Pathways | Child and Youth Mental Health Crisis Program - Short Term, Assessment, Response, Treatment (START) Team

Child and Youth Mental Health Crisis Program - Short Term, Assessment, Response, Treatment (START) Team

Child Services, Mental Health - Child & Youth, and Youth Services

Provided by Fraser Health

Provides confidential mental health crisis intervention services for children and teens.

Youth in crisis is often determined after a physician has done an assessment. It can relate to a youth's mental, emotional or physical state. A START clinician or a substance use clinician doing an assessment of someone in an office or in the community can also determine whether a person is in crisis.

A decision is then made if immediate intervention is required and what other services could be provided longer term. If the intervention required is urgent, this can include using the Mental Health Act if the person meets the criteria for committal.
However, even when a situation for an individual is not a crisis, we may still endeavour to provide them with services on an urgent basis.

Services provided:

Mental health assessment
Safety planning
Resource and referral coordination
Brief crisis stabilization treatment (individual and/or group) if needed
Family support
Psychiatric assessment by a psychiatrist if needed
Professional consultation

Who can access these services?
Children and teens aged 6 to 18 years who are experiencing the rapid onset (in the past 2-4 weeks) of extreme mental health symptoms resulting in the child/teen being unable to participate in their typical daily activities or relationships. You must be referred to the program by a professional, but you may call the program directly to get immediate information.

Mental health crises may include self-harming, suicidal thoughts or attempts, intense anxiety or depression, distorted thinking, or a high risk of significantly harming others. Child or teen must live in the Fraser region.

How do I access these services?
Youth, families, schools and medical professionals can directly access our services by contacting the START Team at 1-844-START11 (1-844-782-7811).

Hours of operation - Monday to Friday 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, weekends and holidays 12:00 - 9:00 PM
Drop-in appointments may not always be available. Please call us first so we can ensure there is a clinician available.

START Team East, communities served: Abbotsford, Agassiz/Harrison, Chilliwack, Hope, Mission, and up to Boston Bar
START Team North, communities served: Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody
START Team South, communities served: Delta, Langley, Surrey, and White Rock

604-585-5561

Toll Free: 1-844-782-7811

Website: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/service...

(START Team North)

205 Newport Drive, Port Moody, British Columbia, V3H 5C9

(START Team South)

Shirley Dean Pavilion - Surrey Memorial Hospital, 9634 King George, Surrey, British Columbia, V3T 0G7

(START Team East)

#101, 32555 Simon Avenue, Abbotsford, British Columbia, V2T 4Y2

Cost: No cost

Referral options: