Duncan Mental Health and Addiction Services - Duncan, British Columbia

Polly B.

So...a suicide client spends a morning dreading her first appt since her breakdown. She struggles to the bus stop, makes a transfer and arrives 20 minutes early. Standing at the reception counter, she is ignored while the receptionist, Carolina, is busy answering all three phone calls that come in as the client is waiting. Unacknowledged and broken inside, she tries to control her misery but says, “never mind”, decides she obviously isn’t important enough to even smile at, she leaves.
What to do...she finds a pay phone, loses a dollar coin in it and calls the mental health office to speak to her counsellor, Lydia. She answers. The client tries to explain, choking back tears and hurt, that she went to office, waited and was ignored. Her counsellor replied,” and what would you like to do now?”
(Well she’d like to be ACKNOWLEDGED, thank you...)
All morning as she stressed over this meeting, she realized that lack of acknowledgement was an issue she wanted to discuss that day. Ironically, it merely happened yet again, AT THE MENTAL HEALTH OFFICE!
The client replied that she is going to hitchhike home, no bus fare, spent on phone call. Counsellor replied, “HAVE A NICE DAY”
Client is ready to throw self in front of a truck but remembers a joint in her purse. She still has to get home...in sandals for walking, 3.7 km...or...not

When you cold call a person at 9:04 am and wake them up and they explain that they can’t leap out of bed to get their notes and speak with you about this issue at this moment, please don’t sound miffed with me on the phone.

Mary-margret D.

Attended various online group programs. Each instructor was very kind, calm and easy to talk to. The presentations themselves felt a bit dated, but the information was helpful. I appreciate this service they provide for free.

Micheal G.

Seen 3 or 4 counsellors here.. always seems like a waste of time. Nobody has been helpful at all, in fact twice now i've felt like I was being scolded for being depressed & suicidal. The most recent "counsellor" (if you can call her that) told me "you keep coming to see counsellors but nobody is going to help you." Thank you for that.

Anyways, nobody here actually listens to you or seems to really care. The feeling I get is that they're just looking for high turnover rates; get people in and out as fast as possible.

Save your breathe and seek help elsewhere.

Morgan V. H.

Some of the people working here really seem to care and some don't. It seems like you really have to advocate for yourself or they won't bother with you. Unfortunately, when you're in a state where you need their help, it is extremely difficult to do that advocating. I suspect they are underfunded or something because it just shouldn't be this way. In the worst states I've been in I've left feeling totally ignored and unacknowledged. That said, I've had some great experiences. YMMV

Brett H.

I have suffered from severe anxiety and depression for years.. I tried coming here and working with a man... he told me "I don't care how long you sit there or if you get better I get payed by the hour" it is rather sad when someone working in the mental health field basically admits they don't care if they help people because it's a paycheck..

Hunter C.

Cold atmosphere. I was here on a referral and left this place somehow feeling worse than when I went in. To make a long story short I was told they can't help me (because my memory and communication skills are too impaired from abuse) I apologised for wasting their time & was promptly shown to the door. I can honestly say I wouldn't go back there if my life depended on it.

Alisha E.

Mr.Crosbie Watler supplies antidepressants to "patients" for things like depression, then once hooked to them they get treated for substance abuse. This guy is well known for his cruel and abusive "treatments" to families.

Shae M.

Came here recommended by my doctor to seek counseling. Disappointed that my mental state didn't seem damaged enough for them to help me. She gave me a few other options and basically tossed me out the door for me to figure stuff out on my own.