DAWSON CREEK -- Families in Peace River South will have access to new mental-health and addiction services as the province expands its Integrated Child and Youth teams into the region.
The program will see counselling teams work with local school districts and hospitals to provide access to mental-health, wellness, and addictions resources.
“"It's a critical time for us to really support youth. I talk to so many adults who have more severe mental health and substance use challenges and those issues that they're dealing with now started when they were young,” said Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside in an interview with CJDC-TV.
The teams will provide children and young adults up to the age of 19 with a single point of access where they can access resources including peer and cultural supports.
“We think we'll start to see a real a real shift and a real improvement in child and youth mental health,” said Whiteside.
Whiteside says the ministry is working closely with B.C.’s school system to effectively talk to kids about the risks associated with the illicit drug supply.
According to the ministry, it is estimated that 75 per cent of serious mental-health issues materialize before the age of 25.
In British Columbia, drug toxicity is the leading cause of death for youth aged 15 to 18 while suicide ranks as second.
The province will be investing $101 million to implement the ICY teams across the province over the next three years.
The teams are currently assisting youth in eight communities across the province.
Whiteside says given the expansive geographic of school districts in South Peace, the ministry is still in its planning phase with no timeline being announced as to when the teams will begin working in the region.
Once the program is expanded, the ministry says ICY teams will serve as many as 7500 children and youth a month.
“Young people face more complex challenges than ever and it is imperative for them to connect to the right services when they need help,” said Whiteside.
