Young people living in the Comox Valley will soon have access to new mental health services with the opening of Foundry Comox Valley.
The new Foundry centre will provide mental health, wellness and substance-use services to young people between the ages of 12 and 24, along with their families.
The services will be free, confidential and age-friendly and fit the unique needs of the community, according to the government.
Foundry Comox Valley will become the 12th Foundry centre to open in British Columbia and will be operated by The John Howard Society of North Island in collaboration with community partners.
In addition to mental health and wellness services, the Foundry Comox Valley will offer primary and sexual health care, youth and family peer support and social services.
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“Young people have been dealing with immense pressures and health challenges, which have only been made worse as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the toxic-drug crisis, and climate-related emergencies,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “With the opening of Foundry Comox Valley, more young people will be able to get health, wellness and substance-use supports that meet their needs.”
The Province is providing annual funding toward operations and services at Foundry Comox Valley and has provided one-time funding of $800,000 toward the establishment of the centre. The John Howard Society of North Island is raising the remaining $1.4 million required for the centre’s establishment with support from the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island and many community champions.
“We’re so heartened by the commitment of the Foundry Comox Valley team to ensuring that its young people and those who care for them have access to health and wellness services,” said Steve Mathias, executive director, Foundry. “A lot of work and engagement of young people and families goes into building and operating these centres. What you see today is a testament to an incredible commitment by the community to this new centre.”
In addition to the Foundry Comox Valley centre, there are 11 centres open throughout the province, in Vancouver-Granville, North Shore (North Vancouver), Campbell River, Ridge Meadows, Abbotsford, Kelowna, Prince George, Victoria, Penticton, Richmond and Terrace.
An additional seven new Foundry centres are in development in Burns Lake, East Kootenay (Cranbrook), Langley, Port Hardy, Sea to Sky (Squamish), Surrey and Cariboo-Chilcotin (Williams Lake). In addition, Foundry virtual services can be accessed from anywhere in the province through the Foundry BC app or website, or by phone.
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