VANCOUVER – New Democrat MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert is welcoming funding to provide greater access to low and no-cost mental health and substance use supports in Vancouver-West End.

“Transforming our mental health system means investing in services like counselling and making it easier for people to get the help they need, when they need it,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLA for Vancouver-West End. “Together, with organizations like the Gordon Neighbourhood House, our government is working to remove the financial barriers that prevent people from getting the help they need.”

Gordon Neighbourhood House in Vancouver is receiving a grant to expand their free counselling program. Grants are being awarded to twenty-nine community organizations across B.C. through the Community Counselling grants program administered by Community Action Initiative.

MLA Chandra Herbert said that this funding will support a broad range of mental health and substance use services, including easy-to-access counselling with a focus on marginalized individuals and those who have faced barriers accessing the supports they need. He added that a third of all recipients will be servicing Indigenous communities.

MLA Chandra Herbert said that the BC New Democrat government is committed to providing faster access to mental health services, when and where people need it, and that this funding is part of A Pathway to Hope: A roadmap for improving mental health and addictions care for everyone in B.C.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019MMHA0108-002092