Resources & General Information

Kelty Mental Health

• BC eating disorder resources list (please note that some of the resources are outdated or no longer available.)

National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC)

• Information on eating disorders

• Find a provider services

• Live chat services available on website

• Helpline:

  • (Toll-Free)1-866-633-4220

  • Email: nedic@uhn.ca 

National Initiative for Eating Disorders (NIED)

• Information on eating disorders

• Pan-Canadian support groups list

Peer Support groups

Vancouver Island Voices for Eating Disorders (VIVED) - see “Supports We Offer” page

• Victoria ED Peer Support Group - every second Monday until January 2024

• Skills Share Study Group - starting June 2024

Eating Disorders Nova Scotia (EDNS) Online Peer Support Groups:

• Virtual Peer Support Group

• Trans, 2S, & Non-binary Support Group

• Online Peer Chat

• Youth Support Group

• Family and Friends Support Group

Low Barrier Virtual Services

Looking Glass Foundation Online Supports:

• Peer Support Chat

• Bridge the Gap (low-cost counselling service)

• Hand-in-Hand Program

• Personal Recovery Space (online forum)

Body Brave:

• Recovery Support Program.

Eating Disorders Anonymous

• See website (linked above) for more details about EDA meetings across Canada.

Anorexics & Bulimics Anonymous (ABA) Victoria

• 12 step approach to recovery

• Contact Hazel for Zoom password

  • Phone: 780-782-0363

B.C. Schizophrenia Society (Victoria branch) offers support for anyone (families, partners, & individuals struggling with ANY mental health issue.)

Podcasts & Virtual meal support

• Eatcakepod

  • Snack Time & Chill, Thursdays at 3 on Instagram Live

  • Follow @eatcakepod on Instagram

Find A Doctor B.C. is a helpful resource in searching out a general practitioner in your area.

Outpatient Treatment

South Island Eating Disorders Program (EDP):

• Youth & adults services provided through the Ministry of Child & Family Development (MCFD)

• GP referral required (form can be found here.)

• Program serves youth and adults struggling with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and Otherwise Specified Eating Disorders (OSFED). No services for Binge Eating Disorder (BED).

• Location: #302 – 2955 Jutland Rd.,Victoria, BC

• Contact information

  • Phone: 250-387-0000

  • Fax: 250-387-0002

Island Health (Cowichan Valley, Central, & North Island) Eating Disorder Services

• Further details on services in each region are described below.

• All outpatient services now require a referral (form available here).

• Island Health Regional Coordinator, Eating Disorders Program, Child & Youth MHSU:

  • Can assist in locating eating disorder resources across Vancouver Island

  • Phone: 250-519-5390 (ext. 36925).

  • Email: Crystal.Frost@islandhealth.ca

Cowichan Valley Eating Disorder Program

Adult Services:

• Treatment for confirmed or suspected AN, BN, OSFED, ARFID, BED

• One part time eating disorders adult therapist (social worker)

• One part time eating disorders dietitian who supports youth and adults

• Referral required.

• Contact information

  • Phone: 250-732-2376

  • Email: EatingDisorderClinicCowichan@islandhealth.ca

Youth & Caregiver Services:

• Services are provided through Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH).  

• No referral required.

• Phone: 250-880-5351  

Central Island Eating Disorders Program

• Treatment for confirmed or suspected AN, BN, OSFED, ARFID, BED.

• Referral required.

• Access to one adult eating disorders therapist and one adult eating disorders dietitian.

• Location - 40- 1925 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo BC, V9S 1H1

• Phone: 250-755-7955

• One GP to support transitional age youth and acute/complex adults in Central Island.

  • Direct line: 250-739-5880 (ext. 56117)

Nanaimo Pediatric Eating Disorder Support Group

• <17 years & families.

• Referral from GP required.

• Phone: 250-739-5855

NARSF Programs LTD. Eating Disorder Program

• <19 years & families.

• Open referral.

• Phone: 250-754-2773 (ext. 213)

North Island Eating Disorder Program

Services for Adults:

• Treatment for confirmed or suspected AN, BN, OSFED, ARFID, BED.

• Referral required.

• Current recruitment underway (as of January 2023) for a 0.7 eating disorders therapist in Comox, a 0.7 eating disorders therapist for Campbell River, and a 0.5 ED nurse for the North Island.

• One day/week dietitian support for Comox Valley.

• One day/week dietitian support for Campbell River.

• Contact information (Comox Valley)

  • Phone: 250-331-5900 ext. 65325 (adults).

  • Phone: 250-331-5900 ext. 65321 (youth).

  • E-mail: EatingDisorderClinicCV@islandhealth.ca

• Contact information (Campbell River)

  • Phone: 250-204-0413 (adults)

  • Phone: 250-204-0413 (youth).

  • Email: EatingDisorderClinicCR@islandhealth.ca

OTHER (LOCAL, PROVINCIAL, NATIONAL, & GLOBAL) MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS

Island Health Mental Health Outpatient Resources:

• Island Health website

• Centralized Access & Rapid Engagement Service (CARES) - provides screening, assessment, treatment recommendations and referrals to Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use and external community programs in the Victoria area. The intake team includes professionals with backgrounds in social work, nursing, substance use treatment and psychology, with psychiatrist support to make referral decisions. See their brochure here and there referral form here (GP involvement required). Contact them at 250-519-3485 for more information.

Foundry Victoria offers various supports to youth up to age 24.

Foundry Victoria offers a range of wellness services for young people ages 12-24, including physical and mental health care, substance use supports, social services and peer support. Not sure what service or support you need? Just come in and talk with someone! We’ll work with you to determine what might be most helpful for your wellness needs.

Services we offer include: health care, sexual health, peer support, mental health support and counselling, substance abuse support and counselling, outreach, harm reduction, trans care, income assistance support, navigation support

• Phone: 250-383-3552

• E-mail: office@foundryvictoria.ca

• Mental Health Recovery Partners

  • Groups

Crisis Lines & Interventions:

• Youthspace is a place for any youth across Canada, under 30, that is experiencing any sort of crisis to come and talk. We are open every day between 6pm and midnight Pacific Standard Time!

• Vancouver Island Crisis Line is available 24/7. Call 1-888-494-3888. Text available from 6-10 PM nightly at 250-800-3806. You can also chat online with a trained volunteer (6-10 PM nightly at www.viccrisis.ca).

• Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team (IMCRT) - 1 PM - midnight, 7 days a week. Referral required either directly through a physician or via a crisis line. Police are involved.

• Provincial list of crisis lines (B.C.)

• B.C. Mental Health Support Line 310-6789 (available 24/7).

Psychology Today list of private treatment options for addictions and related mental health issues.

Homewood Health (Vancouver)

• Private counselling and residential treatment options for individuals struggling with substance use, mood disorders, trauma, and anxiety disorders.

Esquimalt Neighbourhood House offers counselling services and crisis intervention.

Men’s Trauma Centre offers support to those who identify as male, either with recent or a history of trauma.

Victoria Sexual Assault Centre offers information and support.

CBT Skills Group (Victoria Division of Family Practice):

• The Victoria and South Island Divisions of Family Practice, in collaboration with Shared Care, ​are offering a free eight-week Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) ​Skills Groups for adult patients (17.5-75 years old) who want to learn practical tools to improve their mental health. The CBT Skills Group program is a transdiagnostic course that integrates basic neuroscience teaching with introductory mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy skills and concepts. Patients learn practical tools to recognize, understand and manage patterns of feeling, thinking and behaving. They learn to be conscious of their choices as they respond to life stressors, and explore options for living a fuller, richer life, more aligned with what they value most. The group is part of a project that fosters collaboration between family medicine and psychiatry, and enables people to access an intervention covered by MSP.

• Referral by GP is required.

Community Art of Living Mindfully (CALM) Group offered through the B.C. Association for Living Mindfully (BCALM).

• Free 8 week mindfulness/meditation group

• Covered by MSP

• Referral by GP required

Umbrella Society specializes in substance use issues.

Anxiety B.C.

She Recovers Foundation

• They offer recovery resources, retreats, and yoga for individuals recovering from eating disorders, substance use, and more.

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

• Bounce Back - CBT Program

Inpatient Treatment

4NW at St. Paul's Hospital Through Provincial Adult Tertiary Eating Disorders Program (Vancouver):

• Inpatient (hospitalization) treatment options.

• 7 beds.

• For adults age 19+ in BC and the Yukon.

• Must be connected to GP or regional eating disorder program for referral to be accepted (referral form can be found here.)

• Phone: 604-806-8347

B.C. Children’s Hospital (Vancouver):

• 14-bed intensive inpatient unit for children and youth17 & under in BC and the Yukon

• Referral required.

• Must go through a regional program to get a referral (form can be found here ).

• Phone: 604-875-2200

Residential Treatment

Discovery/Vista Program Through the Provincial Adult Tertiary Eating Disorders Program (Vancouver):

• 7 bed residential program for adults with eating disorders (17+) in BC and the Yukon

• 12-15 weeks.

• Post-treatment program for 6 months after discharge.

• Must be connected to GP or regional eating disorder program for referral to be accepted (referral form can be found here.)

• Phone: 604-806-8347

The Looking Glass Residence (Vancouver):

• 14 bed residential program (due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 7 beds are open).

• 12 weeks.

• Pre- and post-discharge programs.

• Treatment for youth aged 16-24 ($45/day plus medications cost for individuals aged 19 and older.)

• Contact information

  • Phone: 604-314-0548

  • E-mail: info@lookingglassbc.com

Out-of-Province & country care

• Approval process is through the Provincial Adult Tertiary Eating Disorders Program (PATSEDP)