RICHMOND – New Democrat MLAs Henry Yao, Kelly Greene and Aman Singh say that people in Richmond will continue to benefit from low and no-cost counselling services with the extension of funding for a local community agency.

“The pandemic has reminded us how important it is for all British Columbians to have access to mental health support,” said Henry Yao, MLA for Richmond South Centre. “This funding will support the work of community agencies like Turning Point Recovery Society, who deliver much-needed care to people in Richmond and beyond.”

Turning Point Recovery 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.

“The pandemic, along with the toxic drug crisis, and recent discoveries at residential schools have been challenging for communities across B.C.,” said Kelly Greene, MLA for Richmond-Steveston. “Reducing barriers to mental health care is one of the ways we can support communities in their recovery as our government works to build back better.”

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.

“When people make the difficult decision to ask for help, I want them to know there are services for them that are culturally-sensitive and accessible,” said Aman Singh, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough. “I’m grateful for the resilience of community agencies and the ways they’ve adapted to care for people across the province.”

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: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022MMHA0006-000115

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