Centralized Access and Rapid Engagement Service CARES - Intake for Island Health Adult Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Addictions / Substance Use and Mental Health - Adult

Provided by Island Health

Provides screening, assessment, treatment recommendations and referrals to Island Health Mental Health, Substance Use and community programs.
CARES provides a single point of access to Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) services for clients, family members, primary care practitioners and other community service providers. The intake team includes professionals with backgrounds in social work, nursing, substance use treatment and psychology, with psychiatrist support to make referral decisions.

Patients can self-refer to access adult Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) services in communities across the Island Health area by completing a free and confidential intake assessment with one of the local Island Health MHSU teams. In some communities, walk-in or phone-in appointments are available on the same day. Please see below for information on your community, or call your local MHSU for more information:
Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU) Navigation Link Phone Number for Clients/Patients: This service link central access phone number will provide help for clients navigating Island Health services for substance use, harm reduction and mental health. People seeking these services can call 1-888-885-8824 to speak directly with a Service Link provider (This is not a line for health professionals to initiate a referral).

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.

Location finder: https://www.islandhealth.ca/our...

Cost: No cost

Referral options:

  • Physician or nurse practitioner referral
  • Self-referral
  • Health professional referral
  • Social worker referral
  • Community service organization referral
Brochures and Info
Associated Programs/Services

Also offered by Island Health:

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Availability

Service area: Island Health Area + show cities

Service area cities: Alert Bay, Bamfield, Black Creek, Brentwood Bay, Campbell River, Cathedral Grove, Chemainus, Cobble Hill, Comox, Coombs, Cortes Island, Courtenay, Cumberland, Deep Bay, Denman Island, Duncan, Fanny Bay, Gabriola Island, Galiano Island, Gold River, Hornby Island, Horne Lake, Kyuquot, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Langford, Lantzville, Long Beach, Mayne Island, Merville, Mill Bay, Nanaimo, Nanoose Bay, Nitinaht, North Saanich, Parksville, Pender Island, Penelakut Island, Port Alberni, Port Alice, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Quadra Island, Qualicum Beach, Quathiaski Cove, Saanich, Saanichton, Salt Spring Island, Saturna Island, Sayward, Shawnigan Lake, Sidney, Sointula, Sooke, Tahsis, Tofino, Ucluelet, and Victoria

Service Types Provided
Addictions / Substance Use
Mental Health - Adult
Ways to Access
  • Provided 1:1 in-person
  • Provided at multiple locations
  • Provided by phone
  • Provided online: email / video / on-line

The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.

Pathways does not provide medical advice. If you have an emergency please call 9-1-1. If you require assistance navigating services please call 8-1-1.

For general inquiries or for assistance, please email us:

community-services@pathwaysbc.ca

If you are requesting clinical access to medical Pathways, please provide the following information via the email above:

  1. First Name
  2. Last Name
  3. Email
  4. In which city/town do you work?
  5. What is your role? E.g. Family Physician, Office Staff, Medical Resident
  6. Employer Name (for office staff)
  7. Office Phone

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