Clinical Resources
As a provincial service, we're committed to sharing our expertise and experience with other health professionals who are also treating people with mental health and substance use issues. Browse the resources below.
Treating concurrent disorders
A concurrent disorder is when a person has a substance use disorder and a mental illness at the same time. People with concurrent disorders often have other challenges that can complicate their illness. This makes recovery even more challenging.
Learn more about treating concurrent disorders
Opioid agonist treatment
Opioid agonist treatment, often called OAT, uses medications such as Suboxone and methadone to treat opioid addiction. The treatment helps reduce drug-related harms and support long-term recovery.
Learn more about opioid agonist treatment
Virtual health resources
A range of technologies allows BCMHSUS staff to deliver high-quality patient care remotely. This allows our providers and clients to connect “from anywhere to anywhere” across the system of care in BC. Virtual health is crucial to ensuring access to timely, appropriate and evidence-based care.
Learn more about the available virtual health resources
Patient and Family Engagement Framework
As health care providers, we have a moral and ethical responsibility to engage those who are affected by health decisions. We can do this in several ways. We can engage patients and families in designing, planning, delivering, and evaluating health care and health research.
Learn more about the framework BCMHSUS uses to engage families and patients
Risk assessment: START manuals
The Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (or START) is a clinical guide used to evaluate a client's or patient’s level of risk for aggression. It can also evaluate how likely they are to respond well to treatment. BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton co-developed this guide.
Learn more about the START guide
Trauma-informed practice
Trauma is often closely tied to substance use, mental illness, stigma, barriers to health care, and other challenges. Trauma-informed practice means recognizing this link. It also means making sure that people feel safe and are not re-traumatized by their care.