B.C. government gives details on mental health and addictions support funding

The B.C. government is laying out more details of what the new money for mental health and addictions support will do for the province.

A massive increase in funding was announced in Budget 2023, with $1 billion in new cash to expand services. This is up from the promises made the previous year when the BC NDP announced $10 million for this sector over three years.

Read More: BC Budget 2023: Delivering on renters’ rebate, mental health and addictions supports

Those on the front line say the funds will amount to a seismic change.

One addictions expert, speaking in a news conference at Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Hospital, says the investment in mental health signifies to her that the B.C. government understands the vast scope of what needs to be done to close the gap between harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.

“One in every six patients hospitalized here has a substance use disorder. Requests for an addictions medicine consult have increased by more than 200 per cent in just the past five years alone,” Dr. Seonaid Nolan, the division head of Providence Health Care’s Interdepartmental Division of Addiction Medicine and a clinician scientist at the BC Centre on Substance Use, said.

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The province has put aside $586 million of the $1 billion specifically for treatment and recovery, and 195 beds are set to be put in place almost immediately.

“One-hundred new, publicly-funded community adult substance-use treatment and recovery beds with no fees for British Columbians; a new model of seamless care to support people through their entire recovery journey with 95 beds, with plans to expand this model to three more sites in B.C.,” a release said.

Nolan says this shift means that overall, people are more likely to get the help they need, where they need it, and when they are ready for it.

She says she believes the shift in support and approach will make a difference in the toxic drug crisis.

“For the first time in a very long time, I am hopeful this investment will mean we can start to close the gaps between harm reduction treatment and recovery,” she said.

Premier David Eby says the goal is to help reduce wait times for people who need help.

“It’s essential that people who struggle with mental health and addiction can find and stay connected to the care they need quickly,” Eby said.

Minister of Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside says that although there is more to be done, she says that it is imperative that supports are ready for when people take the step to reach out.

“When someone makes the brave decision to reach out for help, it’s vital the right services are in place to meet them,” she said.

Additionally, there will be four community recovery sites for aftercare services to help with continued support.

“We need to be able to provide treatment and recovery for patients when they want and need it most – providing a responsive and integrated system of care, which seamlessly supports patients through treatment and recovery,” Fiona Dalton, the president and CEO of Providence Health Care, said.

“So often there is only a tiny window of opportunity to respond to patients when they ask for help.”

-With files from Hana Mae Nassar