The Vancouver Local Action Team (LAT) was part of the provincial Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use (CYMHSU) Collaborative. Since the conclusion of this provincial initiative, the individuals and organizations involved in the Vancouver LAT have continued to work together. Our purpose is to support children, youth, and their families seeking and receiving timely access to local mental health and substance use resources. We believe that mental health is just as important as physical health.
Active member organizations include the Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Parks and Recreation, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver Division of Family Practice, YWCA Metro Vancouver, Pacific Community Resources, Family Services of Greater Vancouver, Pacific Autism Network, and the Crisis Centre of BC. For more information about the Vancouver LAT and the Vancouver Division’s involvement. Each member is showcased via video below.
The guide was first compiled by the Vancouver LAT in 2017 and was fully revised in December 2021.
Access an additional online directory of resources here.
Promote the directory in your clinic space with these posters available for download and print.
- Poster 1: Colour or Black and White
- Poster 2: Colour or Black and White
Vancouver Child and Youth Mental Health Resources
Vancouver LAT Resource Directory
WHO: Youth of any age (12-18)
WHAT: An online guide intended as a starting point for youth for support in mental health, medical services, sexual abuse, counselling, and places to go.
WHERE: Online
Referrals: N/A
Intended to be simple in design, this online directory is a starting point for youth on where to go for help. Services and resources are categorized by topic, with key resources listed for each. Each topic is meant to act as key access point rather than an exhaustive list of each resource:
- Sexual abuse supports
- Mental health supports
- Medical services
- Counselling
- Chat options
- Programs and places to go
(604) 806-9415
icymhp@providencehealth.bc.ca
WHO: Youth 12-24
WHAT: A place to access mental health care, substance use services, youth and family peer support, and social services, all under one roof. Primary care team available by phone.
WHERE: 1260 Granville, Vancouver
Referrals: Self, professional, or family referrals welcome: certain criteria apply to some programs. See below for more information.
Youth should expect wrap-around care that is gender-affirming and trauma-informed in a youth-friendly environment.
- Website provides tools, articles, and stories
- App allows youth to book appointments, get resources
- Virtual services include drop-in counselling, peer supports, and groups for youth and families
Granville specifically:
- Primary care: limited drop-in: 1-5pm
- Episodic care: drop-in, no expectation of ongoing care (ie sexual health)
- Longitudinal care*
- Psych consults*
- Intensive case management*
- Substance use: OAT, drug checking
- Counselling: brief, solution-based (drop-in: 1 session)
- Youth programming: groups, cooking, field trip, youth advisory committee, peer support
*certain criteria apply
<a href="http://www.phsa.ca/transcarebc/"
(866) 999-1514
transcareteam@phsa.ca
WHO: Trans and gender-diverse people of Vancouver
WHAT: A small team of health navigators who work with care providers, clients, and their families to navigate the healthcare system and connect with gender-affirming care.
WHERE: Online self-referral
TransCare BC provides supports and client navigation of resources. Although it is not a clinic, it is a small team of health navigators who work with care providers, clients, and their families to access information, resources, navigate the healthcare system and connect with gender-affirming care providers. Some limited, brief, direct client care includes surgical readiness assessment and aftercare linkage (i.e., if you’re travelling for surgery). They keep an inventory of providers and pathways. The #1 referral request is to primary care providers able to provide care to trans patients.
Youth and Family Support | Pacific Community Resources Society (pcrs.ca)
(604) 709-5720
WHO: Youth aged 13-24
WHAT: The BYRC is a one-stop youth centre that provides a wide range of social, health, education, employment, and life skills services to youth
WHERE: 2455 Fraser, Vancouver
Referrals: Self, professional, family: in person or by email
Self-referral can take place either in person or by email. NP available for drop-in visits once a week, and staff can provide referrals to other programming for substance use, housing, and Indigenous victim services. An alternative school is also on site (certain criteria applies). A fresh food kit is offered weekly along with a staple pantry that is accessible Monday to Friday.
Youth can expect a warm, inviting welcome and access to a youth worker if needed, along with food, programming, access to computers, and a nonjudgmental space.
Daily programming includes:
- Substance use support
- Mental health support
- Self-care
- Art therapy
- Life skills
Mental Health Support Line (24/7): 310-6789
Suicide Support Line (24/7): 1-800-SUICIDE
Youth in BC: (12pm-1am Daily): https://youthinbc.com
WHO: Anyone needing crisis support, suicide prevention, and postvention
WHAT: Immediate access to barrier-free support through 24/7 phone lines and online services
WHERE: Phone, online chat
Referrals: N/A
The Crisis Centre of BC provides help and hope to individuals, organizations, and communities. Services span the spectrum of crisis support, suicide prevention, and postvention. Youth can expect immediate access to barrier-free support through 24/7 phone lines and online services. The Centre also provides education, training, and support programs that promote mental wellness and community capacity Referrals and self-referrals are available to anyone regardless of age. Collaborative, client-centered care.
Youth substance use services - Vancouver Coastal Health (vch.ca)
(604) 209-3705 (call for referrals or help with referral process)
WHO: Youth aged 13-25 who use substances or alcohol and want support
WHAT: Trauma-informed, harm reduction approach in addressing substance use
WHERE: varies- see webpage
Referrals: call (604) 209-3705
The VCH Youth Substance Use Services is for ages 13-25 who use substances or alcohol and want support addressing their substance use, whether that be reducing, modifying, or using safely. Centralized intake is available 7 days a week. 4 NPs are on staff to offer primary care as well as substance use support (e.g., OAT). The focus is trauma-informed with a harm reduction approach, friendly staff, and non-judgmental attitude. Food is a big part of what they do and is always available. Services offered include:
- Cultural services
- Social work
- Outreach support
- Case management
- Weekly support for substance use goals
- Help with basic needs
- Family work
- Connection to services
- Referrals
- Day treatment program
Youth engagement and support | City of Vancouver
WHO: Ages 8-19
WHAT: Low-barrier activities for youth
WHERE: Various locations across the lower Mainland
Referrals: not needed; low/no-barrier access.
Vancouver Parks Youth Programming is open for anyone ages 8-19 at their local community center. Each community center has its own Youth Community Programmer.
A sense of belonging, low-barrier, not just sports: arts, social, dance, games room, ping pong, video games, relationship building. 1-on-1 office meetings available Monday-Friday, F 9-5, no/low cost.
Leisure access program, offers occasional dental/vaccine clinic.
Advocacy Volunteer opportunities: A chance for youth to make a difference in their community. Connected to many other CHY services in this list! Longer hours than many services, open Christmas, and New Year’s. A safe space. Harm reduction supplies available. Condoms available. Help for bus tickets. Menstrual products in all washrooms. Youth should come and expect an easy or nonexistent intake process. Trans celebration. Gender-affirming. Scribing services. Multilingual.
Vancouver School Board (vsb.bc.ca)
WHO: School-aged children and youth enrolled in the VSB.
WHAT: Academic, social, emotional, and career support
WHERE: At schools in the VSB.
Referrals: Can happen by students, teachers, administrators, parents, and guardians.
Find the VSB Student Health Information Sharing Forms here.School counsellors provide services to all school-aged children and youth enrolled in the VSB, their families, and their educators. Referral can happen by students, teachers, administrators, parents and guardians.
Expect continued, consistent, and ongoing academic, social, emotional, and career support from kindergarten through grade 12.
Facilitates referrals within community.
Website: ymca.ca/mental-wellness
Email: YMind@gv.ymca.ca
WHO: 13-18
WHAT: Aims for early intervention to stress/mild-moderate anxiety
WHERE: Various locations
Referral: self and professional both welcome. Email for information.
Approach: ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Anxiety is a part of life, not a problem to get rid of.
Offers tools such as mindfulness to notice a make room for uncomfortable feelings, which allow us to move towards what is important to us, even in the presence of uncomfortable feelings. Ultimately this leads to a more rich and fulfilling life.
Age: 13+ (13-18, 18-30): Mild-moderate anxiety; aim for early intervention and prevention. No diagnosis required. Group setting, main focus on anxiety/stress; 7-week commitment required.
Outcomes: decreased anxiety symptoms, increased wellbeing, improved mindfulness and greater psychological flexibility.
Referral: self, professional both welcome. YMind will reach out with program information.
(604) 633-1472 / (866) 249-6884
WHO: Low-income youth under 25
WHAT: Low-barrier services for youth experiencing homelessness as a result of abuse, neglect, substance use, or mental health challenges
WHERE: 1138 Burrard St., Vancouver
Open program can be referred to and accessed at any time. Criteria is typically: youth under 25; low income; in need of housing; mental/physical disability; but will help anyone in crisis under age 25 and is a safe place.
- 24/7/365 low-barrier service
- Washrooms and showers
- Meals, snacks, pantry program
- Shelter: extra mats for extreme weather
- Harm reduction supplies and information
- Pet room
- SYJA Pre-employment
- Media/arts programming
- Primary care 2x weekly
- 2 Safehouses for ages 16-18
- Youth Detox: (criteria not as low barrier; see presentation/website)
(855) 887-8004
WHO: For families of children, youth, and young adults.
WHAT: An organization that helps young people by helping the adults who care for them
WHERE: see website
Referrals: Refer People - FamilySmart
Families can self-refer: no diagnosis, no waitlist, free. Can refer a family with consent. We help children and young people by helping their family and other caring adults in their lives. We know that when families are supported alongside of their children, youth, and young adults, things go better.
Peer Support Workers are parents who lead with their own lived experience of supporting child, youth, or young adult through the mental health and/or substance use system. Support for all stages of the journey.
- Provides emotional support and mentoring to parents and caregivers
- Connects families to resources and information about services and supports
- Helps with service navigation, what to expect when accessing services
- Can meet by phone, email, video chat.
- Monthly virtual events to share experiences and strategies that help in hard moments
- Focus on strengthening understanding and connection with our kids.
- Free monthly workshops for families with repeated ER visits or inpatient experiences with mental health or substance use
- Topics include safety at home and managing once emerging from crisis