South Island residents now have a new way to access same-day counselling from mental health professionals.
People with mental health or substance use issues but don't need to go to hospital can now get same-day assessment appointments and walk-in counselling at Island Health's Central Access and Rapid Engagement Service (CARES) in Victoria.
“When people reach out for help, they need to be able to find support quickly and easily,” said Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside.
“Without access to timely treatment, many people struggling with mental health or addiction issues feel unsupported or decide not to seek treatment. This new service in Victoria will eliminate wait times by providing same-day access to dedicated mental health professionals, ensuring compassionate care when you need it most.”
At CARES, clients are seen by trained and skilled mental health and substance use clinicians who provide goal-oriented counseling sessions with therapeutic support.
Patients can schedule follow-up appointments based on their needs, where they can receive a detailed admission screening and assessment to help find the most appropriate mental health or substance use services.
“Many people who seek treatment at Royal Jubilee Hospital's psychiatric emergency services unit will be better served through this new walk-in mental health service,” said Tasha McKelvey, Island Health's director of mental health and substance use.
“Our goal is to quickly and efficiently provide or connect people to the support they need to improve their health and wellness, gain skills to manage their health conditions, and better understand the supports and resources available in their community.”
Island Health says clients will also be referred to other community services and supports as needed.
Victoria CARES has created additional clinical and peer support roles to meet demand for services, and same-day services will offer both face-to-face and virtual counselling sessions.
Victoria CARES is located at 1119 Pembroke St. and can be reached by making an appointment by calling 250-519-3485 or by showing up in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
Anyone experiencing a more serious mental health and/or substance use emergency or crisis should always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Crisis response services are also available:
To receive 24-hour crisis support, call the Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-888-494-3888. Text the Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 250-800-3806 nightly from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Call or text the Community Led Crisis Response Team (CLCR) at 250-818-2454 Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm. An online chat crisis service is available at www.vicrisis.ca nightly from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. To reach a 24-hour information specialist, call BC211 (2-1-1) or visit www.bc211.ca. Dial 911 or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital. Get immediate help anytime by calling 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). Call the KUU-US Crisis Line at 1-800-588-8717 to access 24-hour Indigenous-specific crisis support.
For information or support regarding mental health and substance use services, contact Island Health's Service Link at 1-888-885-8824.
This number is staffed by call takers every day of the week. This is not an emergency or crisis service, so callers who leave a message will be contacted the same or next day.
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