Crisis & Help Info


Need Help Coping?
Or Simply Keeping Body and Soul Together?
Find The Help You Need Here

If you or someone you know needs help coping with the stresses and challenges of life and need more than a friend that listens, you should be able to find the help you need here.

You will find help with crisis intervention, alcohol and drug issues, mental and physical abuse issues, agencies that provide food, shelter or  clothing.

Whatever the need, and however severe you should be able to find the help you need listed here. If you know of a helpful agency that is not listed here, please send their contact information along so they can be added.
LIFE ---- WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

Providing 24 Hr. Crisis Line Support

RESOURCES FOR NANAIMO

NOTE: If you feel you are in need of social assistance (welfare) the only way to make your first contact with your local office is through the ENQUIRY BC phone number. They will transfer your call, but there is no local phone number for you to contact the Social Development office directly. Your first call MUST go through the ENQUIRY BC phone number.

ENQUIRY BC 1-800-663-7867
Enquiry BC can assist you in contacting the program, service or person that you need to speak to from 7:30 am - 5:00 pm Mon. - Fri.


Mental Health and Crisis Counseling Clinic (CCC) 250-739-5710
203-2000 Island Hwy, North (Brooks Landing)
Mental Health Mon. - Fri. 8:30am - 4:30 pm
CCC Mon. - Fri. 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Alcohol & Drug Problems 250-739-5880
3151 Barons Road
Mon. - Fri. 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Discovery Youth and Family Addiction Services     250-739-5790
Provides counselling for youth who are experiencing difficulties related to their own or another person's substance use.
Mon. - Fri. 8:30 am - 5:00 pm #206 - 96 Cavan Street Nanaimo

Nanaimo Youth Services Association   250-754-1989
"It is the intent of Nanaimo Youth Services Association to empower youth to become productive citizens of our community. We will listen, encourage, and build self-esteem and confidence. Through respectful relationships and programs, we will enable youth to achieve a positive self image and to reach their fullest potential. It is with this intent that we continue to provide services to connect and empower youth."
Mon. - fri. 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Visit their website by clicking here.


Clearview Detox 250-739-5859
Mon. - Fri. 8:30 am 4:30 pm (May have to leave a message)

Child & Youth Mental Health (MCFD) Mon. - Fri. 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
General 202-488 Albert Street 250-741-5444
Aboriginal 101-488 Albert Street 250-741-3600

Snuneymuxw First Nation
668 Centre Street, Nanaimo 250-740-2300
Visit their website by clicking here.



Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre
Administration 774B Centre St. Nanaimo 250-753-4417
Education Centre 927 Haliburton St. Nanaimo 250-8291
Health Centre Building 602 Haliburton St. Nanaimo 250-753-6578
Visit their website by clicking here.

Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society
Immigrant Welcome Centre
Main Floor, 285 Prideaux St. Nanaimo 250-753-6911
Visit their website by clicking here.

Ministry of Children and Family Development 250-741-5444
Mon. - fri. 8:30 am - 4:30 pm 202-488 Albert Street
After hours call 1-800-663-9122 , To report abuse / neglect call: 310-1234

RCMP Non-emergency 250-754-2345

Victim Services 250-755-3146

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital 250-755-7691
1200 Dufferin Cresent. Nanaimo     Toll free from Parksville call 250-947-8214

Haven Society 
250-756-2452 or 250-756-0616 (24/7)
Provides services to women, children, youth and families who have experienced violence. 

Samaritan House 250-753-1474
355 Nicol Street

Salvation Army 250-754-2621    New Hope Center 250-714-1142
19 Nicol Street Nanaimo

Loaves & Fishes Food Bank 250-754-8347
Mon. 5:00 pm - 7:00pm / Thurs. 1:00 - 3:00 pm 1009 Farquar St.
Tues. 1:00 - 3:00pm Brechin United Church 1998 Estevan Rd.
Must have identification to register

7 - 10 Club 250-714-0917
285 Prideaux Street
Mon. - Fri. 7:00am - 10:00am Free hot breakfast & bagged lunch.

Nanaimo Men's Resource Centre 250-716-1551
Offering support and referrals to men in the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual dimensions of thier lives.
Visit their website by clicking here.

Nanaimo Women's Resource Society 250-753-0633
The Women’s Centre is a vibrant, supportive space offering women resources, information, workshops and events on various issues including: abuse, education, poverty, housing, self-esteem, health and many other issues.
Open Tues. - Fri. 10:00 am - 3:00 pm 285 Selby Street.
Visit their website by clicking here.

Nanaimo Family Life    250-754-3331
1070 Townsite Rd.  Mon. - Thurs. 8:30am - 4:30 pm
“Nanaimo Family life Association is a central resource that provides accessible family services through skilled professionals and highly trained volunteers. We offer programs, counselling, peer counselling, support groups and a variety of workshops for teens 14 plus, adults, couples and seniors as we believe that healthy family life and healthy relationships are the heart of a strong resilient community. We respect diversity, are inclusive, and practice compassion in all our activities and relationships.” Visit their website by clicking here to see services offered.

Nanaimo Citizen's Advocacy Association    250-753-2486
Provides public legal education, comprehensive assistance with the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance appeals and tribunals, and residential tenancy arbitration's.
Mon. - Fri. 9:00 am - 4:00 pm #110 - 55 Victoria Rd.

Nanaimo and Area Resource Services for Families    250-754-2773
201-170 Wallace Street
Mon. - Fri. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Hospice Society 250-758-8857
1728 Boundary Ave.
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

The Balmoral 250-739-5830
Outreach Centre providing assistance primarily to the homeless. This is not associated with the housing unit at the same address.
126 Haliburton Street Mon. - Fri. 9:30am - 4:30 pm



RESOURCES For ALL Communities

NOTE: If you feel you are in need of social assistance (welfare) the only way to make your first contact with your local office is through the ENQUIRY BC phone number. They will transfer your call, but there is no local phone number for you to contact the Social Development office directly. Your call MUST go through the ENQUIRY BC phone number first.

ENQUIRY BC 1-800-663-7867
Enquiry BC can assist you in contacting the program, service or person that you need to speak to from 7:30 am - 5:00 pm Mon. - Fri.


After Hours Emergency Financial Helpline (BC)
Mon. - Fri. 4:30 pm - 12:30 am Sat.&Sun. 8:00am - 12:30am 1-866-660-3194
From 12:30 am - 8:00 am 1-800-663-9122

Social Worker on Call (BC) 1-800-663-9122
After Hours Only - Any caller who would be referred to Ministry for Children and Family (MCFD) or Ministry of Housing & Human Development ("Social Services", "Welfare") during the week day can be referred to the Social Worker on call after hours.
-anything to do with children
-emergency needs for people on Social Assistance

Ministry of Children & Family Development 310-1234
To report abuse and / or neglect of a child.

Ministry of Housing & Social Development ("Welfare", "Social Assistance") 1-866-866-0800
Callers directed to appropriate services / offices in their communities.

HealthLink BC (24/7) 811
(Used to be BC Nurseline)
Provides confidential health information and advice by registered health professionals. Nurses available 24/7. Pharmacists from 5:00 pm - 9:00 am and Dieticians from 9:00am - 5:00 pm

Poison Control Information Line (24/ 7) 1-800-567-8911

Kids Help Phone (24/7) 1-800-668-6868
A national, bilingual 24 hour toll free confidential phone counseling, referral and internet service for children and youth and / or their parents.

VictimLINK 1-800-563-0808

D-Talks line 1-866-658-1221
9:00am - 8:00 pm Info and support for youth and adults on detox issues

BC Alcohol & Drug Information & Referral Services 1-800-663-1441

Crisis Line in USA 1-800-273-8255


 Nanaimo Emergency Reception Centres


Where do you go in a large scale emergency if you can no longer stay in your home?

The City of Nanaimo has four designated Reception Centres for residents in the case of an emergency and in a situation where they can no longer stay in their home.

If you can stay in your home or location it is highly recommended that you remain there as you do not know what you will encounter if you venture out.  However, if your home or location is not habitable these centres are designed to provide basic necessities: food, water and shelter when large scale evacuation of residents occurs due to emergency situations. Examples include, but are not limited to, displacement of residents due to fire, earthquakes and hazardous material spills.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue Department has a team of volunteers that will set up and manage these centres in emergency situations and dependent  upon the type of disaster they may not open immediately as they take time to set up and for resources to arrive.

The City will communicate which centres will be opening through various means dependent upon the situation. If communications infrastructure is still available, information will be disseminated over local media. If communications are not in place, other methods will be used to communicate with residents. Dependent upon need, additional centres will be opened and the public will be advised.

The four designated centres are:
Note: addresses are linked to map showing location of the centre nearest you.



Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank
1009 Farquhar Street, Nanaimo, 250.754.8347
Food pick-up available every Monday, 1:00pm - 3:00pm and Thursday, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Clothing Room

Nanaimo 7 - 10 Club
205-285 Prideaux Street, Nanaimo, 250-714-0917  www.nanaimo710club.com/index.php

The 7-10 Club Meal Program provides a hot nutritious breakfast, homemade soup, plus a brown bag lunch to go that is served by community volunteers to those in need during the  hours of 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.  All meals are offered at no charge.

Salvation Army
19 Nicol Street, Nanaimo, 250.754.2621
Lunch and dinner available seven days a week. Lunch from 12:00pm - 1:00 pm (lunch is free).
Dinner from 4:00 pm - 5:30pm ($2 cost for dinner; tickets are available at New Hope Centre).
Bread & goodies are available at the above times.

Salvation Army Family Services
19 Nicol Street (upstairs), Nanaimo
Food hampers available Monday to Friday from 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-2:30pm. Must show identification for self and everyone in the family. Bread & pastries available during meal times 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm & 4:00pm - 5:30pm Monday to Friday.
Drop-in for assessment and referral to other community resources such as:

Nanaimo Community Kitchens
www.nanaimocommunitykitchens.org 250.753.7470
Organize groups to cook together, share costs and take meals home (50% food subsidy), nutritious food for under $1 per serving.

Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre

602 Haliburton Street, Nanaimo, 250.753.6578
“Building Better Babies” provides juice and milk for pregnant women & babies up to 6 months old. Christmas food hampers for clients of Tillicum Lelum.

Nanaimo Food Share

www.nanaimofoodshare.ca 250.753.9393
A network of groups concerned about food security and food issues.

VIU Community Gardens
www.solutions.viu.ca 250.753.7470
Provides opportunities and education regarding food growing & sustainable living.

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