Invest to build an affordable and accessible mental healthcare system where cost is not a barrier to seeking help.
Allocate $1.0 billion over a four-year cycle to address mental health care within the medical services plan. Funding should be provided for a comprehensive suite of initiatives including:
- Establishing accessible mental health treatment options for all those struggling with anxiety or depression.
- Early intervention, youth mental health initiatives, integrated primary care specific to youth and mental health enabling families to easily navigate resources in a supportive environment.
- Community based options for responding to those who need mental healthcare and their families such as Clubhouse International.
- Enhanced counselling outreach services to work with the homeless community.
Allocate $200 million per year to invest in facilities to provide mental healthcare services and community-based centres for mental health and rehabilitation; and, accelerate capital plans for construction of tertiary care facilities and detoxification beds. Protect operating funding for facilities.
Develop and implement a Loneliness Strategy.
Conduct a public information campaign to increase awareness and provide information on where to get help.
— From The BC Greens' Plan for a More Equitable and Sustainable BC.
Focus new mental health initiatives on kids and young adults: We've developed an initial mental health approach that focuses on addressing problems early, before they become too big. Moving forward, we'll establish successful Foundry youth centres in more communities and dedicated mental health teams in school districts.
Develop Complex Care housing: We'll provide an increased level of support - including more access to nurses and psychiatrists - for BC's most vulnerable who need more intensive care than supportive housing provides, including in places like the Riverview lands in Coquitlam.
Expand access to counselling: By investing in new e-health and other technologies, we can bring mental health care to more people in all regions of BC - reducing counselling costs for people in rural and remote communities, in particular [...]
— From Working for You.
We will build new treatment, recovery, detox and after-care facilities across the province, including in communities with an expressed need such as Maple Ridge, with some beds specifically for British Columbians under age 24. We will also step up oversight of recovery homes and other private treatment providers to ensure quality care, accountability, and value for money.
— From Working for You.