MaBAL (mother and baby advise line) is available 24/7 during the holidays.
Community members:
Is your Health Centre closed for the holidays?
Are your usual community support people not available?
What can you do if you have a pregnancy, post-birth, or baby health concern that cannot wait?
MaBAL can be accessed through 811. 811 is 24hr/ 7days a week. Healthlink 811 also has doctors to provide support – it is called “HEiDi – healthlink BC emergency iDoctor-in-assistance.
If you have questions or concerns about your pregnancy, your newborn /young baby, or about your own health after giving birth / as a new parent:
Call 911 if it is a life-threatening emergency situation
Call 811 if it is something that you are not sure about, or if you know it cannot wait till after the holidays.
- Ask to speak with a doctor or with HEiDi (HEiDi doctors are there to support 10am- 10pm). This doctor will contact MaBAL if needed or at your request. (or 911 if they assess it is an emergency).
- If after 10pm and before 10am:
- Call 911 if an emergency
- If not an emergency but you need help or have a question / concern call 811 and ask to speak to a MaBAL doctor.
Due to the MaBAL provider being busy with other calls you may be advised to call back in the morning, make sure you explain what your concern is with the 811 provider (who is a nurse) and they can help you decide the urgency of your request and if there other options for you to receive help.
- If you feel your request can wait until a MaBAL doctor is available (in the next 12-24hr) then ask the 811 provider for help in making contact with them.
What is MaBAL: a service to expectant mothers and new parents, guardians, or caregivers of newborn babies in rural and remote First Nations communities in BC. Family members and healthcare providers can also receive support.
Doctors in the service provide advice on urgent and non-urgent maternal and child health topics. Topics can include pregnancy, birth and newborn care. The doctors can also arrange referrals to obstetricians or pediatricians if needed.
Other supports and resources:
First Nations Health Authority Doctor of the Day: call 1-855-344-3800 to book an appointment. Medical Office Assistants are available to help seven days per week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Client can call themselves. An appointment time is given to speak to the Dr.
Virtual Substance Use and Psychiatry Service: Referral-based service available at no cost to all BC First Nations people and their family members, even if those family members are not indigenous. Health and wellness providers call: 1-833-456-7655 for assistance or referral.
If MaBAL or Doctor of the Day supports are contacted first, they can contact this service if it is required and client consents to them contacting this service.
KUU-US Crisis Response Service: Crisis AND Support line (does not have to only be “crisis”; line can be accessed when someone just wants support or to talk). By First Nations for First Nations, culturally safe, by phone suicide prevention & crisis response; family members, community members and nurses can also consult with them when concerned about someone. They will do safety monitoring calls as well: 1-800-588-8717 or 1-800-KUU-US17.
Tsow Tun Le Lum : Staff and cultural teams provide confidential outreach services such as counselling and cultural support by phone, video, or other means as possible. To access cultural support or outreach services please call our toll-free line at 1-888-403-3123; or our main office at (250) 390-3123.
The First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310 or through online chat counselling. The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. (Indigenous Services Canada)
Crisis Centre BC: Distress Line: 1-866-661-3311 or for individuals who are or know someone who is having thoughts of suicide: 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433. If your crisis is an emergency, call 911.
310 Mental Health Support: For emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health (BC resource): 310-6789 (no area code needed)
