CMHA BC Applauds Provincial Government’s Transparent Reporting and Progress VANCOUVER, BC – (April 2, 2025): The Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA BC) commends the Government of British Columbia for its transparency and ongoing commitment to building a comprehensive mental health and substance use system of care, as detailed in the Ministry of Health’s […]Continue readingHope in Numbers: BC Makes Important Strides in Reporting on Mental Health and Substance Use Care
LONDON, ON – (March 19, 2025): Eight finalists have been announced by the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma for the 2024 Mindset Awards for Mental Health Reporting. For the Mindset Award for Reporting on the Mental Health of Young People the finalists, in order of publication or broadcast date, are: Ioanna Roumeliotis, with […]Continue readingFinalists chosen for the Mindset Awards 2024
The Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division renames innovative service providing community-led crisis response VANCOUVER, BC – (March 18, 2025): Since its official launch in 2023, the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division’s (CMHA BC) Peer Assisted Care Teams (PACT) have supported thousands of people experiencing a mental health crisis in BC. Developed in response […]Continue readingCRCL offers vital circle of support for people in crisis
VICTORIA, BC – (March 5, 2025): Amid economic pressures and a trade war between Canada and the U.S., the Province of BC (the Province) has tabled its 2025 budget, allocating $500M of net new funding for substance use treatment and recovery programs that are already underway. Building off previous budgets ($1B in 2023 and $215M in […]Continue readingBC Budget 2025: In the Face of Uncertain Economic Times, Budget 2025 Avoids Cuts to Services, Maintains Emphasis on Substance Use Treatment and Highlights a Need for More Investment in Mental Health
VANCOUVER, BC – (January 20, 2025): As many as 250 people with addictions challenges in B.C. will have more options to help them move toward recovery with newly opened substance-use treatment beds in their communities. “When someone reaches out for help with their substance use, they should receive compassionate and effective care,” said Josie Osborne, […]Continue readingMore substance-use treatment coming to B.C.
Four Ways to Care for Your Mental Health as 2024 Draws to a Close As we approach the final weeks of 2024, many are in the midst of a busy season of celebration and festivities. From family gatherings to a range of religious and cultural holidays, this time of year can be filled with meaningful […]Continue readingKeeping Mental Health at the Forefront
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