The Province is enhancing supports in order to provide even better crisis line services for British Columbians.

Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement for National Addictions Awareness Week:

British Columbia has taken an important step forward to prevent drug poisoning deaths by applying to the federal government to remove criminal penalties for people who possess small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use.

If you’re feeling grief, anxiety or stress around disasters and health emergencies, you’re not alone.

More British Columbians now have access to free and low-cost support for mental health and substance-use challenges with expanded funding for community-based counselling programs, including virtual sessions, throughout the province.

More children, teens and young adults will gain better access to mental health support through an investment to expand Stigma-Free programs and a special mental health toolkit.

Children and teens who are experiencing anxiety and stress because of the COVID-19 pandemic will benefit from new digital resources from Anxiety Canada to help them cope.

British Columbians who have family members living with serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, will benefit from expanded educational supports to help families thrive.