"The sharing of resources and experiences happens spontaneously during our meetings...resources that can help a parent’s situation at a particular — perhaps critical - point in time"
Resources
One of the most urgent challenges families face when trying to find help for their loved ones and for themselves is to find appropriate resources as quickly as possible. Parents Forever provides up-to-date substance use and mental health resources in two ways:
Our meeting agenda always includes a section on resources
Twice monthly, we update the entire membership with resources, events, announcements, and relevant information.
We endeavour to keep the list of the most sought after resources current and with detailed contact information. The list is updated from time to time as new resources become available.
We welcome suggestions from you regarding additional services as well as those that should be deleted if you discover they have changed or are no longer available.
Note: BC is divided into five Health Authorities. Parents Forever is a Vancouver-based organization and is supported by Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH). Other areas within VCH are Richmond, North Shore, Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Sunshine Coast, Powell River, Central Coast
Crisis and emergency services
Emergency: Call 911 24/7
Suicide Crisis: Call or Text 988 24/7,
CMHA: Lean In and Listen Suicide Prevention Guide
Crisis Lines:
Peer Support Line: Moms Stop the Harm Support Phone Line
Walk-in Services: Please visit your nearest emergency department (except VGH — see below about the AAC).
Mental Health Cars:
Car 87/88 Vancouver (Call AAC or if it is a life-threatening emergency call 911)
MICR: Mobile Integrated Care Response — Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Abbotsford and Chilliwack
CRCL PACT: CRCL Peer Assisted Care Team New Westminster
Non-emergency police assistance:
Vancouver Police — 604-717-3321
Access Central: Detox referral line — 1(866) 658-1221
ACC (Access and Assessment Centre) at Vancouver General Hospital: VCH, but Vancouver City specific, non-life threatening. Learn more
ACT Team (Assertive Community Treatment): Learn more
National Overdose Response Service (NORS):
Community services (non-emergency)
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Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service Substance use | HealthLink BC
Borderline Personality Sashbear
US information, but contains a lot of good information NAMI
Here to Help Vision Journal: March 2024 is specific to families/friends
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John Gracey, Turning Point Recovery Society 236-877-2649 | Email: jgracey@turningpointrecovery.com
Ongoing support, services benefit adults with mental-health issues
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Legal Aid BC Legal Aid BC
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Non-emergency Medical Information: Call 811 or online at Healthlink BC 811
HealthlinkBC Mental Health and Substance Services information par Healthlink BC Mental Health and Substance Services
Health Care Locations | Vancouver Coastal Health
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Fraser Health Page on Mental Health Act (this page has great FAQ information, including information on extended leave)
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General page BC Overdose Naloxone Kit
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General Resources for BC Recovery Services and Treatment Support BC Recovery and Treatment Information
Turning Point (VHC)
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Fraser Health Information | Mental health and substance use family support services and resources (ongoing page with a link on these topics)
Fraser Health Events | Use keywords such as mental health, substance use to direct your search (ongoing page to their free information sessions)
Find Events | Spotlight on Mental Health
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Opinions expressed are their own and not representative of Parents Forever. You may find these interesting (please note that the Involuntary Care news is now separated and in the section below):
Ongoing
Of particular note:
Ted Talks
February 6, 2013 The Space Between Self-Esteem and Self Compassion: Kristin Neff at TEDxCentennialParkWomen
Books/Essays/Poems
July 23, 2019 There really is no natural or right way to be a parent | Aeon Essays
November 5, 2024 Finding My Lost Life by Jeremy Cross
February 7, 2025 Believe Me – My new book about mental health and addiction – Haiku therapy by Isabella Mori
Undated poem Who Cares by Christine Hollywood
Assorted Articles
February 21, 2024 Is it time to abandon the ‘tough love’ approach to addiction? | On Point
April 24, 2025 Many mental health calls don't require cops, program shows - New West Record
June 23, 2025 The Two Lies Killing People in the Toxic Drug Crisis
October 1, 2025 Youth Drug Use in Vancouver | Capilano Courier
October 11, 2025, To solve the Sault’s drug crisis, we must listen to people who’ve survived it
Science/ Therapy
Undated website Binaural Relaxation
May 31, 2025 While a UK article, the same principle applies in Canada. Use credible sources, eg HealthLink BC
More than half of top 100 mental health TikToks contain misinformation, study finds
July 14, 2025 New Study Finds Evidence of Hepatitis C Virus in Cells Lining Human Brain | Johns Hopkins Medicine Schizophrenia/Bipolar
Podcasts/Listening
August 22, 2025 A DTES restaurant owner is calling for a new approach to the neighbhourhood. | On The Coast | On Demand | CBC Listen
August 21, 2025 Vancouver Sun article associated with above Podcast: The Downtown Eastside crisis isn't unsolvable. It's unmanaged | Vancouver Sun
October 19, 2025 He was CEO of Sleep Country — and addicted to crack
October 23, 2025 The dark side of private rehab | Full episode | the fifth estate
October 27, 2025 Give Them 3 Days of Medicine — It Could Save Their Life
Companion video:
October 21, 2025 Learning Moment Episode 251 72 Hours are DC of Hospital with Opiod Disorder
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Opinions expressed are their own and not representative of Parents Forever. You may find these interesting:
Sept 17, 2024 Dr Vigo Scientific adviser says B.C.'s involuntary treatment plan fills service gap
March 12, 2025 New guidance lays out when B.C. doctors can and can’t use involuntary treatment | Globalnews.ca
May 26, 2025 CBC's Matt Galloway Panel on Involuntary Care starts at 21:43
June 4, 2025,Crackdown is run by drug user activist Garth Mullins Episode 54: Get Sober or Get Dead — Crackdown Podcast
July 7, 2025 Does involuntary care work? Three B.C. residents share their stories | Vancouver Sun
September 29, 2025 What is involuntary care? And how does it work in B.C.? | CBC News
September 30, 2025 Secure involuntary care in north will curb stress on hospitals, says psychiatrist - Northern Beat
October 5, 2025 Involuntary Addiction Treatment: What you need to know. | Cross Country Checkup | On Demand | CBC Listen
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Technology for Low Income — Low cost computers for people on Disability
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We are not endorsing or supporting other support groups; we are simply offering the information. Not all groups are for everyone. You may need to try out a few and attend several times to see if they fit!
Al-Anon/Nar-Anon Family Groups
BC Al-Anon
Al-Anon is a mutual support group. It is based on the Twelve Steps of Al-Anon.We can find understanding and support when we share our common experiences with each other. Some of us are here because a spouse or partner has struggled with alcoholism. For others, the problem drinker is a parent, child, or grandchild. Sometimes a brother, a sister, or some other friend or relative brings us to Al-Anon.
The Nar-Anon Family Groups are primarily for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of someone very near to you.
Our program, which is not a religious one but a spiritual way of life, is based on the Twelve Steps of Nar-Anon.
Note: Both Al-Anon and Nar-Anon have MANY in-person groups in all parts of the Lower Mainland. Click My Location to bring up the meetings closest to you.
BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS)
If you’re trying to get help for a loved one with schizophrenia, psychosis or another serious mental illness, the BC Schizophrenia Society can help.
Families Anonymous (FA)
FA is a 12-step fellowship for the family and friends of those individuals with drug, alcohol or related behavioural issues. Contact: Local Group #2116 - FA. Vancouver2019@gmail.com Vancouver meetings are held virtually, every Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00 pm (PT).
Families for Addiction Recovery: Online Parent Support Groups (FAR)
We provide a safe virtual space where those concerned about a loved-one’s substance use can discuss practical strategies, find support, and share resources and information that worked for them. Participation in the Groups is free and no registration is required. This group uses the principles of Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). It is facilitated by a parent with lived experience, who also holds a B.A. in Psychology and an Addiction Care Worker diploma.
Healing Hearts
Healing Hearts Lost A Loved One Support Groups
We Are Parents, Spouses, Siblings and Friends who have all lost a loved one to substance use related harms.
Holding Hope
Supporting a loved one who uses substances or who may be in any stage of the recovery journey. Holding Hope Groups are peer-facilitated support groups, offered at no cost, for Canadian families and individuals whose loved ones use or have used substances.
Holding Hope provides mutual support and healing by coming together to share stories, and resources, and support one another. Our groups provide the reassurance that you are not walking this journey alone. We provide a safe place to build strength and resilience for families who feel overwhelmed in supporting their loved ones.
Note: There is an in-person meeting in the City of Vancouver. Email for information: holdinghopevancouver@gmail.com
For other cities in BC, find a Holding Hope group near you here.
There is also a Virtual Support Group email for info: holdinghopebcvirtual@gmail.com
Parents Together and Parents in the Know
Parents Together Support Groups (AGE 12 to 24 years)
Parents Together is an ongoing education/mutual support group for parents of youth 12 to 24 years of age. Some families attend for weeks and months for on-going support through challenging times.
Pathways Serious Mental Illness Society. Families Helping Families. (PathwaysSSMI)
We are families of loved ones living with a serious mental illness helping other families with this shared experience in British Columbia.The serious mental illnesses of our loved ones include anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, concurrent disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia.
Smart Family and Friends
Struggling with how to help someone with drug addiction, alcohol abuse, or other addictive behaviours? SMART Recovery would like to provide you with the resources you can use to help yourself, as well your loved one.
SMART Recovery Family & Friends is a science-based, secular alternative to Al-Anon and Johnson Intervention. Our method is based on the tools of SMART Recovery and CRAFT (Community Reinforcement Approach & Family Training).
SMART Recovery Family & Friends helps those who are affected by the substance abuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, or other addictions of a loved one.
Note: There is an in-person group at Three Bridges Community Health Centre, Downtown Vancouver.
The Family Support and Involvement Program (VCH)
Family Support and Involvement VCH
Provides education and support to families involved in the care of family members with mental illness and or addiction. Services include mental wellness information and educational materials, counselling, and help with addressing issues and concerns. Must be in Vancouver.
Program also offers the Family Connections Support Group where family members can share experiences and support each other. Group runs twice a month.
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