Dear provincial partners,
The BC Government has released new guidance on applying the Mental Health Act to treat youth under 19 with severe mental health and substance use challenges. We recognize the strong interest in how this guidance should be interpreted and applied provincially, particularly for youth presenting with severe substance use disorders.
At the request of the Ministry of Health, BC Children’s Hospital leaders are convening pediatric experts from across the province to support this work. With coordination support from Child Health BC, provincial engagement and planning will begin shortly. A provincial working group is being established to review the guidance, develop a shared provincial understanding, support integration into clinical practice, and identify related resource and education needs.
Resources available now
While provincial implementation planning is underway, the following resources are currently available:
General physician guidance
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Developed by Dr. Daniel Vigo, B.C.’s Chief Scientific Adviser for Psychiatry, Toxic Drugs and Concurrent Disorders
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Available on the BC Government website
Compass Mental Health
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Provincial phone and web-based consultation service for clinicians
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Available 9 a.m.–9 p.m., seven days a week, for case-specific clinical advice
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| 1.855.702.7272
Upcoming webinar
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Interpreting BC’s Mental Health Act for Treatment of Youth with Substance Use Disorders
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Presenter: Dr. Daniel Vigo
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February 19, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
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Registration link
Existing online resources:
| Organization | Related Resource |
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Compass Mental Health (BC Children’s Hospital) |
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Healthy Minds Learning (BC Children’s Hospital) |
Mental Health Act toolkit |
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Resources for Interdisciplinary Pediatric Practice and Learning (Child Health BC) |
Provincial Child and Youth Substance Use Curriculum (NEW!) |
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Provincial Guideline (Child Health BC) |
Provincial Child and Youth Substance Intoxication and Withdrawal Guideline for Acute Care Settings |