B.C. Government Expands Mental Health Support for Wildfire Evacuees, Easing Anxiety and Hardship
The provincial government of British Columbia is taking significant steps to expand mental health support for thousands of individuals affected by the ongoing wildfires. With the aim of easing anxiety and addressing the hardships faced by evacuees, the government, in collaboration with health authorities and other agencies, is working towards providing vital mental health services.
As part of this effort, disaster psychological support team members have been deployed to reception centres in the Interior region through the Provincial Health Services Authority’s Health Emergency Management BC program. These team members are playing a crucial role by offering psychosocial support in the form of psychological first aid. The approach focuses on holistic community wellness to help reduce emotional distress not only for individuals, but also for families, responders, and entire communities.
Recognizing the specific needs of First Nations evacuees, the First Nations Health Authority staff are actively involved in attending evacuee reception centres. Their primary objective is to assist these individuals in accessing mental wellness counselling services and traditional resources for overall well-being. Additionally, the staff serves as a culturally safe point of contact for bridging the gap to necessary healthcare resources.
For those in need of support, whether First Nations, Métis, or Inuit people, including health-care and front-line care providers in the Interior region, the Aboriginal Mental Wellness Team is available to offer assistance. They can be reached via email at aborginalmentalwellness@interiorhealth.ca.
To further enhance accessibility, the BC Mental Health Support Line offers a free, round-the-clock helpline at 310-6789. This invaluable resource provides aid for individuals seeking assistance with anxiety, depression, emotional support, and other mental health-related concerns. The helpline also offers access to substance-use services, including harm reduction supplies, overdose prevention services, naloxone, treatment options such as opioid agonist treatment, safe supply, and counseling.
Currently, over 15,000 people across the province remain under evacuation orders, while thousands more are on alert, dealing with significant hardship and anxiety. This situation affects not only the evacuees but also the emergency responders. In light of these challenges, the B.C. government’s focus on expanding mental health support demonstrates their commitment to addressing the emotional and psychological well-being of those affected by the wildfires.
The concerted efforts and collaboration between various agencies indicate a united front in mitigating the adverse mental health effects of the ongoing crisis. By providing essential services, resources, and support to those in need, the government is working towards creating a safer and more resilient environment for individuals and communities affected by the wildfires in British Columbia.
