Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU)
Overview
As reported by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in 2021, in any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience mental health concerns or illness. Only 1 out of 5 children who need mental health services receives them.
There have also been specific impacts on addictions and substance misuse. The most visible is the ongoing opioid crisis, particularly in Vancouver where the number of overdose deaths continue to be reported at horrific numbers.
From a 2008 (but still relevant) Canadian Medical Association report, many Canadians (58%) say they would socialize with a friend who has a mental illness. However, when focusing on addictions, the proportion who say they would socialize with a friend who has an alcohol (32%) or drug addiction (26%) is significantly lower. This suggests that the stigma of addictions is significantly greater than that associated with mental illness, which still requires attention.
The Vancouver Division of Family Practice recognizes the importance of supporting patients through mental health, substance misuse and process addictions within primary care.
An important outcome of this work, has been the development of the tiers of service as a working model for clinical Mental Health navigation in Vancouver.
Mental Health Resources
Working with the Committee, the Vancouver Division is prioritizing development of MHSU Resources. Please find the latest Resources in the list below.
Resources coming soon.
- PCN Clinical Counselling
- Contact your CNM for resources and materials for your clinic
- PathwaysBC
- RACE Line
- eCase
- Community services navigation: BC211
- After Hours support: Healthlink/811
- Patient Resource to support finding an appropriate Counsellor– Choosing Therapy
- Patient Mental Health Self Management Resource
- Child & Youth Mental Health Resource Guide
- Mind Space
- Choosing Therapy: find the right support for you
- The difference between Mental Health & Mental Illness
- Patient Mental Health Self Management Resource
- Here to Help: self-care tools and information about mental health and substance use
- Healthlink/811: support when you need it, even if that’s after hours
- BC211:find out what’s in your community from your peers
- Child & Youth Mental Health Resource Guide
- Mind Space
Substance Use
The White Paper on Mental Health and Addictions is comprised of two parts. Through research, focus groups, and surveys from Vancouver Division family physicians, we developed a “current state” description of gaps within the system of mental health supports. In the second section we have suggested the myriad of opportunities to address the challenges with the system of mental health supports. You can find the full report here.
To call the 24/7 Addiction Medicine Clinician Support Line and speak to an Addiction Medicine Specialist, call 778-945-7619.
In case you missed our workshop ‘Clinical Management of Alcohol Use Disorder’ with BC Centre on Substance Abuse and Dr. Olivia Brooks, here is a collection of information and resources covering the following topics:
- Overview of the prevalence of alcohol-related harms
- The epidemiology of alcohol use
- A review of the Canadian low-risk drinking guidelines
- Screening and brief interventions
- Withdrawal management
- Relapse prevention
Mental Health & Addictions Committee
Members of the Vancouver Division have shared that over 50% of their patient panels are affected by mental health and/or substance use challenges. Formed to address this growing need in primary care, the Mental Health & Addictions (MHA) Committee supports dialogue, education, and program development that equip family doctors to provide effective, sustainable care.
The Division’s MHA Committee is made up of a dedicated and passionate group of family doctors who work in tandem with Division staff. To connect with the committee, please reach out to one of the following persons:
MHA Committee Projects
The Vancouver Division of Family Practice offers comprehensive DBT resources and innovative training programs to elevate patient care, support healthcare providers, and improve practice environments.
With funding from Shared Care, we provide capacity-building opportunities through individual and cohort-based learning programs that equip primary care providers with evidence-based tools to effectively manage Affective Instability.
Learn more about the DBT initiative and access educational resources here.
In 2024, the MHA Committee reserved 80 seats for a two-part webinar series on the assessment and treatment of Adult ADHD in primary care, hosted by psychiatrist and nationally recognized ADHD expert Dr. Elisabeth Baerg Hall. The sessions supported family physicians in building confidence around identification, diagnosis, and management—including medication strategies and psychoeducational supports.
To keep the learning going, we’re now highlighting a series of ADHD Case Discussion Lunch & Learns hosted by Dr. Elisabeth Baerg Hall: a chance for providers to bring real-world questions, explore clinical scenarios, and learn together in a supportive, peer-based environment.
The Vancouver Division of Family Practice, in partnership with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) service providers across Vancouver, is working to improve support and care for patients with AUD in primary care settings. Guided by Canada’s Alcohol and Health Guidelines from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), this initiative aims to strengthen case management and social prescribing for AUD, with a long-term goal of reducing pressures on substance use programs in the healthcare system by 2027.
Learn more about this Shared Care project here.
It is hard enough carrying mental health concerns, finding the right kind of therapy shouldn’t be. Choosing Therapy helps individuals seeking private therapy navigate to the right support. It also explains the differences between psychologists, clinical counsellors, and psychiatrists to help patients make informed choices. Listings are sourced through professional associations and shared in partnership with the Vancouver Division of Family Practice.
The FP Collaborators Network prototype tested the feasibility of virtual mental health assessment and treatment planning for Vancouver primary care providers and their patients. From April 2023 to March 2024, four specially trained family physicians with an interest in mental health (the FP Collaborators) were supported to offer 104 virtual clinical sessions to assess and develop treatment plans for patients with mild to moderate mental health concerns, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD, and bipolar disorder.
Referrals were made through the existing IPT system. Of 102 total referrals, 61 patients were assessed. Evaluation findings showed strong uptake, positive feedback from both patients and providers, and broad support for continuing and scaling the model.
For more information about this pilot project, visit here.
Physicians don’t have to navigate challenges alone. Our Peer Support Program offers confidential, 1:1 non-clinical support from trained physician peers who understand the unique stresses of medical practice.
Click here to make a request for peer support for yourself or for a colleague.
Learn more about the program here.
