This holiday season, British Columbians are encouraged to give themselves and their loved ones the gift of putting mental health first.

Mental-health and substance-use challenges and disorders can happen to anyone, affecting people of all ages, income levels, professions and social classes.

Vulnerable people experiencing homelessness will now have access to additional safe shelter spaces during the cold winter months and times of extreme weather in communities around British Columbia.

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson and Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Shane Simpson have issued the following joint statement in recognition of Homelessness Action Week, Oct. 8-14:

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Judy Darcy has issued the following statement regarding Mental Illness Week, Oct. 1–7, 2017, and World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, 2017:

Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, issued the following statement today in response to the release of the Representative for Children and Youth’s report that investigated the suicide of a youth in 2015:

Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, issued the following statement regarding the proclamation of Recovery Week in British Columbia, Sept. 3-9, 2017:

Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has issued the following statement regarding two days that help bring attention to suicide prevention: Benefit for Life Day for positive mental health on Sept. 9, followed by World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10.

Fentanyl has been detected in more than four of every five illicit-drug overdose deaths in British Columbia through the first seven months of 2017, according to the latest statistics from the BC Coroners Service.