B.C. invests in youth addiction supports

A new pilot project with BC Children’s Hospital is offering youth with addiction challenges more support both in and out of hospital settings.

In a news release Wednesday from the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, it says the B.C. government is investing $1.73 million in the Dan’s Legacy Foundation.

The money will go toward supporting 10 therapists, two social workers, and four youth outreach workers to “provide counselling and other supports to vulnerable young people living with mental health and addiction challenges.”

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Jennifer Whiteside, says the goal is to prevent mental health and addiction challenges from becoming entrenched.

“I hear from families and front-line workers that when young people with addiction challenges are in hospital, they can sometimes be released without any connection to supports in the community,” she said.

Having a therapist come in to connect directly with the youth immediately in the hospital is the first step in helping to divert youth from a potentially deadly trajectory. pic.twitter.com/VRd16kAuXS

— Dan’s Legacy (@DansLegacyBC) June 28, 2023

Whiteside says the foundation, which currently provides vulnerable youth support in the community, will be working with the hospital to give after-hours counselling and support that will continue when patients are released.

“Supporting youth in basic life skills, it’s really stabilization so youth can start to build their life and live a good, and healthy and happy life,” she added.

“As part of the agreement, when a young person aged 15 to 25 is admitted to BC Children’s Hospital emergency department and asks for help, they will be able to access counselling and other supports from Dan’s Legacy’s social workers, outreach workers and therapists, along with followup services to help them transition back to their community,” a news release reads.

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“We know there’s a small window of opportunity to connect with the youth when they ask for help, and ensure they receive the full measure of trauma-informed support necessary for recovery. This funding from the Province allows us to increase our capacity to fully meet that need,” Barbara Coates, the executive director of Dan’s Legacy, said.

The hospital will also be tracking patients who participate to see outcomes and from there decisions will be made about what comes next.