The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of British Columbia

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

The Crisis Centre of BC is dedicated to realizing our vision of a world where the human experience of suicide and crisis is met with compassion, respect, and understanding. We deliver on our mission—to provide opportunities for connection where people are valued and supported to address crisis and suicide—through a range of comprehensive programs and services. These initiatives reflect our commitment to fostering compassionate, connected, and suicide-safer communities.

"What makes your organization’s work important in Surrey and area?"

"What programs or services do you currently offer?"

DISTRESS SERVICES Our Distress Services program supports vulnerable individuals across British Columbia. We offer 24/7 distress phone lines and text services. Crisis Lines Having thoughts of suicide? Call or text 9-8-8 Experiencing a mental health crisis? Call 310-6789 Services are delivered by highly trained volunteers and paid responders who provide non-judgemental emotional support through risk assessment, collaborative safety planning, and short-term follow-up by phone. We also engage in emergency rescue services as needed. COMMUNITY LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT We work with individuals across the lifespan to support well-being in schools, communities, and organizations. Our programs and services increase awareness about suicide, strengthen crisis intervention skills, facilitate growth and recovery after a suicide experience and provide empowering tools for resiliency. TRAINING & COURSES FOR YOUTH Practical and innovative programs provide a unique opportunity for youth to learn about mental health and gain practical skills for coping. Delivered by staff and volunteers, our youth programs are a vital component of school district mental health education.

"Who benefits from your work?"

The Crisis Centre of BC, as part of the BC Crisis Line Network, has been working with municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government, as well as partner agencies, on several key initiatives aimed at transforming crisis care and suicide intervention across the province and beyond. The BC Crisis Line Network is working toward: Establishing a robust crisis response system designed to handle mental health, addictions, and other complex social issues, focusing on prevention and community-led responses Coordination of crisis care across 9-1-1, BC Ambulance, and Police services with the goal of directing all crisis response to a crisis centre for immediate support, suicide risk assessment, crisis de-escalation, and bridging to follow-up care Provide public access to car programs, health authority crisis response teams, and community-based response programs Advocating with the federal government for the creation of a national suicide prevention framework The Network is actively addressing access to mental health crisis care and suicide intervention across British Columbia. The Network aims to tackle the root causes of the challenges in a system that has not fully reached its potential and contribute to changes in the province’s health, mental health and public safety mandates that lead to lasting change, trauma-informed care, and sustainable, equitable funding.