About this Service
The First Nations Virtual Substance Use and Psychiatry Service provides individuals with access to specialists in addictions medicine and psychiatry as well as mental health and allied health care professionals.
This is a referral-based service and is available at no cost to all First Nations people and their families living in BC.
Specialists and allied health care professionals are dedicated to the principles and practices of cultural safety and humility, and to delivering trauma-informed care.
Service Hours
- Substance Use and Addictions Medicine: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Psychiatry: Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Service Pathways
The service provides clients with pathways to accessing services:
Addictions Medicine Pathway
- harm reduction support
- relapse prevention planning
- education about treatment centres and referrals if possible.
- treatment care planning with client
Psychiatry Pathway
- diagnosis support
- medication review
- treatment care planning with client
Referrals
The service welcomes referrals from trusted health and wellness providers, Knowledge Keepers and Elders.
Referring providers include general practitioners, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, addictions workers, wellness workers, Traditional Medicine specialists, mental health counsellors, community health reps, treatment centre staff, the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day service and mental health counsellors registered with First Nations Health Benefits.
If a client is looking for mental health and substance use virtual services but is not attached to any of the service providers listed above, they can utilize the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day service to speak to a doctor about their mental health care needs and receive a referral based on the virtual doctor’s assessment.
Health and wellness providers are welcome to call the service for consultation if they need additional support or knowledge to attend to the needs of complex clients.
- Clients: To get a referral to this service, please contact your health and wellness provider or (the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day)
- Health and wellness providers: For assistance or to make a referral, please call 1-833-456-7655
For Health Providers
This service encourages the referring provider or community health support person to attend the specialist appointment with the client. This ensures that local knowledge is available to the specialist for care planning and that there is continued support for the client between appointments.
Promotional Materials
