Island Health has unveiled a new phone line that connects people with mental health and substance-use services.
The Mental Health and Substance Use Service Link allows people to connect with information, resources and services in their communities.
People calling the service, which is available seven days a week, will speak directly with a call taker. The service is meant to help callers navigate the system — call takers are not trained to provide emotional support or crisis intervention.
The service will help people connect to the right resources, including harm reduction services, drug-poisoning prevention, addiction medicine, withdrawal management and treatment and recovery services.
The Mental Health and Substance Use Service Link is at 1-888-885-8824.
People experiencing a mental health or substance-use crisis are asked to call the Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-888-494-3888.
