Did you know that one in five British Columbians will be affected by a mental health and/or substance use problem this year? That’s a lot of people! It could be our co-workers, our dearest friends, our parents, our children, and even ourselves.
But don’t worry, help is available!
For urgent help, here is a quick list of crisis lines:
Mental Health Crisis Lines 📞
Vancouver Island Crisis Line
📞 1-888-494-3888 – 24-hour crisis workers provide short-term non-judgemental emotional, support, crisis intervention, information, and resources.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call 1-800-784-2433. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you’re in immediate danger or need urgent medical support, call 911.
For in-person mental health services, crisis counselling and referrals to local supports:
Nanaimo Crisis Counselling & Intake
In Nanaimo, most mental health and substance use (MHSU) services are found through the “Brooks Landing” access center including :
- Drop-in Crisis Counselling – Single session crisis-focused counselling, No appointment is necessary. Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm
- Drop-in Intake Services – for information & referrals to mental health and/or substance use services. Mon – Fri 10am – 3pm
These free walk-in services are available at #203-2000 Island Hwy (the Brooks Landing shopping centre), look for the Island Health sign.
You can also set-up an appointment by phone: (250) 739-5710
And here is our giant list of resources for more specific support groups and organizations.
While we aim to find Nanaimo-area & central island based organizations… that isn’t always possible, so we’ve also included some from Victoria & Vancouver, too.
Table of Contents
General Mental Heath Resources
Looking for information and support?
Call 310-6789 to reach the Mental Health and Information and Support Line, from anywhere in BC. You will receive emotional support, and information on appropriate referral options and a wide range of support relating to mental health concerns.
We’re Here to Help
Website: https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/
Explore strategies to help you take care of your mental health and use substances in healthier ways, find the information you need to manage mental health and substance use problems, and learn how you can support a loved one.
Kids Help Phone
Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders.
Or visit the Kids Help Phone website for online chat support or to access online resources for children and youth.
Nanaimo Mental Health & Addiction
Phone: (250) 739-5880 | website
Address: 3151 Barons Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5W5
Canadian Mental Health Association
Phone: (250) 389-1211 | website
Address: 125 Skinner Street, Victoria, BC
HealthLinkBC
Phone: 8-1-1
TTY (Deaf and hearing-impaired): 7-1-1
HealthLink BC helps you learn about health topics, check your symptoms and find the health services and resources that you need for healthy living. Call 8-1-1 or visit HealthLinkBC.ca for easy access to help you find the health services you need, closest to where you live.
Wellness Together Canada
To connect with a mental health professional one-on-one:
- call 1-888-668-6810 or text WELLNESS to 686868 for youth
- call 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to 741741 for adults
You can also visit Wellness Together Canada to access different levels of support.
Advocates, Orgs & Support Groups
Bi-Polar & Mood Disorders
Bi-Polar / Manic Depressive Association
Website: https://mdabc.net/
Phone: (250) 479-1391
Address: 3746 Seaton Street, Victoria
Description: Meetings for people with depressive or manic depressive illness. Also a family and friends meeting.
Mood Disorders Association of BC
Website: https://mdabc.net/
Phone: (604) 873-0103
Description: Offers support groups for persons with mood disorders, their families, and friends.
Forward House (Parksville)
Website: www.forwardhouse.com
Phone: (250) 954-0785
Description: Vocational rehabilitation programs that promote socialization and communication skills. A mental health partnership.
Anxiety & Agoraphobia
Se-Cure Panic Disorders
Phone: (250) 479-4265
Address: 4359 Harder Road, Victoria
Description: Support group for people with agoraphobia or panic disorders.
Addiction & Alcoholism
Nanaimo Mental Health & Addiction
Phone: (250) 739-5880 | website
Address: 3151 Barons Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5W5
Narcotics Anonymous
Website: http://www.cviana.ca/
Phone: (888) 265-7333
Description: Non-profit fellowship for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. 24-hour help line.
Alanon
Phone: (250) 757-2098
Description: Offers understanding and help to Oceanside families and friends of problem drinkers.
Meeting Details: Meetings every Monday and Thursday evenings at 8pm.
Adult and Youth Alcohol and Drug Services
Phone: (250) 248-8300
Address: 249 W. Hirst Avenue, Parksville
Alcoholics Anonymous
Phone: (250) 248-7273
Description: Men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism
Parksville/Qualicum 12 Step Recovery
Phone: (250) 248-9897
Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer Society of BC
Website: http://www.alzheimer.ca/bc/
Phone: 800-667-3742
Address: 300-828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
Services: Free Tele-learning Sessions
North and Central Vancouver Island Resource Centre
Website: alzheimerbc.org
Phone: 250-734-4170
Address: 200 – 1585 Bowen Road, Nanaimo, BC
Services: Support and Education Coordinator
South Island Resource Centre
Website: alzheimerbc.org
Phone: 250-382-2052
Address: 202-306 Burnside Road West, Victoria, BC
Dyslexia
Victoria Read Society
Phone: (250) 388-7225
Address: 720 Linden Avenue, Victoria
Description: The society helps students of all ages learn.
Eating Disorders
British Columbia Eating Disorders Association
Phone: (250) 383-2755
Address: 526 Michigan Street, Victoria
Grief & Loss
Nanaimo Hospice – Offers professional counselling support, as well as support groups and education programs for both adults and teens.
Knox United Church (in Parksville) offers support groups and workshops regarding grief and death.
Nanaimo Grief Support Group – Peer run group meets at 55 Victoria Rd,
every Thursday offering space to grieve and do art projects to process grief.
Healing Hearts – Free support group for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one to overdose or substance-related harms. email: nanaimo@healingheartscanada.org
Process Oriented Facilitation & Coma Communication
Website: comacommunication.com
Phone: 250-383-5677
Address: 502-620 View Street, Victoria, BC
Head Injury
Brain Injury Association of Southern Vancouver Island
Phone: (250) 598-9339
Over Eating
Over Eaters Anonymous
Phone: (250) 248-2719
Contacts: Elise, Lorri
Meeting Details: Meetings held Tuesdays at 7.30pm and Fridays at noon at the Church of the Ascension, 877 Wembley Road, Parksville (very back door)
Schizophrenia
BC Schizophrenia Society – Victoria
Website: https://www.bcss.org/venue/bcss-victoria/?tribe_venue=bcss-victoria&tribe_event_display=past
Phone: (250) 384-4225
Description: Provides support to family members and people with schizophrenia. Also support, education, advocacy, research, and respite.
Schizophrenia Support Group
Phone: (250) 248-0486
Contact: Cathy Burkmar
Meeting Details: Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of each month at Trillium Lodge at 7pm.
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis
Hope for Wellness Help Line
Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or connect to the online Hope for Wellness chat.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples seeking emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community-based services.
Support is available in English and French and, by request, in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.
The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
Crisis support is available to former Indian Residential School students and their families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-866-925-4419 (toll-free).
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Crisis Line|
Crisis support is available to individuals impacted by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-844-413-6649 (toll-free).
Final Thoughts
Remember, we’re all in this together. Reach out for help if you need it, and don’t hesitate to support those around you. Stay strong and take care!
With love,
Aydah and Rose 🐾