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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)

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
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      • Mindfulness
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      • Resilience
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    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
      • COVID-19 Stress
      • Managing Stress
    • Seeking Help
      • Families Supporting Youth
      • Youth Supporting Themselves
    • Self-Harm
    • Suicide
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    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
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    Two men standing and laughing by a brick wall

    Drinking and Your Health

    Alcohol is a substance that can be enjoyed in moderation. However, the more you drink, the more your risk of certain diseases can go up. Find out how many drinks it takes to put you at risk, and how high or low those risks can be.

    Learn more
  • Browse supports

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
      • COVID-19 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 standing and laughing by a brick wall

    Drinking and Your Health

    Alcohol is a substance that can be enjoyed in moderation. However, the more you drink, the more your risk of certain diseases can go up. Find out how many drinks it takes to put you at risk, and how high or low those risks can be.

    Learn more
  • Browse supports

Top Navigation

  • Our Partners
  • Contact
  • About Us

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

Harm Reduction

Many activities in life involve some level of risk, but there are ways to reduce the potential harm associated with these types of activities.

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  2. Substance Use
  3. Harm Reduction

Substance use

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

It’s called harm reduction, and it’s about keeping yourself and others safer when doing things that involve risk.

For example, using safer sex supplies like condoms reduce the risk of contracting and spreading Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). As well, following lower risk drinking guidelines can reduce the short and long term effects of alcohol use, like alcohol-related injury and cancer.

When it comes to substance use, harm reduction strategies and services saves lives. Harm reduction prevents substance use-related harms, including overdose. It also includes things like sterile needle distribution which helps curb the spread of infections, like HIV and Hepatitis C.

Harm reduction meets people where they are in life and can be a stepping-stone in their recovery journey.

If you or someone you know uses drugs, stay safer by:

  • Learning the steps for safer substance use.
  • Using safer substance use supplies like sterile needles.
  • Carrying naloxone  and using the Lifeguard App.
  • Visiting supervised consumption and overdose prevention services and having drugs checked.
  • Finding mental health and substance use support and getting a referral to a health support service.
  • Attending peer support programs run by people with lived experience using substances.
  • Finding options for safer medication alternatives and opioid agonist treatment, such as methadone or suboxone.

There are many benefits of finding ways to stay safer. Harm reduction can improve your social, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. It also helps you connect with others and develop healthy relationships.

Non-judgmental approaches and services to reduce harm are available to all people who needs them. These supports treat people with respect and help save lives.

For support online and in your community to stay safer:

  • Learn more about harm reduction strategies
  • Find out where to get safer sex and drug use supplies in your community
  • Call 8-1-1 for information on services in your area, or to speak to a registered nurse or pharmacist

Resources

Showing 8 Resources

HeretoHelp

Online information and resources that helps people live well, prevent and manage mental health and substance use challenges.

Adult
Alcohol
Anxiety
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Information and tools
Interior Health

HeretoHelp

Contact

1-250-310-6789
Email
Website

About

Online information and resources that help people live well, prevent and manage mental health and substance use challenges.

Description

Find quality information, learn new skills, and connect with key resources in B.C. Explore strategies to help you take care of your mental health and use substances in healthier ways and learn how you can support a loved one.

This site is run by BC Partners; BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority.

Adult
Alcohol
Anxiety
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Mental health care
Northern Health
Parent or caregiver
Relationship or family violence
Stress
Understanding mental health
Understanding wellness
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Wellness programs
Learn more
Learn More

Alcohol and Drug Information Referral Service

Free, confidential information and referral services to support you with any kind of substance use challenge.

Addiction and recovery
Alcohol
Drug use
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
Help navigating services
In crisis
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health

Alcohol and Drug Information Referral Service

Contact

1-800-663-1441

About

Call for a referral to community substance use treatment services.

Description

This service can help you learn about prevention resources, support groups, and other topics related to addiction and substance use. This includes referrals to detox and treatment programs.

Free, multilingual phone assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This service is provided by 211 British Columbia Services Society.

Addiction and recovery
Alcohol
Drug use
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
Help navigating services
In crisis
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs
Treatment services
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Learn more
Learn More

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. 

Addiction and recovery
Alcohol
Anxiety
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
First Nations person
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Indigenous person

First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day

Contact

1-855-344-3800
Website
Sun: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Mon: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Tue: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Wed: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Thu: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Fri: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Sat: 8:30 am-4:30 pm

About

Free video and phone-based appointments that help members of BC First Nations access primary and mental health care closer to home.

Description

Provided through the First Nations Health Authority, this program is for First Nations people who have limited or no access to their own doctors. 

All First Nations people who live in B.C. are eligible for this service – and so are their family members, even if those family members are non-status. There are no age limits.

The program includes doctors of Indigenous ancestry, and all doctors are trained to follow the principles and practices of cultural safety and humility. 

Addiction and recovery
Alcohol
Anxiety
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
First Nations person
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Indigenous person
Information and tools
Interior Health
Inuit person
Island Health
Mental health care
Mental health intake
Métis person
Northern Health
Relationship or family violence
Stress
Understanding mental health
Understanding wellness
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Learn more
Learn More

Lifeguard App

A free app that connects people to emergency responders automatically if they become unresponsive while using drugs. 

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
In crisis
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs

Lifeguard App

Contact

Email
Website

About

A free app that connects people to emergency responders automatically if they become unresponsive while using drugs.

Description

Lifeguard App app gives people who use drugs one more way to stay safer. It empowers people who use drugs to take charge of their health and helps them to survive accidental overdose.

When someone is about to use a drug, especially alone, they can open the app and record the type of substance they are using and confirm their location. The app will hold this information, and a timer is set which can be paused or extended by the app user at any time. 

App users can access treatment options quickly and easily, directly through the app. This means that users can remain safer until they are ready to start their journey to recovery.

Download the app for free on your smartphone or tablet through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
In crisis
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Learn more
Learn More

bc211

A free phone, text, and online search service that helps you find community, government and social services in your area.

Addiction and recovery
Adult
Alcohol
Anxiety
Child or youth
Counselling
Culturally safe care
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image

bc211

Contact

2-1-1
Send text
Email
Website

About

bc211 is a free, confidential information service that helps you find community, government and social services in B.C.

Description

Search online for programs and services that cover everything from mental health services and financial assistance to food banks and emergency shelters.

Phone: bc211 provides support by phone in over 150 languages across B.C, available 24 hours, seven day a week. Access for the deaf or hard of hearing community available at 1-604 875-0885.

Text: Text the name of your city to 2-1-1 in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Squamish-Lillooet, Sunshine Coast Regional Districts, Vancouver Island, or the Gulf Islands to chat with an Information & Referral Specialist, seven days a week between 8am to 11pm.

Chat: Available from anywhere in B.C. through web chat between 8am to 11pm, seven days a week.

bc211 is provided by 211 British Columbia Services Society.

Addiction and recovery
Adult
Alcohol
Anxiety
Child or youth
Counselling
Culturally safe care
Depression
Drug use
Eating and body image
Fraser Health
Help hotlines
Help navigating services
In crisis
In-person services
Indigenous person
Information and tools
Interior Health
Inuit person
Island Health
LGBTQ2S+ person
Mental health care
Mental health intake
Métis person
Newcomer
Northern Health
Parent or caregiver
Peer support
Person who uses drugs
Person with a disability
Post-secondary student
Relationship or family violence
Senior
Service provider
Stress
Support groups
Treatment services
Understanding mental health
Understanding wellness
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Wellness programs
Learn more
Learn More

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.

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports

Overdose Prevention Sites Listings (Toward the Heart)

Contact

Website

About

Sites offer drug checking services, overdose prevention, education, naloxone kits and naloxone training.

Description

Some sites may also have harm reduction supplies like sterile needles, safe needle disposal, filters, cookers, condoms, etc. They can help refer you to more mental health and substance use services. 

Overdose prevention sites are managed by health authorities with community partners across B.C. These spaces work together with social services and healthcare.

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
Fraser Health
Help navigating services
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Learn more
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. 

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
Fraser Health
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports

Naloxone Information and Support

Contact

Website

About

Learn how to tell when somebody is experiencing an overdose, and how to respond with your Take Home Naloxone kit.

Description

Take free nalaxone training online. Anyone can learn to use naloxone to reverse an overdose through Towards The Heart.

Find a nearby location where you can pick up a free kit and carry it with you. 

Have a question? Use the online form.

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
Fraser Health
Information and tools
Interior Health
Island Health
Northern Health
Person who uses drugs
Vancouver Coastal Health
Virtual supports
Wellness programs
Learn more
Learn More

ANKORS Drug Checking

Fast, free, anonymous drug checking with
FTIR spectrometry and fentanyl test strips.

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
In-person services
Information and tools
Interior Health
Person who uses drugs

ANKORS Drug Checking

Contact

1-800-421-2437
Email
Website
Cranbrook
Back Cranbrook

#209A – 16th Ave N
Cranbrook BC V1C 5S8
Canada

1-250-426-3383
Email
Website
Nelson
Back Nelson

101 Baker Street
Nelson BC V1L 4H1
Canada

1-250-505-5506
Email
Website

About

Fast, free, anonymous drug checking with FTIR spectrometry and fentanyl test strips.

Description

Ankors hosts drug checking in person, in their offices so clients can have a conversation about what exactly their substance is made of.

Ankors also offers take home fentanyl test strips, and lessons on how to use them, so you can test your drugs for fentanyl even when the offices are closed.

Addiction and recovery
Drug use
In-person services
Information and tools
Interior Health
Person who uses drugs
Learn more
Learn More

Supports and Services

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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