Mental Health Support
Mental and emotional well-being is an integral part of overall health.
Most people experience times or situations in which their emotional well-being is compromised. In partnership with the Ministry of Child and Family Services and Island Health, mental health support workers/clinicians provide free, confidential services for those who are experiencing difficulties with their emotional health.
Please call to arrange an appointment with one of our team:
Family Counselling
Family counsellors work with families to solve problems, resolve emotional conflicts, promote communication and foster a better functioning home environment.
Alison Stark, Family Enhancement Worker, Salt Spring Community Services, (250) 222-0025
Island Health Adult Short-Term Assessment & Treatment
Short-term mental health counselling for adults. This support is free of charge and available by self-referral or with a referral from a medical professional. Anyone in need of urgent care should dial 911 or take themselves to the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria.
Adrienne Moya, MSW, RCC.
Intake for this program is done through Mental Health and Substance Use services on Salt Spring and is not a direct line for Adrienne Moya. (250) 538-4711
General Mental Health Support:
Our on-island team can offer:
• Intervention for those experiencing a crisis situation affecting their emotional well-being or ability to cope and make decisions.
• Mental health support for those struggling with immediate or longer term emotional or relationship/family difficulties.
• Information about mental or emotional health problems, treatment options or coping strategies, and relevant services and organizations in the community. We can offer health information sessions about various emotional well-being issues to Pender Island community groups as well.
• Referrals to services and health care professionals who can provide further or more specialized help.
Please contact us to make an appointment:
Ulla Rembe: (250) 539-0325
Shellyse Szakacs: (250) 538-8711
Sandi Smoker, MATS, CSCP: 250-539-0905 sandi.smoker@penderislandhealth.org
Emergency Resources
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to get help right away, any time
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline offers support that is:
• bilingual
• trauma-informed
• culturally appropriate
• available to anyone in Canada
Mental Health Support Line (24 hours a day)
Free Emergency and Crisis Mental Health Counsellor
Phone: (250) 310-6789
Vancouver Island Crisis Line (6pm-10pm nightly)
Texting or Online Chat
Text: (250) 800-3806
Chat: www.vicrisis.ca
9-1-1 for an ambulance
Non-emergency support
• Talk to your family doctor as soon as possible to discuss treatment options and other resources.
• For non-urgent medical concerns, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1
• Call the Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-888-494-3888. You don’t have to be in crisis to call for information on local services or if you need someone to talk to.
• BC211 – Dial 2-1-1 to reach an information specialist 24 hours a day.
