If your child is having a mental health or substance use crisis and needs immediate help, call 911 or go to your local hospital’s emergency room (ER).

• If it is unsafe for you to take your child to the ER, call 911 to assist you. Let the call taker know this is a "child/youth mental health emergency." 

These are a few examples of times when you should seek immediate help:

If your child is…

• Thinking about and has a plan of trying to end their life
• Seeing, hearing or feeling things that aren’t real and/or has beliefs that can’t possibly be true
• Experiencing an alcohol or drug overdose, or has taken a dangerous combination of substances (like medications and alcohol) 
• Demonstrating behaviour that is putting them or others at risk of immediate serious harm 

If your child is thinking about ending their own life, or needs someone to talk to about suicidal thoughts or ideas:

• Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) for the BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line. Available in over 140 languages using a language service.
• Call 1-800-588-8717 for the BC KUU-US Indigenous Crisis and Support Line.  
• Call or text 988 for the National Suicide Crisis Helpline. Available in English and French.

For mental health or substance use crisis support:

• Call 310-6789 for the BC Mental Health Support Line anytime for emotional support, information and resources. Available in over 140 languages using a language service.
• Youth In BC Chat is a free online crisis, suicide prevention, and emotional support service for youth under 25 in BC and Yukon. They offer a safe space where chats remain private and confidential.

If your child doesn’t need immediate help, you can reach out for support by:

• Connecting with a health care professional (no referral needed):
  • Make an appointment with your family doctor or go to a walk-in clinic
  • Access your local Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) intake clinic during their walk-in days and hours (for ages 18 and younger)
  • Check to see if there is a Foundry Centre in your community or get support online offered by Foundry Virtual (for ages 12-24 and their caregivers)
  • Ask about counselling and services offered at your school or community clinic
• Calling a phone line or online chat service that can provide support and suggest where to go for more help.
• You can always contact us at the Kelty Centre for help finding services for your child and to talk to family peer support worker.