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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)

Call 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.

KUU-US Crisis Response Service

1-800-588-8717

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

Wellbeing

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  • Wellbeing
    • Healthy Living
      • Eating Well
      • Staying Active
      • Sleep Habits
      • Mindfulness
    • Emotional
      • Resilience
      • Self-Esteem
      • Loneliness
    • Social
      • Stigma
      • Family
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    Woman outside looking off to the right

    What is Mindfulness?

    You can use mindfulness every day. It’s a tool you can use at any time. It helps you slow down, accept things as they are, cope well with problems, and simply appreciate what’s in your life right now.

    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
    • Seeking Help
      • Families Supporting Youth
      • Youth Supporting Themselves
    • Self-Harm
    • Suicide
    Image
    Man sits on couch, looking at smart phone

    Getting Help for Depression

    At first, you may find depression hard to notice in yourself or someone else. Learn what you can do if you are experiencing depression.

    Learn more
  • Substance use
    • Types of Substance Use
      • Alcohol
      • Opioids
      • Stimulants
    • Addiction
      • Addiction and Health
      • Treatment and Recovery
    • Harm Reduction
      • Overdose Prevention
      • Naloxone
      • Drug Checking
    Image
    two men stand together outside

    StopOverdose BC

    The stigma around addiction makes it harder to ask for help. Make the connection. Have the conversation. Stop the stigma.

    Learn more

Main navigation

  • Wellbeing
    • Healthy Living
      • Eating Well
      • Staying Active
      • Sleep Habits
      • Mindfulness
    • Emotional
      • Resilience
      • Self-Esteem
      • Loneliness
    • Social
      • Stigma
      • Family
    Image
    Woman outside looking off to the right

    What is Mindfulness?

    You can use mindfulness every day. It’s a tool you can use at any time. It helps you slow down, accept things as they are, cope well with problems, and simply appreciate what’s in your life right now.

    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
    Image
    Man sits on couch, looking at smart phone

    Getting Help for Depression

    At first, you may find depression hard to notice in yourself or someone else. Learn what you can do if you are experiencing depression.

    Learn more
  • Substance use
    • Types of Substance Use
      • Alcohol
      • Opioids
      • Stimulants
    • Addiction
      • Addiction and Health
      • Treatment and Recovery
    • Harm Reduction
      • Overdose Prevention
      • Naloxone
      • Drug Checking
    Image
    two men stand together outside

    StopOverdose BC

    The stigma around addiction makes it harder to ask for help. Make the connection. Have the conversation. Stop the stigma.

    Learn more

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Wellbeing

Addiction

Addiction is a complicated topic, and there are many different types. Here’s information about addiction and substance use.

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  2. Substance Use
  3. Addiction

Substance use

  • Types of Substance Use
    • Alcohol
    • Opioids
    • Stimulants
  • Addiction
    • Addiction and Health
    • Treatment and Recovery
  • Harm Reduction
    • Overdose Prevention
    • Naloxone
    • Drug Checking

People can become addicted to substances, like alcohol or other drugs. This is sometimes called a ‘substance use dependence’. Addiction can also happen when a behaviour becomes out of control in some way, like problem gambling.

People use substances for many different reasons. Someone may use alcohol to wind down at the end of a long, busy week. A teenager may use cannabis with friends to be social. Someone who has been injured may use opioid medication to manage their pain.

People can use substances – in these ways and others – without experiencing substance use challenges. Substances can also cause harm without addiction. For example, someone could use an illicit substance for the first time and experience a fatal overdose.

There are common misconceptions about addiction. More and more, the conversation about addiction is changing. People are becoming more aware of using words and language that reduce stigma.

If someone has not experienced addiction themselves or with a person they care about, there may be things about this condition they do not know.

Addiction is a health condition – it is the result of external factors, not personal choices. There are often different reasons behind someone’s addiction.

Where to get help for addiction

  • Find Opioid Agonist Treatment Clinics that are accepting new patients. 
  • Learn about treatment and supportive recovery services and find a list of services throughout B.C.
  • Call 8-1-1 for information on recovery and addiction treatment services in your area, or to speak to a registered nurse or pharmacist.

Resources

Showing 4 Resources

Overdose Prevention Sites Listings (Toward the Heart)

Locations where people can safely use drugs under supervision of staff trained in emergency response. Services are free.

In Person
Learn More

Naloxone Information and Support

Learn how to use naloxone to help stop an overdose and save lives. Pick up a free naloxone kit at a location near you. 

Virtual
Learn More

Drug Checking Sites (BCCSU)

The illicit drug supply in B.C. is extremely toxic. Use free drug checking services at supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites.

In Person
Virtual
Learn More

BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program and Help Hotline

Free, confidential gambling support and information is available via phone or video conferencing.

Telephone
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

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

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)

Mental Health Support

310-6789