Mental Health & Crisis Support
You are not alone. Help is local, free, and available 24/7.
If you need help right now
Call 9-8-8. No area code. Free. 24/7.
9-8-8 is the federally-funded Suicide Crisis Helpline, Canada-wide, confidential, available by call or text. A trained counsellor will pick up. You do not need to be in imminent danger to call, emotional distress counts. If you’re wondering “am I overreacting,” you’re not. That’s exactly who the line is for.
For non-emergency mental health and substance use support in Silvermere, dial 310-6478 (310-MHSU). It routes you to the nearest Interior Health centre. The rest of this page is for when you want to keep walking the path beyond the first call.
Crisis lines (24/7)
- Life-safety emergency
- 9-1-1
Pick the help that fits right now.
I need someone to talk to now
Call or text 9-8-8. Or call the Regional Crisis Line at 1-888-353-2273. Both are 24/7 and free. You don't have to be in danger to call.
Call 9-8-8I want ongoing local support
Call 310-MHSU (310-6478) on any phone, no area code. It routes to the Silvermere Mental Health & Substance Use centre at 707 10th Street.
Call 310-MHSUI need a family doctor first
If you don't have a family doctor, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (24/7) to find one, or speak to a registered nurse about your concerns. HealthLink BC also has free nurse triage for mental-health symptoms.
Call 8-1-1I'm worried about someone else
If you believe someone is in imminent danger, call 9-1-1. For non-urgent concerns, call 310-MHSU on their behalf or help them connect, it's often easier when someone dials with you.
How to help someone in crisis
Silvermere Mental Health & Substance Use centre
West Highlands Health operates a community Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU) centre in Silvermere for ongoing assessment, counselling, case management, and substance-use programs.
- Location: 707 10th Street, Silvermere, BC V0X 2H7
- Phone: 250-555-0100 or 250-555-0100
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.)
- Access line: 310-MHSU (310-6478) any time
CMHA Highlands
The Canadian Mental Health Association, Highlands branch offers peer support, affordable housing programs, wellness programs, and community outreach across the region, including Silvermere.
Regional Crisis Line Network
For 24/7 emotional support by phone, chat, or text, the Regional Crisis Line Network is 1-888-353-2273. Trained responders offer crisis de-escalation, intervention, and ongoing emotional support. Available in multiple languages.
Specialized supports
Youth and young adults
- Kids Help Phone , call or text 1-800-668-6868, or text 686868. 24/7, free, confidential, ages 5 to 29.
- Foundry BC , foundrybc.ca has virtual counselling for youth ages 12 to 24 anywhere in BC.
Veterans, RCMP, and their families
The VAC Assistance Service is free, confidential, and 24/7: call 1-800-268-7708. You don't need to be a VAC client. See the Veterans in Silvermere page for the full picture.
Indigenous people
- KUU-US Crisis Line , 24/7 Indigenous-led crisis support: 1-800-588-8717
- Hope for Wellness Helpline , 1-855-242-3310. 24/7 counselling for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in English, French, Cree, Ojibwe, and Inuktitut.
- Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419. 24/7 for former students, their families, and those affected.
Substance use
- 310-MHSU handles both mental health and substance use referrals locally.
- Alcoholics Anonymous, BC/Yukon: bcyukonaa.org
- BC Harm Reduction Services: naloxone kits are free and available at most pharmacies and West Highlands Health offices without a prescription.
- Overdose prevention: in BC, call 9-1-1 for an overdose. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects you from simple possession charges when you call for help.
LGBTQ2S+
- Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366 (Canada)
- Kids Help Phone also has LGBTQ2S+ specific text support at 686868 (text PRIDE).
Tip
You can bring someone with you
Community programs and peer support
- Silvermere Hospice Society free grief and bereavement support, including the “Living with Loss” walking program. 250-555-0100.
- Foundry BC (virtual) , primary care, mental-health counselling, and peer support for youth ages 12 to 24, online province-wide.
- Bounce Back BC , free skills-based coaching for adults with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, stress, or worry. bouncebackbc.ca.
- Wellness Together Canada , free online mental-health support and counselling: wellnesstogether.ca.
Signs it's time to reach out
You don't need to be in crisis to call a mental health line. Any of these are a legitimate reason to pick up the phone:
- Persistent sadness, anxiety, or emptiness
- Sleep changes (too much, too little, broken)
- Appetite changes or weight loss/gain
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities you used to enjoy
- Trouble concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
- Feeling hopeless, worthless, or like you're a burden
- Increasing alcohol or substance use to cope
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide (please call 9-8-8 immediately)
Heads up
If you're thinking about suicide
Common questions
What's the difference between 9-8-8 and 310-MHSU?
Do I need a doctor's referral to access MHSU services?
Is it free?
I don't have a family doctor. How do I find one?
Where do I get a naloxone kit?
Can I text instead of calling?
What if I'm worried about a friend?
Are services confidential?
Do crisis lines work with hearing loss?
What about mental health for new parents?
What to do next
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
24/7 call or text. Free. Canada-wide.
Regional Crisis Line
24/7 phone, chat, or text.
Silvermere MHSU Centre
707 10th Street. Ongoing support and counselling.
Veterans, RCMP & families
VAC Assistance Service 24/7 and full veteran resources.
Bereavement Support
Silvermere Hospice Society and grief counselling.
CMHA Highlands
Programs, housing, peer support across the region.
Still need help?
Talk to Silvermere Mental Health & Substance Use (West Highlands Health)
- Phone
- 250-555-0100
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
- In person
- 707 10th Street, Silvermere, BC V0X 2H7. In crisis: call or text 9-8-8 any time.
Faster than calling for non-urgent issues. We respond within one business day.
Mental-health information verified against West Highlands Health, Canadian Mental Health Association Highlands, the Interior Crisis Line Network, HealthLink BC, Veterans Affairs Canada, and the Government of Canada. Phone numbers and programs may change; confirm with each organization.