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If you are in need of immediate help, call 9-1-1.

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 9-8-8

​Call 1-800-784-2433 or dial 9-8-8 if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide

310 Mental Health Support

310-6789 (NO AREA CODE)

Call for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.

Opioid Treatment Access Line

1-833-804-8111

Call for same-day opioid addiction support.

KUU-US Crisis Response Service

1-800-588-8717

Call for culturally-aware crisis support for Indigenous peoples in B.C.

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    Youth Resilience

    Fostering resilience in the young people we care about is crucial for their overall wellbeing. By modelling resilience ourselves and by teaching it as a skill, we can help give young people the tools they need to meet challenges.

    Learn more
  • Mental health
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      • What to Do About Anxiety
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    Anxiety, Stress, Depression. Understand the differences.

    Anxiety, depression, and stress are three common mental health concerns that can deeply impact our daily lives. But sometimes, when you’re not feeling well, it can be hard to figure out exactly why.

    Learn more
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    Opioid Treatment Access Line: phone number 1-833-804-8111

    Get same-day support

    The Opioid Treatment Access Line makes it faster and easier to access life-saving medication with same-day support.

    Learn more
  • Articles

Main navigation

  • Wellbeing
    • Healthy Living
      • Eating Well
      • Staying Active
      • Sleep Habits
      • Mindfulness
    • Emotional
      • Resilience
      • Self-Esteem
      • Loneliness
    • Social
      • Stigma
      • Family
    Image
    young person talking to a group

    Youth Resilience

    Fostering resilience in the young people we care about is crucial for their overall wellbeing. By modelling resilience ourselves and by teaching it as a skill, we can help give young people the tools they need to meet challenges.

    Learn more
  • Mental health
    • Anxiety
      • What to Do About Anxiety
      • Panic Attacks
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Depression
      • Symptoms of Depression
      • What to Do About Depression
    • Stress
      • Symptoms of Stress
      • Managing Stress
    • Self-Harm
    • Suicide
    • Seeking Help
      • Families Supporting Youth
      • Youth Supporting Themselves
      • Multi-Language Services in BC
    Image
    Man looks out window pensively

    Anxiety, Stress, Depression. Understand the differences.

    Anxiety, depression, and stress are three common mental health concerns that can deeply impact our daily lives. But sometimes, when you’re not feeling well, it can be hard to figure out exactly why.

    Learn more
  • Substance use
    • Types of Substance Use
      • Alcohol
      • Opioids
      • Stimulants
    • Addiction
      • Addiction and Health
      • Treatment and Recovery
    • Harm Reduction
      • Overdose Prevention
      • Respond to an Overdose
      • Naloxone
      • Drug Checking
    Image
    Opioid Treatment Access Line: phone number 1-833-804-8111

    Get same-day support

    The Opioid Treatment Access Line makes it faster and easier to access life-saving medication with same-day support.

    Learn more
  • Articles

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HelpStartsHere

The Tailgate Toolkit

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Get the right tools for the job

People working in the trades often face unique challenges when it comes to their health and safety. The work can be demanding and even dangerous, and there’s often a risk of injury. In some cases, a get-it-done workplace culture might discourage people from seeking help. But the workplace culture in the trades can also be a great source of strength: site crews are close, and they’re often willing to help each other out.

The Tailgate Toolkit is a program that helps people working in construction find and access resources and supports for substance use, mental health, and pain management. It was put together by construction industry leaders from across the province and is led by the Vancouver Island Construction Association, with support from the BC government. The program has four key parts:

  • Toolbox Talks: A member of the Tailgate Toolkit team will come to your worksite for a 30-to-45-minute conversation about substance use and mental health supports, including harm reduction tools.
  • Supervisor Training: Supervisors, managers, site leaders, safety workers or company owners can take a four-day, Gold Seal and CPD-accredited course through the Tailgate Toolkit on how to talk about substance use and mental health with their teams.
  • Hammer Time: An anonymous online support group for construction workers meets on Thursdays to talk about substance use. It’s not a 12-step program, it’s not religious, and you don’t have to be sober to participate.
  • Resource listings: Tailgate Toolkit has guides to resources available on Vancouver Island, in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, in the Southern Interior and in Northern BC.

Visit the Tailgate Toolkit website to access these resources or get in touch with the program and learn more about how the Tailgate Toolkit can support your team. Through funding from the BC government, each competent of the Tailgate Toolkit is free to access.

It can be hard to talk about mental health and substance use, especially at work, but the Tailgate Toolkit can help you find the right tools for the job.

How can I help?

If someone you know or care about is struggling, whether at work or in your personal life, take time to check in with them. Remember that open, non-judgmental conversations help people talk honestly about the challenges they face. Listen actively and try not to provide advice or opinions until they’re asked for. Remind people that support is available.

If someone is looking for support or treatment for a mental health or substance use problem, HelpStartsHere can be a great place to start searching. The Tailgate Toolkit resource guides also highlight what supports are available in your region. You can also call 8-1-1 or visit a primary care provider through a clinic or virtual doctor’s appointment.

Resources

Showing 3 Resources

Tailgate Toolkit

The Tailgate Toolkit Project is  aimed at increasing access to harm reduction for those working in the construction industry.

Learn More
Available B.C. wide

Hammer Time

Umbrella Society for Addictions and Mental Health

Offers a facilitated group peer support for individuals with substance use issues working in the construction, trades, forestry and transport industry from staff who understands and has lived experience.

Participants share their experiences, ways to cope, and find support to access recovery and harm reduction services.

Learn More
Available B.C. wide

People Working Well

Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division

Offers mental health resources and free training for employers and employees in BC who work in the tourism, hospitality and community social services industry. Resources include a range of tools to help with workplace concerns such as supporting colleagues through crisis, neurodiversity in the workplace and managing change effectively.

You can register for webinars, sign up for training, or connect to a workplace psychological consultant who can guide an individual, team or organization through making changes.

Learn More
HelpStartsHere British Columbia

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Emergency Contact Information

Call 9-1-1 if you are in an emergency. For mental health support, call:

Crisis Line

Call 1-800-784-2433 or dial 9-8-8 if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide

Mental Health Support Line

310-6789 (no area code needed)

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Emergency Contacts

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 9-8-8

Mental Health Support

310-6789