The province has announced an investment into community-based mental health and addictions counselling services for adults in the Greater Victoria area.
The $85,000 investment was announced Monday, July 19th and will be led by the Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society.
The society offers free, short-term, community-based counselling for adults dealing with challenges, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss.
The new investment will provide individuals support and guidance from trained volunteer counsellors without needing a referral.
During the pandemic, the demand for counselling services doubled. The province said that due to the society’s volunteers and support from the province helped meet that need.
Within a year, about 15 new qualified diverse volunteers are trained, completing a 10-month training program.
“This is great news for people living in Esquimalt and throughout Greater Victoria who are looking for affordable mental health and addictions counselling,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin and Minister of Children and Family Development.
“By investing in more counselling services, our government is bringing help and hope to even more people and families, free of cost, which supports our vibrant community.”
