NANAIMO – New Democrat MLA Doug Routley says that First Nations people on Snuneymuxw territory, as well as Snuneymuxw members living away from home, will continue to benefit from low and no-cost counselling services with the extension of funding.

“The discoveries of unmarked graves at residential school sites have opened or re-opened wounds for many Indigenous people in our community,” said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “During an already difficult few years, this is another reminder of how important mental health services are, and I am glad that Snuneymuxw First Nation will be able to continue supporting people with counselling services.” 

Snuneymuxw First Nation is among 49 local community partners 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. 

Learn More: 

For a complete list of all funded community counselling agencies, visit:  https://caibc.ca/ccfprofiles/