Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention Resources
Survivors often face a heightened risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours. This is something to pay attention to as we speak with survivors, and to normalize common response to being sexually assaulted.
Here are some things you can consider, knowing that there’s no one “right” response to suicide:
- Invite the survivor to share what has worked in the past for them.
- Invite the survivor to share what keeps them wanting to live.
- Offer concrete options to the survivor such as:
- Ways to meet their physical, emotional, or spiritual needs e.g., getting food, going for a walk, practicing self-calming strategies like breathing or humming.
- Speaking to a friend, family member, or someone else they trust.
- Talking to their doctor, mental health professional, or spiritual/peer support person.
- Going to the hospital emergency department with them.
- Accessing a crisis or mental health support resource – see below for more information.
- Consider what would feel like a safe crisis response for the survivor. For some folks, 911 or the emergency department can be systems that cause harm or have caused harm to them.
- Prioritize informed consent. If you are calling 911 for a survivor, explain to them why you are making the call and include them as much as possible.
- Don’t assume that one method of healing is better than others. (Kaufman-Mthimkhulu, 2022).
Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) for help 24/7 or click here for more information.
Crisis and Mental Health Support Options for Survivors
Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre has a 24-hour crisis and information line – call 1-877-392-7583 or 604-255-6344. Survivors can also access text and online chat support Monday-Friday 9am-1am, Saturdays 9am-5pm, and Sundays 9am-11pm. Click here for online support or text 604-245-2425.
KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides 24/7 crisis support for Indigenous adults, elders, children and youth.
- Adults/Elders – call 250-723-4050.
- Child/Youth -call 250-723-2040.
- Toll free – call 1-800-588-8717.
- Métis Line – call 1-833-MétisBC.
- Text and chat support – text 778-601-8009 or visit this link from 6 pm to 7 am, 7 days a week (KUU-US Crisis Line Society, n.d.).
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society operates the 24/7 Lamathut Crisis Line to support survivors and families across British Columbia – call 1-800-721-0066 (IRSSS, n.d.).
Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support phone service run by trans people for trans and questioning people. Call 1-877-330-6366 10 AM – 6 PM Pacific Time (Trans Lifeline, n.d.).
Youth In BC Chat is a free online crisis, suicide prevention, and emotional support service for youth under 25. Online chat is available here from 12 pm to 1 AM (The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC., n.d.).
Kids Help Phone provides crisis and mental health support 24/7. Text CONNECT to 686868 or call 1-800-668-6868 (Kids Help Phone, n.d.).
BC Seniors’ Distress Line – Call 604-872-1234 to talk with a crisis responder 24/7. This service is also available to anyone who is concerned about an older adult (CMHA, 2023).
VictimLinkBC provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support 24/7 to victims of family and sexual violence. Call or text 1-800-563-0808 or email 211-victimlinkbc@uwbc.ca. VictimLinkBC is also TTY accessible at 604-875-0885 or collect at 7-1-1 (Government of British Columbia, 2023).
BC Crisis Centre Chat is available here from 12 pm to 1 am daily (The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC, n.d.).
BC Mental Health Support Line 310-6789 – (no area code needed). Help is available 24/7 in over 140 languages (The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC., n.d.).
BC Suicide Prevention and Intervention Line 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433. Support is available 24/7 in over 140 languages (The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC, n.d.).
National Suicide Crisis Helpline – call or text 9-8-8 24/7 (9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, n.d.).
