The Vancouver Association for the Survivors of Torture (VAST) offers a local phone and a toll-free support line for professionals and people supporting newcomer survivors of forced migration, war, and torture in BC.

This non-crisis support line is available Monday through Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM, providing support to frontline primary care and mental health professionals, managers, settlement workers, social service providers, and private sponsors of refugees. VAST offers information, referrals, resources, and consultations for those working with refugee claimants, and government-assisted or privately sponsored refugees.

The service is free of charge, and users can expect a call back within 2 business days. While direct client services are not offered at this time, the focus is on staff training and capacity building to improve support for refugees and refugees claimants.

VAST is the leading organization in BC offering trauma-informed mental health services to refugees and refugee claimants dealing with psychological trauma from torture, political violence, and persecution.

Contact Information:

• Phone: 778-653-8278
• Toll-Free: 1-888-619-8636
• Website: https://www.vastbc.ca/
• E-mail: referrals@vastbc.ca