Safety Equipment in the Home

Emergency Kits

Make an emergency plan

Learn and take First-Aid training

Online: HealthLinkBC.ca

If urgent medical situation, call 9-1-1. Call 8-1-1.

If cannot hear/do not hear well, call 7-1-1.

Smartphone App-Find walk-in clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, immunization locations, pharmacies, laboratory services, and Urgent and Primary Care Centres near you. Visit HealthLinkBC.ca/app

(British Columbia Newcomers’ Guide to Resources and Services, 2021, P.59)

Division of Family Practice in community. divisionsbc.ca/divisions-in-bc

Directory for nurse practitioners in community. registry.bccnp.ca

Immigrant settlement agency Permanent residents, including refugees

cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp

Temporary residents, including refugee claimants, temporary foreign workers, and post-secondary international students welcomebc.ca/temporaryresidents

Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 for support finding a family doctor, a nurse practitioner, and health services in community.

Friends, neighbors, colleagues, or other people in community. Ask if their care provider is accepting new patients.

Eg. Specialists who focus on skin conditions, loss of hearing, heart disease, cancer, pregnancy, and treating young children or older adults.

Making an appointment

Phone the office for an appointment. Take BC Services Card when go to a doctor.

If miss appointment, may have to pay a fee which is not covered by MSP.

Walk-in clinic or an Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC).

- Medical problem, but not an emergency.

Call Healthlink BC at 8-1-1 to find a walk-in clinic or UPCC nearby. HealthLinkBC.ca/services-and-resources/upcc

Medical emergencies/ Hospitals and emergency departments/ Calling an ambulance 9-1-1

If have MSP coverage, do not have to pay for hospital costs.

MSP does not cover the full cost of ambulance. Pay some of the cost after get a bill later. If low income, get assistance. bcehs.ca – Search for “Ambulance fees”.

Search online for a pharmacy. Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or HealthLink BC website or the BC Health Services Locator.

Some medicines can buy only with a prescription. Some medicines without a prescription/over-the-counter (OTC) drugs-less serious problems, such as a headache, a cold, or allergies. Question about OTC, ask the pharmacist.

Fair PharmaCare is for all residents of British Columbia who are enrolled in MSP. People with a lower family income get more help with their prescription costs.

To find a dentist, ask friends or settlement workers.

BC Dental Association website. yourdentalhealth.ca/visitingyour-dentist/find-a-dentist

MSP will not pay for dental services in a dentist’s office. If need dental surgery, you will be sent to a hospital and MSP will cover the cost. Dental benefits for employees if have employer dental coverage, it may pay part of your cost

for treatment in a dentist’s office. Some public health units have dental clinics. They give free dental checkups and cleanings to young children. They may also have low cost dental care for older children and adults

Optometrists work in their own office, or in a glasses store. MSP covers part of the cost of full eye exams.

If it costs more than MSP will cover, will need to pay the rest. MSP pays for 1 routine eye exam by an optometrist every 2 years for

• children and youth 18 years and younger

• adults 65 years and older

MSP will also pay for eye exams if you have a medical need – for example, if an object gets in eye, or if have an eye disease. Some employers have benefit plans for employees.

It helps low-income families pay for basic dental care, prescription eyeglasses, hearing instruments.

Children age ＜19

To use the Healthy Kids Program, your family must be eligible for MSP Supplementary Benefits.

Ask your eye doctor, dentist, audiologist or hearing instrument provider for more information on what is covered.

For more information, visit gov.bc.ca and search for “healthy kids program” or call toll-free: 1 866 866-0800.

Low income resident (who lived in Canada for the last 12 months as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident) may be eligible for Supplementary Benefits. MSP Supplementary Benefits will pay part of some medical services: acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy, non-surgical podiatry.

To apply, fill out an application form and send it to Health Insurance BC.

gov.bc.ca/MSP/supplementary benefits

Vaccines for the flu. Every fall, before flu season begins, get a vaccination from clinics/ family doctor /local pharmacist  to prevent the flu. Washing hands regularly, staying home if sick, eating healthy, being physically active.

For information about influenza vaccines and where to get one, visit the ImmunizeBC website. immunizebc.ca/clinics/flu

For more information about influenza, visit Healthlink BC.HealthLinkBC.ca/health-feature/flu-season

COVID-19’s symptoms are similar to flu, including cough, fever, and difficulty breathing, stomach problems. In British Columbia, the Provincial Health Officer develops rules that everyone must follow to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

If you think you have COVID-19

If feeling sick –should stay at home and stay away from others. Anyone who develops cold, influenza, or COVID-19-like symptoms should call their health-care provider or 8-1-1, seek testing, and then self-isolate. Access the B.C. self-assessment tool to check whether you may need further assessment or testing for COVID-19.bc.thrive.health/covid19/en

For information about COVID-19, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control.

bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19

B.C. also has provincial information on COVID-19 resources and support. gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergencypreparedness-responserecovery/covid-19-provincial-support

HealthLink BC

HealthLink BC provides free, nonemergencyhealth information and advice in B.C. 24/7 by telephone, website, a mobile app, and printable information. All of HealthLink BC’s services are free.

Patients as Partners

Patients as Partners provides tools, education, and other resources. Information about personal and family-centered care, managing chronic (long-term) disease, patient and public engagement, and a calendar of events. patientsaspartners.ca

Supports for children and youth Child and Teen Mental Health in B.C.

Resources and information on mental health services for your child or teenager.

gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managingyour-health/mental-health-substance-use/find-services-nearyou/youth-mentalhealth-services

The Kids Help Phone is for children experiencing abuse or mental health problems. Children and youth can call this phone number anytime to get help and information. The service can also refer callers to places that can help them, such as clinics and community centres. Toll-free: 1 800 668-6868

kidshelpphone.ca HealthLinkBC.ca – Search for “Kids helpphone”

ERASE Bullying Prevention Strategy

The ERASE Bullying Prevention Strategy educates students about bullying. It helps students report bullies. ERASE also includes resources on mental health, substance use, school safety, and sexual orientation / gender identity.

gov.bc.ca/gov/content/erase

Hospice palliative care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual resources for people who have illnesses that do not go away and often get worse over time and for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer or heart failure. Hospice palliative care also helps family members manage the practical details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one.

The goal is to keep you comfortable and improve your quality of life.

Hospice palliative care programs offer services in your own home or in a hospice palliative care centre. Some hospice palliative care programs also offer services in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, or hospitals.

Some people think that starting hospice palliative care is a last resort, that it means they're giving up on life. Some think that hospice palliative care means a lower level of medical care. But hospice palliative care is simply a type of care that focuses on the quality of your life instead of on continuing with treatment to prolong your life.

Hospice palliative care can show you your options. And knowing your options gives you back some control. It allows you to make decisions about things that are important to you.

Basic medical care with a focus on pain and symptom control.

Medical supplies and equipment as needed.

Counselling and social support to help you and your family with psychological, emotional, and spiritual issues.

Guidance with the difficult, but normal, issues of life completion and closure.

A break (respite care) for caregivers, family, and others who regularly care for you.

Volunteer support, such as preparing meals and running errands.

Counselling and support for your loved ones after you die.

In addition to a doctor and nurses, hospice palliative care teams usually include:

• Social workers.

• Medicine specialists.

• Spiritual advisers.

• Nursing assistants.

• Trained volunteers.

Some hospice palliative care teams also include:

• Pharmacists.

• Respiratory therapists.

• Psychologists.

• Psychiatrists.

• Music therapists.

• Physiotherapists.

• Occupational therapists.

Some people worry about losing touch with their regular, trusted doctor. But he or she can work with others on your team to stay involved in your care.

For example, chemotherapy may no longer be used to cure your cancer, but it may be given to reduce pain.

People who want to live as long as possible by any medical means are not a good match for hospice palliative care.

Another goal of hospice palliative care is to give you as much control and dignity as possible during the time you have left. For example, most people in hospice palliative care can choose to die at home, surrounded by loved ones, rather than in a hospital, hooked up to one or more machines.

Help with advance care plan forms and making sure that your wishes about life support and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) are carried out.

Answer questions about palliative treatments, which relieve pain and other symptoms.

Help you with things like daily activities, bathing, eating, and moving around.

Help you figure out what is important in terms of putting your legal and financial affairs in order.

Help you and your family talk to each other and deal with difficult emotions.

Give your caregivers a break (respite care). Trained volunteers may be available to relieve your loved ones for a few hours a week. If your caregivers need a longer break or must be away to attend a special event, some hospice palliative care plans provide respite care for several days.

The toddler years bring new opportunities to support your child and understand the value of patience! Learn about toilet training, managing appetite slumps, handling common health issues and disciplining your child.

We are so glad you reached out to Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) services for support with mental health and wellness challenges.

This brochure was made for youth and/or parents and care providers and highlights some information, supports, and resources to help you on your journey.

Contents

2 Holistic (Overall) Health
4 Common mental health and

wellness challenges

8  Substance Use

9  Indigenous Centred Resources

9  LGBTQ2S+ Focused Resources

10  Multicultural Focused Resources

11  Parents and Care Providers Focused Resources

15 If you feel worse or need to connect with someone

15 If you are in crisis and need immediate help

• Changes in eating or sleeping habits

• Not interested in doing favourite activities

• Talking about dying or not wanting to live anymore

If you have serious or immediate concerns: Talk to a doctor, mental health centre, hospital emergency department (9-1-1) or one of these crisis phonelines, internet chat, and/or text support:

• Suicide crisis: 1 800 SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

• Mental health issue: 310-6789 (24 hours)

• Youth in BC

• Youthspace.ca

Child & Youth Mental Health Walk-in Intake Clinics: Learn more about our Walk-in Intake Clinics and find a location near you.

More help and support: You don’t have to handle this alone - check out these helpful resources:

• Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

• Kids Help Phone

• Foundry.ca

• Familysmart.ca

• Your Life Counts

Information for Parents & Caregivers

Warning signs: Know the signs that your child or teen might be thinking about suicide:

• HealthLink BC: Warning Signs of Suicide in Children & Teens

Additional information:

• Coping with Suicidal Thoughts

• Centre for Suicide Prevention: Info for Parents

You Find support for specific needs here.

A variety of services for children and youth with support needs (CYSN) and their families are available across the province. You may have additional options for how these services are delivered to you if you live in one of four areas piloting a new approach to CYSN services. These areas are in and around Kelowna, Prince Rupert, Terrace and Smithers. ​

Connect with programs and service providers who can help families on their journey to support each child or young person in their lives. Families can access support like therapy, respite, equipment and guidance.

Find support for specific needs

• Assessing and supporting your child's development

• Autism spectrum disorder

• Complex health needs

• Deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, blind and partially-sighted

• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

• ​Intellectual disabilities

Piloting a new approach to CYSN supports and services

A new approach to CYSN supports and services is being piloted in four BC communities.

To learn more about these pilots, please visit the following page:

• Piloting a CYSN service approach in four communities

Contact for more information

Contact the ministry at MCF.Info@gov.bc.ca

Contact a local Child & Family Service office to find out what services are available and talk about eligibility requirements. 

Consultation on CYSN

The B.C. government is asking people to share ideas through an engagement portal about how to improve services for children and youth with support needs. This online portal provides an accessible way to connect people with opportunities to provide input and recommendations to help shape the services they need.

In November 2022, the Province committed to deeper consultation regarding a service model for children and youth with support needs.

​Visit the ministry's CYSN Engagement Updates page for information about the engagement portal and more. ​

Crisis line workers are trained in critical skills such as empathetic reflection, active listening, and collaborative problem solving. They use crisis and suicide assessment and intervention protocols that are based on recognized better practices. The following crisis line services are available:

• ​1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433): for individuals who are or know someone who is having thoughts of suicide. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and in up to 140 languages. Operated in partnership with Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC.

• 310-Mental Health (310-6789 - no need to dial an area code): for individuals who would like emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health in British Columbia. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is toll-free anywhere in British Columbia (no need to dial an area code).

• Map of Crisis Lines: provides an interactive map to search for the direct number to local crisis line services in British Columbia. While 1-800-SUICIDE is available across the province and is designed to transfer callers to the local crisis line service closest to the community of the caller, in some instances individuals may prefer to contact the crisis line in their community direct.

https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/kts/index-eng.aspx

3. Make an emergency plan (Canada, P. S., 2021)

https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/plns/mk-pln-en.aspx

• Canadian Red Cross First Aid and CPR courses are delivered throughout Canada through our network of Training Partners. Please visit redcross.ca/findacourse or call 1-877-356-3226 to find training in your area.

  
  

  Courses develop vital life-saving knowledge and skills essential for those looking to meet a variety of workplace requirements up to professional first responders, become a babysitter, learn about psychological first aid training, or become a Red Cross instructor. (Canadian Red Cross)

• https://www.redcross.ca/in-your-community/british-columbia-and-yukon/first-aid-and-cpr

1. Call 9-1-1 or other emergency sevices

2. Be ready to start CPR

3. “Review this topic before you need it. Then, when you are faced with an emergency or injury, you will know what to do. Your confidence in dealing with both major and minor emergencies will be reassuring to an injured person.”

   
   

4. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-services/emergencies/dealing-emergencies

   
   

If your child is thinking about ending their life, get urgent help by calling 9-1-1 or 1-800-SUICIDE. For a mental health crisis,

1. In Vancouver Coastal Health, you can contact the Child & Youth Urgent Response Mental Health Services.

   (Vancouver Coastal Health)

   https://www.vch.ca/en/service/child-youth-urgent-response-mental-health-services#short-description--5416

   
   

2. In Fraser Health Authority, you can contact The Short Term, Assessment, Response, Treatment (START) Team. (Fraser Health)

   https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Services/mental-health-and-substance-use/mental-health---child-and-youth-services/start-team---short-term-assessment-response-treatment

3. 
   

• Intense anxiety or depression

• Suicidal thoughts or attempts

• Threatening violence

• Distorted thinking

• Self-harming

In Vancouver Coastal Health

Suicide hotline: 1-800-784-2433

Call BC Crisis Line: 604-310-6789

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

KUU-US Crisis Support Line (BC Wide Indigenous Toll Free Crisis and Support Line): 1-800-588-8717

In Fraser Health Authority

"If you are having thoughts of suicide, or are worried about someone else, call or text 9-8-8 to reach a trained responder."

https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/mental-health-and-substance-use/emergency-help-for-mental-health-and-substance-use-concerns

In Vancouver Coastal Health

https://www.vch.ca/en/health-topics/mental-health-substance-use

In Fraser Health Authority

https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/mental-health-and-substance-use

Welcome! We are glad you found us. 

We offer free mental health and wellness services for Indigenous children, youth and their families. We strive to offer services that are respectful of your culture and traditions as well as respecting traditional healing.

While all Child and Youth Mental Health teams provide services to Indigenous children, youth and their families (Find a CYMH office near you), this webpage focuses on services that work specifically with Indigenous children, youth and their families.

• Browse the listing of Indigenous CYMH services

What We Do

We know that it can be overwhelming and stressful when you or a family member are experiencing mental health concerns or substance use challenges. A mental health concern can be any thought, feeling, or behaviour that impacts wellbeing. Some examples of mental health concerns are anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm.

We believe that working together in a way that is respectful of Indigenous knowledge is key to helping children and youth and their families overcome their mental health concerns. This includes working with extended family members, Elders and supporting children and youth to access their culture and traditions as a form of healing.

Our goal is to make accessing mental health services as easy as possible. Whether it is connecting with services or answering questions, we are here to help.

How to Access Services

Contact an organization below in your area during regular office hours for more information. Although we will try our best to have updated and current information on this page, the most accurate information regarding services offered will be provided by the website of the organization or reaching out to them directly by phone.

For more information about our services, resources and supports, please review our What to Expect from CYMH Services (PDF) and CYMH Mental Health and Wellness Resources and Supports (PDF).

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/illnesses-conditions/allergies

https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/