Research shows that no province or territory is spending what they should be on mental health. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Vancouver, BC (November 19, 2024) — Through a first-of-its-kind report, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is providing an in-depth look at the mental health system in Canada — with all its strengths and failings — […]Continue readingThe state of mental health in Canada? It’s alarming, a new Canadian Mental Health Association report finds.
VANCOUVER, BC (October 3, 2024) – Today, the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division (CMHA BC) and a growing network of community partners across the province are launching BCWeCare, a bold new campaign with the goal of making mental health care a priority in the upcoming provincial election on October 19. Almost a million people […]Continue readingNEWS RELEASE: BCWeCare: Community Partners Come Together to Champion Mental Health Ahead of BC Provincial Election
VANCOUVER, BC – (September 18, 2024): On September 15, 2024, Premier Eby announced that his government is expanding involuntary care for people with brain injury, mental illness, and severe addiction. Included in this announcement are the addition of more than 400 hospital-based mental health beds and two new secure care facilities – one for those […]Continue readingInvoluntary Care Already Exists in BC, But Is It Working?
PRINCE GEORGE, BC – (July 25, 2024): People experiencing a mental-health or substance-use crisis in Prince George will soon have access to a new community-led Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT) to help them stabilize and find the support they need. “PACT provides immediate, compassionate help from those who have walked a similar path,” said Jennifer […]Continue readingMental-health crisis team launches in Prince George
POWELL RIVER, BC – (July 15, 2024): Men living on the Sunshine Coast will soon have access to more addiction treatment options with 12 new supportive recovery beds in Powell River. “Given that there are many pathways into addiction, we need to be there to provide just as many pathways for people to recover,” said Jennifer […]Continue readingMore addiction treatment services coming for people on the Sunshine Coast
CMHA BC’s Statement on recriminalize use of illicit drugs in public spaces Since 2016, when the toxic drug crisis was recognized as a public health emergency, we have lost over 14,000 community members and loved ones in BC to an unpredictable supply of illicit substances cut with a myriad of unknown and dangerous additives. This […]Continue readingResisting Stigma: A Call for a Compassionate Public Health Approach to Drug Policy and Services
LANGLEY – (April 18, 2024): The agricultural sector in British Columbia faces unique challenges, ranging from isolation to financial pressures, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced mental health support. AgSafe and CMHA BC are pleased to announce the official launch of AgLife (https://aglife.ca/), a suicide prevention and mental health awareness initiative that will offer the […]Continue readingEmpowering Farmers: Introducing Innovative Mental Health Initiative AgLife and Expanded Counselling Services
LUMBY – (April 16, 2024): People living with addiction can better access free treatment and recovery services and closer to home. “It’s devastating to see so many lives being lost to the toxic-drug crisis,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “When someone makes the brave decision to reach out for help, they […]Continue readingMore addictions care coming for people in the Interior
VICTORIA, BC – (February 22, 2024): Mental health and substance use (MHSU) funding announced today in the Province of BC’s (‘the Province’) 2024 Budget will see $215M more allocated into MHSU care over the next three years. After a historic investment of $1 billion into MHSU care in Budget 2023, CMHA BC is grateful to […]Continue readingBC Budget 2024: Sustained investments in mental health and substance use care, with key opportunities for improvement
VANCOUVER – (January 25, 2024): More people with addiction challenges can now access treatment and recovery options free of charge and closer to home with the addition of 180 publicly funded treatment and recovery beds throughout the province. “People need to be able to access treatment and recovery services close to where they live, without […]Continue readingRecord expansion of treatment options will support more people with addictions