SOOKE – New Democrat MLAs Ravi Parmar and Mitzi Dean say more young people will have better access to vital health care services, including primary care, counselling, early intervention, prevention and addictions supports closer to home with a new Foundry centre on the way on the West Shore.

“When you’re in need of care, a welcoming, stigma-free space can make all the difference,” said Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca. “For young people in our community, having a Foundry in their area will mean they will know where to turn when it’s most important.”

Sooke and the West Shore has been awarded $1.5 million in provincial funding for a Foundry centre, and joins 25 other communities with centres that are already open or in development across B.C.

“Youth in Sooke and the West Shore will be able to find help when they need it with the creation of a new Foundry centre,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin. “This will be another service to help ensure young people and their families can thrive here in our region.”

Approximately 75 per cent of serious mental health issues emerge before age 25, and the pandemic, global uncertainty, and climate emergencies continue to disproportionately impact young people, resulting in increased rates of depression and anxiety.

Foundry centres are a critical part of the province’s work to address this increasing need for supports by offering young people ages 12-24 and their families access to free and confidential services including mental health and addiction counselling, physical and sexual health care, peer support and social services.

The Province continues to build on Budget 2023 investments of $236 million in new and expanded addictions care for youth and young adults, including almost $75 million for Foundry expansion and enhanced services.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/30397