The Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division is welcoming a $6.7 million investment from the provincial government to extend funding for the Community Counselling Fund (CCF), which provides no and low-cost mental health supports across the province.
The grants will go towards 44 organizations across the province, and will sustain access to mental health and substance use support for more B.C. residents by integrating counselling into familiar local spaces, such as neighbourhood houses and friendship centres, in their own communities.
CCF-funded counselling means more individuals, couples and families on low incomes or facing other barriers can receive mental health support for the first time.
A Canadian study of publicly-funded psychotherapy for major depressive disorders found that for every $1 spent on therapy, the public health care system saves about $2 on average.
“This significant funding investment is tremendous news for mental health support across B.C., and building on this success with multi-year allocations would further strengthen program sustainability,” noted the CMHA in a release.
They added that sustained, multi-year core funding for community organizations is vital to ensure stable access to mental health support and help these valuable programs reach their full potential across the province.
RELATED: Province extends free, affordable community counselling services
Erin Haluschak has been a journalist in British Columbia since 2008. She has worked in print, magazines and online spaces and is a mentor with Digital Women Leaders through the Online News Association…
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