My son is in Canada travelling and was hoping to settle there. Unfortunately he seems to be having a mental breakdown which might be drug related. We are struggling to get someone to him to help him get some mental health treatment. Both Canadian and British Embassy's can't do anything unless he volunteers for treatment. I'm at a loss what to do !!

Can anyone help or give me advice please??

Where is he, which province? I don't see how or why the Embassy's would help, presumably you need a medical professional? Do you know his doctors details?

Unless certified by a doctor or the adult gives permission, there is not much you can do. Best thing, get over here and provide support.

As far as I can see you have a couple of options...

Firstly you fly over and bring him home if he consents.

You fly over, take him to a doctor who will advise treatment if he has the medical cover in place to do so.

Without someone clinically involved and without sufficient reason i am not sure what you can expect an embassy to do about it....and really I repeat if you need help that desperately then someone needs to be with your son. The police can get involved if you believe he will harm himself of others but you can't make that judgement from another country or unless he gets himself to a doctor and is honest.. Often people suffering from mental illness do not give the whole story.

I agree, get on the next flight out!

Thanks for all your comments, my wife is on a flight in 48hrs to Vancouver (where he's staying at the moment).

Does anyone know any charity or medical facility that might approach him for some counselling?

They are not going to approach him- you will need to get him by hook or by crook to a doctor...

Unlikely anything will be quick. Many of the volunteers societies have long waiting list. Pay ones are easier to get into. He would have to agree though.

BCACC | Find A Counsellor

MSP does not offer counseling services.

Oh my goodness, what a horrible situation for your family to be in, made all the worse by distance. I truly hope he's receptive to your wife (his mum?) going over and that he gets the help he needs. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, Archie.

Thank you Archie....fingers crossed !!

Sorry, I meant Thankyou TrishP

No prob, I knew what you meant, Trish!

MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS INFORMATION
If you or your loved one is experiencing a psychiatric emergency or crisis, please call the Mental Health Emergency Services 24 hour crisis line – 604-874-7307. Or, if you’re able, come to the St. Paul’s Hospital Emergency Department.

This might be of use for your wife/son to call when she arrives. I have had to call the paramedics a couple of times to deal with folks having psychotic episodes. Both them and the police have been very good. They normally take folks to St Paul's from around downtown Vancouver.

Take care.

I have also sent an enquiry to a friend of mine who works within this field to see if he can recommend anyone. I'll be in touch

If you know where he is and can provide an address or phone number, call the local police and ask them to do a welfare check and explain the situation. They will likely send officers out to check on him, and police officers have the ability to detain someone under the mental health act to be evaluated by a doctor.

But know unless he is an immediate threat to himself or others, the doctor will likely release him though.

If its a drug issue, and he has drugs on him, they may arrest him however.

When your wife gets to him and if he hasn't already seen a doctor, and if in Vancouver, I'd recommend VGH (Vancouver General) over St.Pauls, VGH in my experience as a patient is a more positive experience, again this is from a patient perspective.