Thursday, March 28, 2024

BC announces integrated mental health support services for Comox Valley School District

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The provincial ministry of Mental Health and Addictions has announced that students at the Comox Valley School District will soon have access to more streamlined mental health care services.

According to a statement today, Comox Valley has been selected as the second school district in the province to implement a new “one-care” integrated mental health and substance abuse service delivery model.

See also: New mental health and addictions care facility opening in North Saanich next week

This means students suffering from mental health and/or substance use challenges will be able to access all the supports they need at school, rather than have to retell their stories to different care providers or search for resources on their own.

“For far too long, families have had to knock on door after door to get the help they need for their children,” said Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

“These integrated child and youth teams will make it so much easier to connect young people to the help they need, where and when they need it.”

The delivery model integrates school and team-based primary care and specialized services providers to offer comprehensive support for students.

See also: Island Health opens new mental health and substance use clinic in Langford

Earlier this year, the province also announced an investment of $8.87 million over the next three years for schools to enhance and introduce a range of mental wellness programs across all 60 school districts.

“It’s crucial we support wellness and mental health in schools, so kids can focus on reaching their full potential,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education.

“As teams are put in place in more school districts throughout B.C., students and families will have more accessible, integrated mental-health supports in their schools and in their communities.”

The first team of integrated mental health delivery in BC was established in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows in July 2019.

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Brishti Basu
Former Senior Staff Writer and Content Manager at Victoria Buzz.

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