While the holiday season is a time for celebrations, it can also be a time of year when people may feel lonely, stressed or triggered.

The past few years have been difficult for people due to global unrest, the lasting impacts of natural disasters and the pandemic. On top of this, people in B.C. continue to lose friends, family and community members to unrelenting toxic-drug poisonings.

These challenges can adversely affect people’s mental health. If you are struggling emotionally or if you know someone who is, please reach out for help. Crisis supports and resources are available online, over the phone and in person.

People continue to be affected by the devastating effects of the poisoned-drug supply. It is a very dangerous time for people who use illicit street drugs. It is important that those who use drugs get them tested and do not use alone.

The B.C. government has a wide range of life-saving services available, such as drug checking, supervised-consumption sites, prescribed pharmaceutical alternatives, treatment and recovery, and more.

Guides to mental-health and substance-use services:

Province of B.C. online guide for finding mental-health and substance-use supports.

Province of B.C. online guide for virtual mental-health supports.

Crisis and suicide helplines:

Canada’s suicide-crisis helpline: 988 (call or text). A safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Crisis intervention and suicide-prevention centre: 

Confidential, non-judgmental, free emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide.

Call 1 800 SUICIDE (784-2433) or visit: https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/

KUU-US crisis-response service: 

* 24/7, culturally aware crisis support for Indigenous people in British Columbia.

* Call 1 800 588-8717 or visit: https://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com/​

Overdose prevention:

LifeGuard app: The app utilizes a 50-second timer activated by the person using drugs before taking their dose. If the user does not stop the timer alarm, a text-to-voice call will go to 911 alerting medical dispatchers of a potential overdose.

Province of B.C. overdose prevention website: To learn about services and strategies to prevent overdoses.

National overdose response service (NORS): Offers access to harm reduction and social support through a telephone line. The line is operated by persons with lived and living experience of substance use to support individuals who are using alone.

Call 1-888-688-6677 or visit: https://www.nors.ca

BC Government image

e-KNOW

Article Share