Here are the important phone numbers you need to know in B.C.

Not every call should be to 9-1-1.

Photo: Woman worried phone / Getty Images

According to E-Comm’s 2019 top-10 list of nuisance calls to 9-1-1, there were a litany of bizarre reasons why people called the emergency number.

And they most certainly were not all emergencies.

From a small parking spot to a bad haircut to late-night vacuuming, some people called 9-1-1 for the wrong reasons. And while these calls may seem benign, they clog up the vital communication system from dispatching services in emergency situations.

Of course, there are a number of other reasons why people may call 9-1-1 that do require assistance beyond police, fire or medical emergencies requiring immediate assistance. However, there are a number of other resources available for these situations.

E-Comm is sharing an infograph with numbers to Healthlink BC, BC Wildfire, 2-1-1, Victim Services, BC Crisis Lines, and Kids Help Phone.

Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) if you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be.

Call 310-6789 (no need to dial area code) for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.

Call 1-800-668-6868 for the Kids Help Phone. They offer immediate and caring support, information and, if necessary, referral to a local community or social service agency.

Call 8-1-1, Health Link BC, for confidential health information and advice available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For COVID-19 related questions, find up-to-date contact information on the BC Centre for Disease Control website.

The Alcohol & Drug Information & Referral Service is available to people across BC needing help with any kind of substance abuse issues 24 hours a day. It provides information and referral to education, prevention and treatment services and regulatory agencies. For the Lower Mainland call 604-660-9382, or toll free at 1-800-663-1441.

Call Poision Control for the Lower Mainland at 604-682-5050 or toll free at 1-800-567-8911.