New supports are available for people in crisis related to substance use at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria.<\/p>\n
RJH has added four inpatient beds to the existing two short-stay beds with 24\/7 care dedicated to people in crisis for substance use, and for behavioural and mental health needs. <\/p>\n
Known as SUN (Support, Understand, Nurture) Pathway Beds, the four long-term stay inpatient beds were added on June 1 and aim to fill the gaps in services for helping people move through the stages of recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople experiencing complex\u00a0substance use\u00a0challenges need a safe, supportive environment where they can stabilize, connect with care and begin their recovery journey,\u201d said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. \u201cThe Support, Understand, Nurture Pathway Beds provide that foundation, ensuring individuals receive compassionate, timely support that meets them where they are.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new service announced Wednesday will be staffed by a team of nurses, mental health workers and a social worker who will collaborate to \u201cquickly assess, treat and stabilize patients,\u201d states Island Health\u2019s release. <\/p>\n
\u201cIsland\u00a0Health is committed to meeting all patients where they are \u2014 with compassion, respect, and dignity,\u201d said Leah Hollins,\u00a0Island\u00a0Health board chair. \u201cThis new service is a powerful example of how we can support individuals in\u00a0crisis\u00a0with timely, connected care that helps them begin their path to healing.\u201d<\/p>\n
To be eligible for one of the six SUN Pathway beds, you must be 19 years or older, come through the RJH emergency department for medical care and require assessment and support that\u2019s related to a substance use\u00a0disorder and\/or a mental health related need.<\/p>\n
The service has two short-stay beds that opened in April 2025, and four inpatient beds which opened June 1, 2026. The inpatient beds are located at RJH\u2019s 5S acute medicine unit for individuals requiring longer stays, and two short-stay beds are located in the emergency department.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Support, Understand, Nurture Pathway Beds are a compassionate response to a complex issue,\u201d said Lisa Diamond, director of Clinical Service Delivery. \u201cThis service means we can intervene earlier and more effectively, giving people the support they need to engage in attaining stability and moving towards recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
When a patient is deemed ready for discharge, patients are connected with community resources to continue care, according to Island Health. \u201cThis may include medication management, access to treatment programs and follow-up with outreach and mental health workers.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you or someone you know is experiencing a severe mental health and\/or\u00a0substance use\u00a0emergency or\u00a0crisis, call 911 immediately, or go to the emergency department.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Additional crisis services are listed below: <\/p>\n
Call the Vancouver\u00a0Island\u00a0Crisis\u00a0Line at 1-888-494-3888 to access 24-hour\u00a0crisis\u00a0support<\/p>\n
Text the Vancouver\u00a0Island\u00a0Crisis\u00a0line at 250-800-3806 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly<\/p>\n
Call or text the\u00a0Community-Led\u00a0Crisis\u00a0Response Team<\/a>\u00a0Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. \u2013 12:30 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. \u2013 9 p.m. at 250-818-2454.<\/p>\n Online chat\u00a0crisis\u00a0service from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly via\u00a0VI\u00a0Crisis<\/a><\/p>\n Call BC211 at 2-1-1 to reach an information specialist 24 hours a day, or visit\u00a0BC 211<\/a><\/p>\n Dial 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.<\/p>\n Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to get help right away, any time<\/p>\n Call KUU-US\u00a0Crisis\u00a0line at 1-800-588-8717 to access 24-hour Indigenous specific\u00a0crisis\u00a0support<\/p>\n