Community Resources

You don’t have to face a crisis alone

⚠️ IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER: Call 911 | Go to Emergency | Suicide Hotline (988)

About this resource list: This page provides emergency crisis resources and key local access points for mental health, substance use, and community support in Greater Victoria. For a comprehensive directory, visit BC 211 or call/text 2-1-1.

Important Notice

I am not a crisis or emergency service. If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please:

Call 911
Go to your nearest hospital emergency department
Call the BC Crisis Centre: 1-800-784-2433 (24/7)
Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Helpline, Canada-wide, 24/7)

In extreme situations, I may be able to respond to urgent concerns outside of scheduled sessions, but I cannot guarantee availability. I do not provide 24/7 crisis support.

988 Suicide & Crisis Helpline

Call or text for immediate crisis support, Canada-wide.

Canada Suicide Prevention Service

Professional crisis support by phone or text.

Vancouver Island Crisis Line

Crisis support by phone, text, or online chat for all Vancouver Island communities.

Victoria General Hospital (VGH)

Emergency Department.

Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH)

Emergency Department.

CRCL (Crisis Response, Community Led)

Community-based, non-police crisis response program operating in Victoria region. Operated by AVI Health & Community Services.

Start here if you’re not sure where to go. These are the two most important navigation services for community resources and health information in BC.

BC 211

Information and referral to community services across BC. Helps with basic needs, mental health, legal support, financial assistance, housing, and more.

HealthLink BC

Speak with a health service navigator, registered nurse, dietitian, pharmacist, or qualified exercise professional. Translation in 130+ languages.

Primary access points for publicly funded mental health and substance use services in Greater Victoria.

Victoria CARES

Central Access and Rapid Engagement Services. Single access point for adult mental health and substance use. Same-day walk-in counselling available.

Western Communities (Westshore) MHSU

Serves View Royal, Colwood, Metchosin, Highlands, Sooke, Port Renfrew. Same-day single-session counselling available.

RAAC (Rapid Access Addiction Clinic)

Walk-in services for opioid and alcohol use disorder. Free services.

Citizens Counselling Centre

Affordable, accessible counselling for adult residents. Sliding fee scale based on family income (lowest $10/session).

Foundry Victoria

Free mental health, substance use, primary care, and peer support for youth ages 12-24 and their families. No MSP required.

Kids Help Phone

For people under 20 across Canada. Professional counselling and crisis support.

Island Health Youth & Family Intake

Specialized mental health support. Self-referral accepted for Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) and Discovery Youth Substance Use.

Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC)

Indigenous-led health, counselling, and wellness services. Includes mental health support and housing programs.

Kuu-us Crisis Line

BC-wide Indigenous crisis line with separate lines for adults and youth.

Hope for Wellness Helpline

For all Indigenous peoples across Canada experiencing distress.

Burn Bright Counselling

Specialized counselling practice in Victoria. Affordable Binder Program, DBT groups. Sliding scale available.

Trans Lifeline

Peer support line run by and for trans people. NOT a 24/7 crisis service.

BC Seniors' Distress Line

Crisis responder for older adults or anyone concerned about an older adult.

Island Health Caregiver Support

Counselling and support groups for family caregivers. Virtual delivery available.

Victoria Women's Transition House

Safe emergency shelter for women, non-binary and two-spirit people fleeing violence. Crisis line, safety planning, and second stage housing.

VictimLink BC

For victims of crime, including domestic and sexual violence. Confidential, multilingual support.

For comprehensive housing navigation, dial or text 2-1-1.

Mustard Seed Food Bank

Largest food bank in Greater Victoria. Market-style grocery experience. No shame, guilt, or fear.

Our Place Society

Community centre for working poor, homeless, and vulnerable. Meals, showers, healthcare, transitional housing.

Community Living BC (CLBC)

Supports adults 19+ with developmental disabilities, ASD, and FASD. Residential support, home share, and community inclusion.

WorkBC Victoria

Job search resources, training, wage subsidies. Free access to computers and phones.

The Law Centre (UVic)

Free legal representation for low-income residents (criminal, family, human rights, civil).

Legal Aid BC - Family Law Centre

Free legal representation and advocacy for survivors of family violence. Victoria location available.

If you are experiencing increased distress but are not in immediate danger, you can:

Contact me to schedule an additional session Phone: 250-556-4623 Email: sean@introspectuscounselling.ca
Ask about short-term check-ins to help you get through a difficult period
Discuss whether adjustments to your current treatment plan might be helpful

If you are unsure whether to contact me or the crisis resources above, err on the side of safety and use a 24/7 crisis line.

If you are feeling unsafe but not in immediate danger, a safety plan can help you stay grounded.

You are welcome to bring any safety plan you have started into our sessions so we can review and personalize it together.

Important Disclosures

This list is not exhaustive; services change over time and there may be additional resources that are a better fit for your specific cultural, linguistic, or personal needs.
If you have specific needs or are unsure which service to contact, you can discuss this with me during session and I will do my best to provide additional referrals.
I am required to break confidentiality if I believe you are at imminent risk of harming yourself or others, or if there is a significant risk of harm to a child or vulnerable person.

Encouragement & Next Steps

If you are struggling, reach out; we can talk about additional support options and what feeling safer might look like for you.
Consider saving the most relevant numbers from this page in your phone now so they are easier to access if you need them quickly in the future.
You do not have to go through a crisis alone; support is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.