B.C. expands Foundry mental health, substance use services to 8 communities

VICTORIA – The B.C. government is expanding its mental health and substance use services for youth and their families to eight more communities.

Judy Darcy, the minister of mental health and addictions, says the additional centres mean 19 locations throughout the province with have access to the Foundry program.

The new centres will be in Burns Lake, Comox Valley, Cranbrook, Langley, Squamish, Surrey, Port Hardy and Williams Lake.

Darcy says the centres will offer increased access to the services for young people between the ages of 12 and 24.

She says each centre will offer walk-in access to counsellors, mental health and substance use services, family supports, social services and primary care, all at the same location.

The ministry says 9,770 youth used Foundry services last year and the centres recorded more than 35,000 visits.

“No matter which centre you visit, whether you visit in person or virtually, youth and their families get a sense of community, they get a sense of belonging,” Darcy said at a news conference.

“They can access services from qualified professionals and very importantly they can get the support they need directly from their peers.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2020.