Mental Health Treatment & Recovery Beds

Mental health treatment and recovery beds include services for adults with a significant and persistent mental illness who need ongoing support. These bed-based mental health programs have a housing component as part of the service. 

The length of stay and level of care are tailored to individual needs. Program activities focus on skill-building to promote independent living and wellness in the community. Program placement depends on individual need. 

Many housing-based community programs have a monthly fee. Costs vary depending on the program and client income. The fees, and paying for expenses as part of daily living, is part of the psycho-social recovery process.  

General eligibility criteria

Each program may have specific eligibility criteria. Clients are matched to sites based on their individual care needs. General eligibility criteria for clients to access services: 

• Care need is related to a diagnosis of severe and persistent mental illness.
• Followed by an Island Health MHSU Case Management teams.
• 19 years or older.
• Willing to actively participate in rehabilitation and recovery plans.

Example programs

Licensed Care

Licensed Care Programs governed under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and follow the Residential Care Regulation. You can view inspection reports for each program.

The eligibility criteria for clients in Licensed Care are the same as those outlined above. 

Complex Care Housing

Complex Care Housing includes enhanced support and wrap-around services for people experiencing significant health care needs and active substance use challenges, and who have unstable housing and/or are at risk of losing their housing. 

In partnership with the Province of BC, BC Housing and community-based housing providers, Island Health offers enhanced health care support in supportive housing settings in Greater Victoria and Nanaimo. This support helps clients with complex needs who require specialized services to achieve optimal independence, wellness and stable housing. 

Eligibility criteria

Clients must meet each of the criteria below: 

• Aged 19 and older living with serious mental health/or substance use challenges and other health issues that severely impact function and ability to maintain housing. 
• Individual needs are not met by existing housing, are unhoused or have unstable housing.
• Require 24/7 mental health, substance use services and/or functional support. 
• Have not been successfully supported by other mental health and substance use programs, and/or have a history of eviction or discharge from supportive or transitional housing.

Referral

• Referrals can come from any health care professional. Self-referrals are also accepted.
• Questions and referrals for Complex Care Housing can be directed to MHSU.CHHReferral@islandhealth.ca.