CASTLEGAR – New Democrat MLA Katrine Conroy says that people in the West Kootenay and Boundary regions will continue to benefit from low and no-cost counselling services with the extension of funding for a local community agency.

“The impacts of colonial policies continue to take a serious toll on the mental health of Indigenous peoples,” said Katrine Conroy. “The Circle of Indigenous Nation Society works to support those on their healing journey. They are there for people when they need it, and I’m glad we’re able to support them continuing their work.”

The Circle of Indigenous Nations Society is among 49 local community agencies in B.C. that are receiving extended funding to continue their community counselling service. The New Democrat government is investing $4.2 million to support this ongoing service for people across the province.

This funding builds on investments that New Democrats have been making since 2019 to reduce barriers to mental health supports for people throughout the province. During the pandemic, additional funding was provided to more community counselling organizations to help them offer these vital services virtually. Since 2019, over 100,000 counselling sessions have been provided to people as a result.

Expansion of affordable community counselling services is one way government is improving access and quality of care, and it is a key pillar outlined in A Pathway to Hope, B.C.’s roadmap for creating a seamless, comprehensive system of mental-health and addictions care that works for everyone.