(Image credit: Foundry BC)

By Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Kamloops Foundry Centre will help youth thrive

Aug 3, 2022 | 10:10 AM

WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DEALING with mental health or addiction challenges, early intervention is key. By helping them get care and support as soon as possible, we can stop small problems from becoming much bigger.

That is the principle behind Foundry centres, which we have been building and funding across the province. Kamloops will soon be home to our newest Foundry centre, offering youth free confidential mental health and substance use supports, along with primary and sexual healthcare.

Foundry centres serve youth ages 12 to 24. When a young person or their family walks into Foundry, they find welcoming, youth-friendly, age-appropriate services. The team works together with each young person to form a plan that fits their unique needs.

The last few years have been so challenging for kids and young people. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-related events, and the toxic drug crisis, people are dealing with added pressure on their mental health. The finding of unmarked graves on the grounds of former residential schools, beginning here in Kamloops, has also added to that strain, especially for Indigenous youth. We’ve seen that more and more young people are reaching out for help.

The majority of serious mental health problems emerge before the age of 25, so it’s crucial that we make mental health supports accessible to young people, when and where they need it. All Foundry centres provide walk-in hours for primary care and counselling.

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Interior Community Services (ICS) is our Foundry partner in Kamloops, and ICS will now focus on finding a space for the new centre, engaging with youth and their families until opening day and beyond.

Foundry Kamloops joins a network of 23 other Foundry centres open or in development around B.C. Children and youth can also access counselling, primary care, peer support, and group sessions online, no matter where they are in the province, through the Foundry BC app. Youth helped design the Foundry app too. And they’ve helped us build peer support into every service Foundry offers.

By bringing together different types of care and supports in one location, Foundry centres help promote wellness and give young people the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive.

Foundry centres are part of the continuum of mental health and substance use care our government is building. Last week, we announced that 35 new treatment and recovery beds are coming to the Interior, to provide more space where people struggling with addiction can get connected to life-saving services and supports. We are working hard to build the comprehensive system of mental health and addictions care that British Columbians need and deserve. Congratulations to the many community partners supporting Foundry coming to Kamloops and being part of that new system of care.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.