Where to get care: Mental Health and Substance Use services

Our mental health services mainly serve people with moderate to severe mental health or substance use challenges.

If, for example, you’re stressed at work, but are still functioning relatively well, we recommend you reach out to your employer assistance plan, a private counsellor, doctor or nurse practitioner, or other resources available to you. There are many free or low-cost options in B.C.

Our services start with prevention and early intervention. If you require more urgent or specialized care, we offer services in our facilities, with community partners and even in your own home. These services include:

• Counselling and treatment
• Support and recovery
• Speciality services such as for seniors or those with developmental disabilities
• Crisis and hospital services
• Community-based services
• Hospital-based and facility-based services
• Psychiatric services
• Street outreach
• Harm reduction, safer use and overdose prevention

You can view the full spectrum of IH services by following these links. We recommend viewing these on a laptop or desktop computer.

View all mental health services

View all substance use services

Anyone can call our Mental Health and Substance Use services free access line 310-MHSU (6478) during regular business hours. You don’t need a doctor’s referral.

When you call, you’re automatically connected with an IH staff member who works in the health centre for your community. There’s no need to figure out which office in the Interior region to call.

They will ask you a few screening questions with your permission to understand you better. Once we understand this, we can connect you with someone who will provide a more detailed assessment to connect you with the right team, program or resources.

You can also contact your local MHSU centre directly.

To learn more check out our video:

When accessing mental health and substance use supports, “any door is the right door.” If you need help, you may find it through your doctor, urgent primary care centre, hospital or a community partner. Our goal is to connect you to the right people and resources, and to meet you where you are at.

If available in your community, a great place to start is Access Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) centres. These provide a safe space where you can be connected to the services you need. You can visit your local MHSU centre in your community or ask your family doctor or nurse practitioner for a referral.

If you’re in an emergency, for example having difficulty breathing, chest pains or severe bleeding, or if you are concerned for your own or someone else’s immediate safety or well-being, call 911.

If you’re experiencing feelings of hopelessness and thoughts of self-harm, you can call one of these numbers. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays:

• Interior Health Crisis Line: 1-888-353-CARE (2273)
• Suicide Crisis Line: 988
• KUU-US 24/7 Indigenous Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
  • Or: 250-723-4050 (adults)
  • Or: 250-723-2040: (youth)
• Métis Crisis Line: 1-833-638-4722

We continue to invest in mental health and substance use services across the Interior region. Stay up to date on new programs, initiatives and facilities by reading our blog, Stories@IH, and our news releases.

This is the second story in our three-part series on Where to Get Care. Other stories in this series:

Where to get care: Emergencies and urgent medical needs

Where to get care: Getting extra help at home

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