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Help Phone Lines

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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    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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    • Types of Substance Use
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      • Respond to an Overdose
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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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Alcohol

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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

Alcohol is found in wine, beer and liquors, as well as in some household products, like mouthwash and hand sanitizer. Drinking alcohol is never risk-free, but there are things you can do to keep your drinking at the safest possible levels. This is called low-risk drinking.

Alcohol is a part of many people’s lives and may play a role in cultural and family traditions. Many people enjoy drinking alcohol, and most people drink in a safe way. It’s also okay to decide not to drink.

Alcohol use disorder is the most common substance use disorder in BC, but it often goes unrecognized and untreated.

Consuming too much alcohol over a period of time can lead to an alcohol overdose. Knowing the signs of alcohol poisoning and how to respond can help you and others stay safer.

Learn the signs of alcohol poisoning and how to respond. You could even save a life.

To drink alcohol in the safest way possible:

  • Learn more about Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines.
  • Use the blood alcohol calculator to familiarize yourself with the effects of drinking on your blood alcohol content.
  • Take the alcohol sense quiz.
  • Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about your drinking.

If you suspect an overdose, call 9-1-1 right away.

Resources

Showing 4 Resources

Available B.C. wide

Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service

211 British Columbia Services Society

Provides a free, confidential phone service for people throughout BC needing help with any kind of substance use concern. Offers information and referral to education and prevention resources, support groups, and a full range of counselling and treatment services. Not a clinical service.

Learn More
Available B.C. wide

Help with Drinking

Get information and guidance about alcohol use based on evidence and lived experience. No bias. No judgment. HelpWithDrinking.ca provides information about problem drinking and recovery.

Learn More
Available B.C. wide

First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day

Free access to primary and mental health care closer to home for First Nations people who have limited or no access to doctors. 

Learn More

HealthLink BC (8-1-1)

Free, reliable non-emergency health information and advice available by phone (8-1-1), online, or mobile app.

Learn More
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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