Emergency and After-Hours Support

If You Have an Emergency

  • Dial 911 (Ambulance, Fire, Police) and call VIU Campus Security: 250.740.6600 (Local 6600)
  • Support is available through Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1.888.494.3888

Speak to someone outside our regular business hours or for emergencies

  • Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1.888.494.3888 (24/7)
    • Crisis Chat VI Crisis, and text (250.800.3806) 6 - 10pm PST, 7 days a week
      Please note that, due to a staff shortage, Crisis Chat and Crisis Text services may not be available.
  • 9.8.8 - Suicide Crisis Helpline.  Phone or text support to people in every province and territory 24/7 and 365 days a year through the Government of Canada mental health support.
  • Suicide Phone line in BC (24/7) at 1.800.784.2433
  • Youth in BC - (youthinbc.com) chat for youth from noon - 1am PST
  • Crisis Centre Chat - (crisiscentrechat.ca) chat for adults from noon - 1am PST
  • Metis Crisis line 24/7 - 1.833.638.4722 and many other resources
  • Kuu-us Aboriginal Crisis Line (24/7) for Adults/Elders at 250.723.4050, for Child/Youth 250.723.2040, or Toll Free Line 1.800.588.8717
  • Here2Talk (24/7) 1.877.857.3397 (here2talk.ca) offers post-secondary students free and confidential counselling and referral services by app, phone or online chat (works best in Google Chrome web browser). 
  • First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline and Chat (24/7) 1.855.242.3310, culturally competent counsellors, services in English, French, Ojibway, Cree and Inuktitut
  • Crisis Services Canada - Suicide prevention and support (24/7) 1.833.456.4566, text (4546) and chat from 2 - 10pm PST
  • Brooks Landing Walk-in Counselling Clinic (for Mental Health and Addictions) M-F 10am - 6:15 pm; 203-2000 Island Highway North, 250.739.5710
  • Haven Society for women who have been sexually assaulted or in situations of domestic violence (24/7) crisis line at 1.888.756.0616
  • Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital provides specialized mental health and addiction services for acute and critical situations
  • Virtual Mental Health Supports in BC - resources for everyone
  • 2-1-1 BC Services by United Way BC offers email, text and live chat with a 2-1-1 Navigator to help you find the services you need in BC.  Visit bc.211.ca for more information.

You are not alone.