Provincial Health Services Authority

Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) improves the health of British Columbians by seeking province-wide solutions to specialized health care needs in collaboration with BC health authorities and other partners.

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Caring for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges

BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services provides specialized treatment, education, health promotion and more for British Columbians.

Refer a client or patient to one of our programs

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Summary Links

In an emergency or crisis?

If you are in a crisis or emergency, or are worried that you or a loved one is at risk of harm, please speak with someone immediately:

Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room if you are afraid of hurting yourself or someone else, or if no other options are available.
Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide.
Call 310Mental Health Support: 310-6789 (no area code needed) to speak to a crisis line worker 24/7.

Help is available.

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Featured Content

Treating patients with compassion and hope

New website centralizes mental health and substance use education

From clients to champions: Recognizing our peer support workers

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What is complex mental health and substance use?

We treat the most ill, most vulnerable people in B.C., whose needs go beyond what they can access in their communities. One frequent example of the kind of complex illness we treat is a concurrent disorder, which is defined as a combination of a severe mental illness and substance use disorder.

people sitting at a picnic table talking Learn about complex mental health and addiction

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Treating patients with compassion and hope	Treating patients with compassion and hope	May Kung works with some of the most marginalized patients in the province, but she sees them as people worthy of dignity and respect. Her dedication, compassion and belief in trauma-informed practice have earned her a PHSA+ Award.	http://www.bcmhsus.ca/about/news-stories/stories/may-kung-2023-phsa-plus-recipient	2023-11-03T07:00:00Z
New website centralizes mental health and substance use education	New website centralizes mental health and substance use education	For the first time, the newly-launched BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services’ Centre for Learning website consolidates innovative learning resources for mental health and substance use providers.	http://www.bcmhsus.ca/about/news-stories/stories/new-one-stop-shop-centralizes-mental-health-and-substance-use-education	2023-11-01T07:00:00Z
From clients to champions: Recognizing our peer support workers	From clients to champions: Recognizing our peer support workers	Community Transition Teams highlight the crucial services provided by peer support workers, who support our clients and staff through the power of their own personal journeys.	http://www.bcmhsus.ca/about/news-stories/stories/from-clients-to-champions-recognizing-our-peer-support-workers	2023-10-25T07:00:00Z
Showcasing hope and healing through art	Showcasing hope and healing through art	This Working Group asked clients and family partners to share art that represents healing to create a more welcoming environment at the Forensic Psychiatric Clinic in Nanaimo. Learn why this meaningful work earned them a PHSA+ Award.	http://www.bcmhsus.ca/about/news-stories/stories/bcmhsus-working-group-phsa-plus-recipient	2023-10-13T07:00:00Z
BCMHSUS statement	BCMHSUS statement		http://www.bcmhsus.ca/about/news-stories/stories/bcmhsus-statement	2023-09-14T07:00:00Z

SOURCE: Caring for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges ( )
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