B.C. to see 12 new Foundry centres for mental health, addictions services

Young people and their families are set to see greater access to mental health and addiction services, as the B.C. government announced the creation of 12 more Foundry centres.

Through Budget 2023, the B.C. government says in a news release it is spending $75 million to add a dozen new centres, on top of the 15 that currently operate across the province.

The services are for people aged 12 to 24, along with their families and caregivers. They include supports like mental health and addiction counselling, physical and sexual health care, and peer support.

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside says young people have faced a number of challenges recently.

“There is just no question that all of us across our communities have been through a lot in the past few years. And we know that young people have disproportionately bore really the brunt of those challenges,” she said.

“From the toxic drug crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate anxiety, the impact of extreme weather, there is a lot going on for young people these days.”

Minister of Children and Family Development Mitzi Dean says accessing resources by going to a Foundry can be a good first step in getting help.

“For young people and their families, it is easier to take that very difficult first step of asking for help when there is a Foundry in their community,” she said.

“When a youth walks through the door, they get the wraparound, evidence-based care that Foundry BC has become known for, whether that be mental-health treatment, social services, peer support, primary and sexual health care or substance-use services. This announcement means even more young people across B.C. will have access to these vital services.”

The money is part of the more than $236 million that is set aside to create more services for young people.

With files from OMNI News