Nanaimo

Adult mental health and substance use services are available at no cost for individuals aged 19+ years old who reside in the Comox Valley (including Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, and Denman & Hornby Islands). The team assists patients with navigation and referrals to other programs, provides screening and assessments, and connections to additional mental health and substance use services such as counselling, outreach teams, treatment and recovery. The first step to access these services is to complete the single session walk-in or phone service (SSWIS) in order to gain access to a range of Outpatient services (please see list below).

Services Provided:

1. The Single Session Walk-In Service (SSWIS) provides timely drop-in, walk-in, and phone-in support for in-the-moment Mental Health and Substance Use-related issues that are non-crisis related - no appointment required. Services include mental health assessments, and connection with other mental health and substance use teams, all at no cost. There is no limit to accessing SSWIS, although each session is 40 minutes in length, with the opportunity to attend various programs/groups.
• Runs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 AM - 2:15 PM, and on Wednesdays from 9:00 AM - 11:15 AM (no PM sessions on Wednesdays).


2. Substance Use Drop-in Appointments are with substance use counsellors, for those requiring support to treat or manage substance use issues, at no cost. SU counsellors provide information on decreasing or changing Substance Use habits; access to recovery groups; support for families and friends who know someone struggling with substance use; and service navigation including information and access to Withdrawal Management.
• Appointments are available same-day on a first come, first served basis. Please attend in person the day of to book an available appointment - registration opens at 12:00 PM.
• Service runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays with available appointments at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM (not including statutory holidays).


3. Mental Health and Substance Use groups operate on a rotating schedule, presenting a skill in each group, and participants may attend as many times as preferred - all topics are standalone and repeat throughout the year. These groups are designed to be inclusive of all types of recovery, including those affected by mental illness.
   • Groups are offered in person Monday through Friday; please call or go in to request a schedule. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete registration as late entry is not permitted.
   • Virtual Group on Wednesdays from 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM on a continuous 10-week cycle with 10 topics with complete freedom to join at any point, and repeat as often as needed (participants can sign on via Zoom at 10:25 AM - does not allow people to join late).

How to Access Services:

• Start the self-referral process or learn more and obtain a schedule by walking-in or calling (250-331-8524)
• All walk-in services, including all groups, have a registration process so please attend each session early.
• Walk-in programs are at no cost, and open to the public

Crisis and Emergency Services: The Community Response Team provides urgent response for adults who may be suicidal or in a psychiatric crisis through the 24-Hour Vancouver Island Crisis Line 1-888-494-3888.

Find additional information, resources and tools to support your well-being on the Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use Resources page.