault or other forms of violence, for example, violence in relationships, childhood abuse or mental and emotional abuse.
- Salal
Tel: 604 255 6344
Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter (women and children): Offers safe temporary shelter, information and a free legal clinic. Staff can accompany women to hospital, to the police, through court proceedings, appointments with lawyers and social workers as well as provide emotional support and advocacy.
- Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter
Tel: 604 872 8212
TDD: 604 877 0958
Pacific Post Partum Support Society: Telephone support, weekly support meetings, books and guides for women who are suffering from depression following the birth of a child.
- Pacific Post Partum Support Society
At: 200-7342 Winston Street, Burnaby, BC, V5A 2H1
Tel: 604 255 7999
Sexualityandu: Provides links, information and resources provided by medical doctors, researchers, nurses, midwives and other health care providers, for teens, adults, teachers and healthcare professionals. It also includes articles, online videos and links for support organisations.
The Child and Family Services of Greater Vancouver provides services to victims of trauma and sexual abuse and to their non-offending family members. Support is available for sexually abused children, their families, and adult survivors of childhood sexual trauma.
- Vancouver Incest and Sexual Abuse Centre (VISAC)
At: 202-1193 Kingsway, Vancouver
Tel: 604 874 2938 - Trauma and Sexual Abuse Program – Richmond (TASA)
At: 250 – 7000 Minoru Blvd, Richmond
Tel: 604 279 7100
Vancouver Police Department Victim Services: Information and support for victims of crime. Services range from assistance at the time of the crime, to support in court, information about the court processes, to follow-up assistance for counselling and links to community programs.
- Vancouver Police Department
At: 2120 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4N6
Tel: 604 717 2737
email
There are a number of support groups and programmes available for anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or other problem behaviours centred around food and health.
- For a list of treatments in BC for eating disorders, including doctors, counsellors, and treatment centres: Click here
Vancouver Anti-Anorexia/Anti-Bulimia League: 24 hour helpline for people with eating disorders.
- Vancouver Anti-Anorexia/Anti-Bulimia League
At: 303-1212 West Broadway, Vancouver BC
Tel: 604 731 7304
Be Real Eating Disorders Clinic (Vancouver Coastal Health): For children and teenagers from 11 to 19 years of age, the clinic offers access to medical support, dietician consultation and counselling for youth suffering from eating disorders. (North and West Vancouver only).
- West Vancouver Community Health Centre
At: 2121 Marine Drive West Vancouver
Tel: 604 983 6847
email
BC Children’s Hospital Eating Disorders Program: Provincial programme for children and adolescents with eating disorders.
- Information from BC Children’s Hospital: Click here
BC Bereavement Helpline: Information on bereavement support groups, agencies, and peer-based support, connections to local support groups, articles and publications on grief, grieving, and recovery. Some publications offered in languages other than English.
- BC Bereavement helpline
Tel: 604 738 9950, Monday to Friday from 09:30-15:00
BC Children’s Hospital program: List of resources (books, videos) available from their library, pamphlets, suggested activities for children, teens, adults to help deal with grief, links to other support groups and counselling.
- Information from BC Children’s Hospital: Click here
The Compassionate Friends of Canada: Self-help organisation for parents who have experienced the death of a child.
- TCF Canada – Vancouver Branch
Tel: 604 293 1790
email - For other locations in Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland: Click here
Disability Resource Network: Resource to quickly locate basic information as well as links for more detailed information, including web links to relevant community support organisations. The Network lists a wide range of disabilities – physical, developmental, learning, neurological, and psychiatric.
- For specific information: Click here and choose from the drop down menu “Info by Disability”
Immigrant Services Society of BC: Relocation advice, settlement information, newcomer’s guides on housing, healthcare, public school system and employment.
- Immigrant Services Society of BC Head Office
At: 501 – 333 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6A 2L7
Tel: 604 684 2561
Fax: 604 684 2266
email - Vancouver – Welcome House and Settlement Services
At: 530 Drake Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2H3
Tel: 604 684 7498
Fax: 604 684 5683
email
Pacific Immigrant Resources Society: Programmes and information for immigrant women and their pre-school children.
- Pacific Immigrant Resources Society
At: 210-3680 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V5K 2A9
Tel: 604 298 5888
Fax: 604 298 7115
email
MOSAIC: Multilingual services for men and women, children and youth. Language skills, education and work workshops, justice and settlement information, refugee support.
- MOSAIC
At: 1720 Grant St., 2nd floor, Vancouver, BC, V5L 2Y7
Tel: 604 254 9626
What to expect from the system if you are planning a family or find yourself pregnant in Canada…
The Canadian College of Family Physicians recommends that women see their family doctor before getting pregnant to discuss diet, habits and to undergo a physical check-up. It is advisable that a woman sees her family doctor as soon as she finds out she is pregnant so diet, family history, health and allergies can be discussed early on in the pregnancy.
- For general information provided by the Federal Government about maintaining a healthy pregnancy, nutrition and other information: Having a baby
- The Public Health Agency of Canada have produced a Sensible Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy which can be downloaded online
- Prenatal Care
- Birth & Postnatal Care
- Health Record
- Registration of Birth
- Maternity Rights
- Termination & Abortion
Great links:
https://www.angloinfo.com/vancouver/directory