Mental health services for youth and adults in the Interior

Every child responds differently to tragedy. Children may react in many ways to what they see or hear, and they look to trusted adults for reassurance.

These communication tips may help relieve the fears and worries of your children and young loved ones.

• Limit exposure to news stories on traditional and social media channels
• Acknowledge your own feelings to give children a model for how to express and process their strong emotions
• Listen to your child’s concerns before offering any explanations. Let them share their fears and ask age-appropriate, open-ended questions
• Tell the truth gently using age-appropriate language and facts that match your child’s stage of development
• Maintain daily routines to help children and adults feel safe and secure
• Watch for physical signs of trauma such as headaches, stomach aches or backaches, loss of sleep, anxiety or sleep disturbances

Supporting people through the Tumbler Ridge tragedy - Province of British Columbia

If you or a young person you know is struggling with mental health or feeling like something is just not right, help can be found in your region.

If you’re a parent or caregiver worried about your child’s behaviour, you can also contact these service providers.

These resources can also help:

• Children and youth can access free and voluntary community-based mental health supports and services in B.C. Find a Child and Youth Mental Health Intake Clinic near you
• Foundry BC offers mental health and wellness supports for young people ages 12-24, both online and in-person
• Kids Help Phone (call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868) offers free, confidential support and online resources 24/7 for young people
• First Nations Health Authority provides culturally safe and trauma informed mental health and wellness supports
• Kelty Mental Health contains information on mental health diagnosis, treatment and support
• Interior Health's Child & Youth Health page contains general health information for children and youth

If you or someone else is in crisis, these resources are available 24/7:

• Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
• Interior Crisis Line Network - 1-888-353-2273 or 1-800-784-2433
  Crisis Response Teams can provide immediate support.
• Suicide Crisis Helpline - Call or text 988
• KUU-US (Indigenous) Crisis Line - 1-800-588-8717
• Métis Crisis Line - 1-833-638-4722

Call 911 for urgent, immediate help.

Call 310-MHSU (6478) toll-free from anywhere in the IH region to be connected to our Mental Health and Substance Use services team. You’ll chat with an empathetic person who will ask you a few questions to get you started. You can also visit one of our MHSU offices.

You can also work with your primary health-care provider. This could be your family doctor or nurse practitioner. Or visit your local Health Centre or urgent and primary care centre (UPCC). We like to say “any door is the right door”—and you’re always welcome.

Explore our range of services for adults and youth:

• Adult Mental Health Services
• Youth Mental Health Services
• Adult Substance Use Services
• Youth Substance Use Services

To find out what services are available in your community, use Search Locations.

We are committed to creating care that is culturally safe, free from racism, and grounded in humility, where all people, including Indigenous patients, families, and communities, feel respected and supported in their healing journeys.

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