More young people and their families will have access to the mental health and addictions services and supports they need under one roof, as two new communities are added to the growing network of Foundry youth centres throughout the province.

Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, made the announcement at a Foundry knowledge sharing event in North Vancouver.

“Foundry centres make it easier for young people to find ‘the right door’ when it comes to accessing the mental health and addictions services they need,” said Darcy. “Growing this vital network of care for youth by adding Richmond and Terrace to the Foundry network will give more young people the support they need to create a future full of hope, happiness, and success.”

In 2017-18, the Ministry of Health provided additional base funding of $200,000 to each regional health authority to support the establishment of additional Foundry centres. The Ministry of Health has increased the base funding for each regional health authority to $1 million, to provide support for an additional five Foundry centres. Richmond Addictions Services and Terrace and District Community Services Society — lead agencies for the two new Foundry centres — will also each receive $200,000 in one-time funding from philanthropic sources to help establish their centres.

“Foundry centres offer vital and easily accessible early intervention services for youth and young adults who are struggling,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development. “The addition of two new Foundry locations will help broaden the safety net we are constructing for youth, making the right supports available for those who need it most.”

Site locations for the two new centres are being discussed to ensure accessible and convenient sites are chosen that meet the needs of local youth and their families.

Foundry centres provide young people, ages 12-24, who are living with mental health and addictions challenges, with a safe and judgement-free environment, where they can feel comfortable asking for help and accessing the services they need. The centres offer easy access to core services, including primary care, mental health and addictions services, youth and family peer support and navigation, and social services, such as employment supports.

In addition, Foundry works with the First Nations Health Authority, Aboriginal Friendship Centres and Indigenous communities — both at the provincial and local level — to ensure that culturally appropriate and culturally safe mental health and wellness supports are available at each centre.

Terrace and Richmond join nine other communities in the Foundry network: Kelowna, Vancouver (Granville and North Shore), Prince George, Campbell River, Victoria and Abbotsford, which have centres open, as well as Penticton and Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows, which have a centre in development.

Quotes:

Dr. Steve Mathias, executive director, Foundry —

“By offering a variety of wellness services in one place, Foundry centres help eliminate the stigma that can be associated with accessing help so we can reach young people earlier. We want to help young people address small issues before they become big ones and we’re excited to see the network expanded to the communities of Richmond and Terrace.”

Rick Dubras, executive director, Richmond Addiction Services —

"We are incredibly excited to join the provincial Foundry network. It is amazing to see such support that includes all levels of government, funders, our board of directors, staff and our community who have come together to see this project come to fruition. We are honoured to be the lead agency to represent our community and our partners in this initiative."

Michael McFetridge, executive director, Terrace and District Community Services Society —

“By bringing such an integrated team approach under one roof, the youth and families of Terrace and our region will now have a support system that will help them take the steps towards greater well-being and healthier futures. Our organization looks forward to working with our community partners and Foundry in this amazing endeavour.”

Learn More:

To learn more about Foundry, visit: https://foundrybc.ca/

To learn more about Richmond Addictions Services, visit: https://www.richmondaddictions.ca/

To learn more about Terrace & District Community Services Society, visit: https://www.tdcss.ca/