Victoria Mental Health Centre

VIHA Mental Health is the biggest disgrace on the planet. It's non-existent. The Archie Courtnall Center is torture, the psyche doctors are incompetent and uncaring. I'm planning to jump in front of a truck on the Pat Bay Highway and what do they do? Send me home with a referral and a prescription. They are an abomination. They need to be exposed. So why give them one star? The star is not for them. I just wanted to colour in one of those stars without going over the lines. I like colouring within the lines.

I had an absolutely horrific experience with Dr. Boston. I almost took my own life under his care" because of the giant cocktail of unnecessary medications he had me on. I lost seven months of my life to this degenerate clown. Inexperienced

We were seeking urgent help for my son. We were told to get a referral from family doctor. As there is a shortage of drs we have one in Coquitlam. My son ferried over, interviewed with our family Dr, waited a month with no professional support... When we called intake they said they hadn't received a referral. We called our Dr office and they had sent it to wrong fax number. Referral resent. Now they won't initiate referral intake interview because the referral had to come from a local doctor. We now have to schedule a drop in appointment with a doctor we don't know. Ridiculous policy. My son has a referral from his family Dr in BC. We live on the island and can't receive help without new referral.

I have been going to Island Mental Health, with the same doctor for over 15 yrs. I have Never had a problem with my doctor or the other staff.

Same situation for me, most importantly is how awful the archie courtnall centre is for peeps really down low. shift change at 6 AM, and they are not quiet at all about it xDalso add no privacy, even if rooms are empty... just like handicap parking spots i guess=p

Tell you need to go to Intake Clinic for a referral. Intake Clinic tells you need a referral from a doctor. All for a simple refill.

Do not go here for any kind of assists its all guess work and you will be heavily medicated against your will.

I agree with you entirely T Toye. My experiences with seeking counselling at Victoria Mental Health have been worse than useless. I know that they are understaffed, but to recycle retired psychiatrists is just now not on. They are obviously not committed and it is so apparent. If this is the only way a person can seek help that is publicly funded, then this is a big fail. I ended up feeling worse than when I first started.

As one reviewer noted, Victoria Mental Health is like something out of a horror story. The good staff work against impossible odds, while the insensitive burned out nurses, orderlies and other staff (the majority) seem intent on humiliating patients, friends and family alike. Not a place to get well in. A friend of mine was attacked by another resident and left brain injured and reliant on a cane. To this day VIHA has failed to compensate her for the assault at a facility that should have kept her safe.

This is no place to get help. You should know before going that the staff won't sympathize. They won't attempt to understand and give a helping hand. You should expect short term service or no service at all. You will not get the mental health help you need here. I wish I could tell you different because there are so many people on the island that need help. This place could very well make you worse. More suicidal. It is under staffed. And the government never does anything to help. Never investigates. You're better off alone or with family. If you have one.