Mental Health & Substance Use Resources

Crisis Lines

If you are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, please contact one of the crisis lines below:

Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888

Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 9-8-8

  • A safe space to talk or text, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717

  • Resource for Indigenous people on Vancouver Island and across the province. Support is available 24-hours a day, every day of the year.
  • Adult Crisis Line: 250-723-4050      
  • Youth Crisis Line: 250-723-2040

Information and Support

Use of Unregulated Substances 

Children and Youth

News & Events

International Overdose Awareness Day 2025

Island Health marks International Overdose Awareness Day events with memorial stations across the region

We invite anyone who has been impacted by the toxic drug crisis to remember their loved ones at in-person or digital interactive memorials as a part of International Overdose Awareness Day.

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Crowd at a music festival

Vibes high, risks low: Your guide to a safe summer festival season

Summer is here, ushering in the unofficial festival season. Island Health has tips for festival fun to help keep the vibes high and risks low.

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Dr. Hendri Eksteen

Virtual psychiatry service brings timely mental health care to rural communities

Island Health now offers Virtual On-Demand Urgent Psychiatry, giving adults in five rural hospitals evening and weekend access to psychiatric care via secure virtual consultations.

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