Access to mental health services in Richmond is now just one phone call away.
As of Monday (Oct. 7), Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is offering a single number – 604-204-1111 – to access information and to connect with all mental health services in Richmond.
This service will allow easier access to services and to the right service when clients need them.
“When families are in crisis, navigating the health care system and finding the right supports can be a barrier,” said Karen Barclay, director for mental health and substance use with VCH.
She added that the one phone number will “take away confusion and frustration people often experience when they need specialized community services, but don’t know where to turn.”
The one number can be used by all ages including children, youth and seniors with an option of translation services when needed.
Barclay told the Richmond News that clients who phone in will be prompted to select an option based on their age group before they are transferred to someone who can help answer questions and begin the service-matching process.
“Richmond is (also) one of the first communities chosen by the Ministry of Health to create a specialized community service program, which is a hub for mental health and substance use delivery,” said Barclay.
VCH eliminated their separate referral and intake processes for each of the mental health and substance use services, which was confusing for people who didn’t know which one was appropriate for them – creating unnecessary delays and hardships during a crisis.
Mary Carter, a worker with the Richmond Mental Health Consumer and Friends’ Society, said that “time is of the essence when a person is really ill” and she thinks the new phone number will help people find exactly where they need to go.
The goal of the new central phone number is to get rid of confusion and frustration for families when connecting with the right service provider.
For more information visit VCH.ca/RichmondMentalHealth or call 604-204-1111
