Education & Safety
The first step in preparing clients for heat events is ensuring they can do this with persons on medications that interfere with thermoregulation.
What is identify a point of contact/check‑in person?
Highlight these two everyday resources clients without AC can use to cool off.
What are libraries/community centres or cooling centres
This group is most at risk due to cognitive or psychiatric conditions that affect judgment or awareness of thirst.
Who are individuals with schizophrenia or dementia
Counsellors can normalize this reaction to heat stress, which can worsen agitation or restlessness.
What is increased anxiety
Clinicians should educate clients to look for these two key emergencies (use lay terms).
What are signs of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, dizziness) and heat stroke (no sweating, confusion)?
Clothing advice: choose light‑colored, loose clothing and this accessory to reduce sun exposure.
What is a wide‑brimmed hat
When assessing risk, ask clients if they have access to these two essentials.
What are cooling (AC, fans, shade) and hydration (clean drinking water)?
This approach helps clients identify and plan for emotional triggers during extreme weather.
What is CBT or safety planning
Encourage clients to drink water even before this sensation to prevent dehydration.
What is thirst
Clinicians should provide clients with a written plan listing symptoms, hydration reminders, and these two things regarding medications.
What are medication storage guidelines and dose/risk adjustments
This document can be created with a client to outline who checks in on them, warning signs to look for, and emergency contacts.
What is a personalized heat safety plan
When clients express hopelessness about their ability to cope in the heat, try exploring these two things.
What are small achievable coping actions and available supports
A recommended behaviour: shifting activity to this part of the day to reduce heat exposure.
What is early morning or evening
This service can be called (2-1-1) to connect clients to community supports like transit, food, and cooling spaces.
What is Sources BC / 2‑1‑1?
Mental health clinicians should flag these two medication types that heighten risk.
What are mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium) and antipsychotics
Heat can worsen isolation. Encourage clients to build this kind of informal network to check in with.
What is a social support or peer network