Resources for the Public

Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction

• • 1 866-866-0800 General enquiries
  • 1-800-661-8773 Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) General enquiries

Mental Health Contacts

If you or someone you know needs help, call one of the numbers below:

• 9-1-1 if you are in an emergency.
• 9-8-8 National suidice crisis helpline (click number for more information)
• 8-1-1 for non-emergency information on how to access alternatives to toxic drug supply and substance use services
• 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) if you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be. BC Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention.
• 310Mental Health Support at 310-6789 (no area code needed) for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.
• Kid’s Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a professional counsellor, 24 hours a day.
• Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service at 1-800-663-1441 (toll-free in B.C.) or 604-660-9382 (in the Lower Mainland) to find resources and support.

• Apply for CLBC Funding
• Apply for Person with a Disability Assistance (PWD)
• Get a bus pass through PWD assistance
• Get a L.I.F.E. Pass (free access to recreation centres) 
• Get a Leisure Assistant Pass (so your worker can accompany you in for free)
• Get an Access 2 Card (lets you bring a friend/family member/worker into the movies with you for free) 

We Use SIVA to Help Everyone Feel Safe and Supported

Supporting Individuals with Valued Attachments (SIVA)

What is SIVA?

SIVA stands for Supporting Individuals with Valued Attachments. It’s a way we work with people to help build good relationships, stay safe, and make good choices.

SIVA teaches us to:

• Understand people better

• Treat everyone with kindness

• Work together to solve problems

We use it with children, youth, and adults to help everyone feel respected and heard.

All Our Staff Are Trained in SIVA

Everyone who works at Building Bridges Community Support is trained in the SIVA model. This means they know how to support you in a calm, caring, and respectful way. Our staff are here to listen, help, and work with you.

Why Do We Use SIVA?

We believe everyone deserves to:

• Feel safe

• Be treated with respect

• Have good, healthy relationships

• Learn and grow from their experiences

SIVA helps us focus on what people need, not just how they act.
When someone is upset, it might be because they don’t feel heard or are having a hard time.
SIVA helps us understand the reasons behind behaviours, so we can respond positively and supportively.

What Is the Philosophy of SIVA?

The SIVA model is about working together and creating connections.
It’s based on these key beliefs:

• Everyone has strengths

• People need to feel connected and valued

• We solve problems better as a team

• Understanding people is more helpful than simply reacting

Examples of How We Use SIVA

Listening and Talking
When someone is upset, we take time to listen and speak calmly.
We ask what they need and how we can help.

Problem Solving Together
Rather than punishing mistakes, we work together to make things right.
For example, if something is broken, we discuss what happened and how to repair or replace it.

Understanding Feelings
We try to understand the emotions behind behaviours.
Anger or sadness may come from fear, exhaustion, or confusion.
Our goal is to help people feel safe and supported.

Using Positive Choices
We encourage positive choices that help everyone feel good.
Even when mistakes happen, we focus on learning, not shame.

SIVA Means You Matter

With SIVA, our message is clear:
You are important.
Your voice matters.
Your feelings matter.

And we are here to support you, every step of the way.

WorkBC – government website with resources that connects you to training and job opportunities.

Calendar for Connection – calendar of fun and inclusive events to help people connect with others.

HealthLink BC

An extensive list of mental health resources and phone numbers available to you. This is your ultimate mental health access site.

Virtual Mental Health Supports

Extensive links to workshops, events, free/low cost counselling, other resources, etc. 

Here to Help

Information on how to access free or low cost counselling.

Bounce Back BC 

This is a web based program to help people aged 15 yr or older to develop skills to work through anxiety, depression, stress and worry. You can work online or with a coach over the phone.

Wellness Together Canada 

This is an online portal that allows Canadians to access self-assessments, self-directed e-mental health tools, peer support and live counselling by telephone, video and text.

Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute

Resources and training on how to work with people with trauma, and work through personal trauma and crisis. Training, resources, videos, books, etc.

Coming up with goals can be challenging for some people. For others, it’s motivating and inspirational. There is no one way to do goal planning. The important thing is for you to decide what’s important to you, what changes you would like to see in your life, and what resources you have to help you achieve those changes so you can live your ideal life.

Here’s a little toolkit that might help you get into the process of looking at goals and what’s important to you. Again, there isn’t a right or wrong way of doing this. This is your life, and you get to choose what you do with it. Play with this, explore, and have fun! You may be pleasantly surprised at what comes out of it.

Person-Centred Planning Outline – A step by step guide on how to do a person centred plan.

Person Centred Planning Toolkit –  Provides questions to ask to help with developing goals; examples of what your plan can look like; and things to consider when developing your plan.

PATH Template – Blank template for you to use through the process, but feel free to change it to something that will work for you. Be creative! Have fun!

• Apply for CLBC Funding
• Apply for Person with a Disability Assistance (PWD)
• Get a bus pass through PWD assistance
• Get a L.I.F.E. Pass (free access to recreation centres) 
• Get a Leisure Assistant Pass (so your worker can accompany you in for free)
• Get an Access 2 Card (lets you bring a friend/family member/worker into the movies with you for free) 

We Use SIVA to Help Everyone Feel Safe and Supported

Supporting Individuals with Valued Attachments (SIVA)

What is SIVA?

SIVA stands for Supporting Individuals with Valued Attachments. It’s a way we work with people to help build good relationships, stay safe, and make good choices.

SIVA teaches us to:

• Understand people better

• Treat everyone with kindness

• Work together to solve problems

We use it with children, youth, and adults to help everyone feel respected and heard.

All Our Staff Are Trained in SIVA

Everyone who works at Building Bridges Community Support is trained in the SIVA model. This means they know how to support you in a calm, caring, and respectful way. Our staff are here to listen, help, and work with you.

Why Do We Use SIVA?

We believe everyone deserves to:

• Feel safe

• Be treated with respect

• Have good, healthy relationships

• Learn and grow from their experiences

SIVA helps us focus on what people need, not just how they act.
When someone is upset, it might be because they don’t feel heard or are having a hard time.
SIVA helps us understand the reasons behind behaviours, so we can respond positively and supportively.

What Is the Philosophy of SIVA?

The SIVA model is about working together and creating connections.
It’s based on these key beliefs:

• Everyone has strengths

• People need to feel connected and valued

• We solve problems better as a team

• Understanding people is more helpful than simply reacting

Examples of How We Use SIVA

Listening and Talking
When someone is upset, we take time to listen and speak calmly.
We ask what they need and how we can help.

Problem Solving Together
Rather than punishing mistakes, we work together to make things right.
For example, if something is broken, we discuss what happened and how to repair or replace it.

Understanding Feelings
We try to understand the emotions behind behaviours.
Anger or sadness may come from fear, exhaustion, or confusion.
Our goal is to help people feel safe and supported.

Using Positive Choices
We encourage positive choices that help everyone feel good.
Even when mistakes happen, we focus on learning, not shame.

SIVA Means You Matter

With SIVA, our message is clear:
You are important.
Your voice matters.
Your feelings matter.

And we are here to support you, every step of the way.

WorkBC – government website with resources that connects you to training and job opportunities.

Calendar for Connection – calendar of fun and inclusive events to help people connect with others during COVID.

HealthLink BC

An extensive list of mental health resources and phone numbers available to you. This is your ultimate mental health access site.

Virtual Mental Health Supports

Extensive links to workshops, events, free/low cost counselling, other resources, etc. 

Here to Help

Information on how to access free or low cost counselling.

Bounce Back BC 

This is a web based program to help people aged 15 yr or older to develop skills to work through anxiety, depression, stress and worry. You can work online or with a coach over the phone.

Wellness Together Canada 

This is an online portal that allows Canadians to access self-assessments, self-directed e-mental health tools, peer support and live counselling by telephone, video and text.

Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute

Resources and training on how to work with people with trauma, and work through personal trauma and crisis. Training, resources, videos, books, etc.

Coming up with goals can be challenging for some people. For others, it’s motivating and inspirational. There is no one way to do goal planning. The important thing is for you to decide what’s important to you, what changes you would like to see in your life, and what resources you have to help you achieve those changes so you can live your ideal life.

Here’s a little toolkit that might help you get into the process of looking at goals and what’s important to you. Again, there isn’t a right or wrong way of doing this. This is your life, and you get to choose what you do with it. Play with this, explore, and have fun! You may be pleasantly surprised at what comes out of it.

Person-Centred Planning Outline – A step by step guide on how to do a person centred plan.

Person Centred Planning Toolkit –  Provides questions to ask to help with developing goals; examples of what your plan can look like; and things to consider when developing your plan.

PATH Template – Blank template for you to use through the process, but feel free to change it to something that will work for you. Be creative! Have fun!