In order to recover and restore a sense of safety, people need timely, accessible, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate support.
This section focuses on crisis support services for victims and witnesses of racial incidents, including general mental health, wellness, and healing services and supports as well as resources for self and community care
Victim Services programs provide victims of crimes or traumatic events with support, assistance, information, and referrals to community resources. They are connected to law enforcement agencies, and can assist victims with navigating the criminal justice process, the Crime Victim Assistance Program, Victim Impact Statements, and more.
Please note you can call them directly for support and community referrals without reporting an incident or crime to the police.
Racist Incident Helpline 1-833-HLP-LINE (1-833-457-5463)
The Racist Incident Helpline is a trauma-informed resource for people who have experienced or witnessed an act of racism. The helpline provides free and confidential access to information and culturally safe supports from anywhere in BC, in over 240 languages.
Open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (PT). Callers can let their call taker know their preferred language and an interpreter will be connected into the call.
Calls are answered by professionals, who can:
• listen to the caller’s experience,
• provide information about local support services,
• direct the caller on next steps based on their comfort level, and
• with consent, refer the caller to the services that best match their needs.
Launched in May 2024 by the Government of British Columbia in partnership with United Way BC, the Racist Incident Helpline is a vital tool to help us build more caring and inclusive communities that are safe and welcoming for all.
BC-wide and after-hour’s assistance for victims of Crime, available in over 30 languages.
Phone: 1-800-563-0808
PACT is a new community service that pairs a mental health professional and a peer worker to provide traumainformed, culturally safe mental health crisis and distress support on the North Shore.
They can support people experiencing adverse impacts of racism and hate, whether someone is in crisis after experiencing a traumatizing event or is in general distress (eg depressed or anxious due to the ongoing impacts of racism and xenophobia). This service also offers an alternative to calling police for mental health checks, which may be especially important for members of racialized communities.
Those who experience distress following witnessing or being victim to a racist incident, can call the Crisis Centre for mental health support. Available 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, in over 140 languages using a language service.
Phone: 310-6789 (no area code needed)
If you are suicidal or know someone who is call:
1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
Online Chat Service for Adults: CrisisCentreChat.ca (Noon to 1 am)
Online Chat Service for Youth: YouthInBC.com (Noon to 1 am)
A toll-free, national helpline available to Black youth to support their health, mental wellbeing, education, and communities.
Phone: 1-833-294-8650
Led by trained volunteers, these help lines provide Korean, Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking callers with confidential emotional support and referrals to community resources that can support them to address a wide range of life issues. Available seven days per week from 10 am to 10 pm.
Cantonese Line: 604-270-8233
Mandarin Line: 604-270-8222
Korean Line: 1 (888)-721-0596 / Ext. 3
The YAV Line is a province-wide, 24/7, multilingual resource that provides confidential assistance to young people affected by youth violence or crime. Youth who are worried about their safety, or who want to anonymously report a crime or violent incident – before or after it has occurred. Parents, teachers, or service providers concerned about the well-being of a young person, can also call for assistance and information.
Phone: 1-800-680- 4264
Support or information regarding gender-based violence, offers an intersectional approach to gender based violence for cis woman, non-binary/trans or 2spirit people of colour.
Phone: 604-255-6344 | 1-877- 392-7583
Available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their Residential school experience
Phone: 1-800-721-0066
A First Nations and Indigenous specific crisis line available 24/7, tollfree from anywhere in British Columbia.
Phone: 1-800-KUU-US17 (1-800-588-8717)
Can also call Adult/Elder Line: 250-723-4050 or
Child/Youth Line: 250-723-2040
Phone: 1-833-MétisBC (1-833- 638-4722)
Phone: 1-877-209- 1266
Search for RCCs (Registered Clinical Counsellors) in BC filtered by city, areas of practice, language, and more (includes options for accessibility, gender identity, and BIPOC options).
Phone: Toll Free in Canada +1 (800) 909-6303
Email: [email protected]
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians.
Phone: (604) 987-6959
Email: [email protected]
A Vancouver-based, crossCanada directory of BIPOC therapists who are committed to supporting the healing and liberation of BIPOC folks in all their many intersections.
Email: healingincolour.com/contact
Includes general counselling as well as support services for families and caregivers for children 0-6; seniors and caregivers; LGBTQ2S+ youth age 16-24 and parents of folks from the LGBTQ2S+ community; gender-based violence and trauma support, and disordered eating support. Counselling services are offered on a sliding fee scale based on income.
Phone: (604) 988-5281
Email: [email protected]
Information on wellness program and services for Indigenous peoples across BC, including Mental Wellness and Counselling Program; Indian Day Schools Health Support Services; Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program, and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Health Support Services.
Phone: 1-800-317-7878 (Toll Free)
A women’s drop-in resource centre that offers a variety of programs and services, including their Health and Wellness Program, Family Law Clinic, support groups, and more.
Phone: (604) 984-6009
Email: [email protected]
Provides settlement services that can help victims navigate community, crises and mental health resources.
Phone: 604-988-2931
Email: [email protected]
A chapter from Cultural Competence and Spirituality in Community Building that encourages and supports healing from internalized oppression.
by Resmaa Menakem—A workbook for healing from racial trauma locked in the body
from Therapy for Black Girls.
for people of color after emotional and psychological trauma.
