Intervening early
Intervening early to help people access care sooner.
Foundry
Young people deserve the best possible start in life but the last few years have not been easy on young people. Studies have shown us that youth were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
To help connect youth to peers and the support they need, Government is expanding Foundry Centres across the Province.
Foundry is a province-wide network of youth wellness centres, in partnership with local community organizations and online supports that removes barriers, and provides free and confidential mental health and addiction supports, as well as physical and sexual health care, peer support and social services to young people between the ages of 12-24 – all in one location.
There are Foundry centres open in 16 communities across the province, with 19 more centres in development. This will result in a total of 35 centres province-wide once complete.
To find a Foundry centre near you, visit foundrybc.ca
For those who cannot access a Foundry centre, Foundry provides provincial virtual services through the Foundry BC App, by phone or through the foundrybc.ca website.
Integrated Child and Youth Teams
Families in B.C. are facing huge challenges right now. Rising inflation and interest rates have created more financial stress and worry for many families. Families deserve strong and integrated health care services so they can get the help they need, when they need it, including access to mental health and substance use supports, prevention and early intervention, where every door is the right door.
The Province is creating new Integrated Child and Youth (ICY) teams in communities across British Columbia. ICY teams work to fill gaps in mental health and substance use care, removing roadblocks, bringing providers together and delivering better care.
On the ground, these teams help families navigate services and provide mental health and substance use supports for children and youth.
Children, youth and families are already benefiting from ICY Teams being implemented in 12 school districts across the province, with more to come.
Community counselling
When people make the courageous decision to reach out for help, vital services need to be accessible and available. Government is working to ensure people from all walks of life, including those in rural, remote and Indigenous communities, can access free or low-cost counselling services, when and where they need it.
Since 2019, people in British Columbia can access affordable community counselling through 49 agencies throughout the province through $35 million in funding.
Community counselling provides flexibility for counsellors to truly meet clients where they are at, whether that’s through outreach, in person counselling or through virtual supports.
To find counselling services near you, visit Community Action Initiative Community Counselling Grants (caibc.ca)
Confident Parents/Thriving Kids
Raising a child doesn’t come with a manual or a playbook. There are times when parents need to access help to guide a child through a difficult time in their life.
Confident Parents, Thriving Kids offers telephone-based supports for parents of children (aged three to 12 years) with anxiety and behavioural challenges.
The programs, delivered by the Canadian Mental Health Association-B.C. Division, coach parents on childhood anxiety and behavioural issues that may arise during specific situations, such as getting ready for the day or being dropped off at school.
The phone-based coaching empowers parents, helping them develop skills and strategies to help support their child. Learn more by visiting welcome.cmhacptk.ca
School Mental Health Supports
Since 2020, students receive more education and support to promote positive mental health and well-being.
We Are Indigenous: Big Worries/Fears Parent/Caregiver Support Program
Building off the evidence-base and success of the Confident Parents Thriving Kids Anxiety Program, the development of the Big Worries/Fears program was guided, created, and developed through Indigenous perspectives for Indigenous families.
This program acknowledges the strong spiritedness of Indigenous families, the importance of supporting First Nations in their wellness wisdoms, as well as the disruptive influences of colonization on Indigenous families.
Mental health and substance use services in primary care settings
Providing mental health and substance use care is a vital part of B.C.’s health care system. That’s why Government has made investments to add and expand inpatient mental health units or dedicated mental health zones in emergency departments in at least 10 hospitals across the province, with more to come.
Same-day mental health services are provided in a number of Urgent and Primary Care Centres across the province, where primary care physicians, psychiatrists, nurses and other mental health and substance use specialists are available 365 days per year.