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Self-Care Tips and BC Community Resources

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Selfcare Tips


Canadian Red Cross Friendly Calls Program
The Friendly Calls program matches people over the age of 18 with trained Red Cross personnel who connect with them regularly to check-in, provide emotional support, encourage healthy coping strategies, and suggest well-being resources and community connections to other existing services.

Friendly Calls is safe, accessible, free, and available nationwide. Call 1-833-979-9779 toll-free from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, or click here to sign up.

Want to learn more? Click here to explore our Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Opioid Harm Reduction (OHR) at the Canadian Red Cross:
Visit us for FREE education on how to respond and help in the event of an opioid poisoning (overdose), and information on how to received a FREE nasal naloxone kit. We are committed to help Canadians access to OHR education, and increasing access to naloxone– a life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the life-threatening effects of opioid poisoning.


Community Links and Resources 

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.


Medical information

Health Link BC 24/7

  • Call 8-1-1 to connect with a health professional
  • Call 7-1-1 for Deaf/Hard of hearing 

Mental Health Supports

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE).

Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789
Seniors Distress Line: 604-872-1234
Online Chat Service for Youth: www.YouthInBC.com (Noon to 1am)
Online Chat Service for Adults: www.CrisisCentreChat.ca (Noon to 1am)
 

First Nations Health Authority

KUU-US Crisis Services 24/7 to support Indigenous people in BC
Adult/Elder: 1-250-723-4050
Child/Youth: 1-250-723-2040
Metis Crisis Line: 1-833-638-4722
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line 24/7: 1-866-925-4419

LGBTQA+ Resources
Trans lifeline: 1-877-330-6366
Trevor Project (suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ Youth)
LGBT Youth line: 1-800-268-9688

Kids Help Phone

24/7 national support service offering professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to youth.

Foundry BC

Free health and wellness resources, services and supports, including counselling and mental health support services – in person or online for young people aged 12-24, and their caregivers.

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness

Help-line and on-line counselling service offers mental health counselling and crisis intervention to Indigenous people across Canada. Toll-free 1-855-242-3310

BC Bereavement Helpline
A free and confidential service that connects the public to grief support services within the province of BC.
1-877-779-2223 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
www.bcbh.ca

Substance use
Provincial Alcohol and Drug Information Referral Service provides free referral services to support with any kind of substance use issue (alcohol or other drugs).
Toll-free: 1-800-663-1441

Take Home Naloxone program (British Columbia)
Aim to reduce the harm and deaths associated with opioid overdoses. The program provides training in overdose prevention, recognition, and first aid response.
 

Community Assistance Supports

BC 211
Life isn't always easy, but finding help can be. 211 connects you to programs and services in your community.
  • Free | Confidential | 24/7 | 150+ languages Dial | Text | Chat
  • Call or text 211
  • Visit https://bc.211.ca/ 

Supports for Seniors

Seniors Advocate

For help finding seniors programs and services Monday to Friday from 8:30-4:30 (except statutory holidays).

Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) 1-866-437-1940 or 604-437-1940
 
Financial assistance  

Child Protection

  • Child Protection - Ministry of Children and Family Development. To make an anonymous report or request support services, call 1 800 663 9122 any time of day or night.
 

Domestic Violence

  • VictimLinkBC staff can connect you to a network of community, social, health, justice and government resources, including victim services, transition houses and counselling resources. VictimLinkBC provides service in up to 150 languages, including many North American Aboriginal languages.