Whereas the negative mental health and addiction impacts on British Columbians associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have further intensified the pre-existing challenges faced by community mental health services to keep pace with the needs of our communities, as evidenced by several past UBCM-endorsed resolutions; And whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has created a need for additional provincial funding resources to support the increased demand on already-stretched community services, including emergency services and front line workers: Therefore be it resolved that the Government of BC increase funding for additional community mental health and addiction resources to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions To ensure people in British Columbia have increased access to vital community mental health services through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, the Province made a historic 500 million investment in Budget 2021 that is focused on building a comprehensive system of mental health and addictions care. This funding is critically important to turn the tide on the overdose crisis, improve wellness for young people and families, and address the gaps in mental health and addictions services emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic at the community level. New investments also support enhanced virtual services for people in BC, with a focus on adults, youth, and front-line health care workers whose mental health has been impacted by the pandemic. These new and expanded services will provide more options for people living with mental health challenges who are currently unable to access in-person supports. Our government is also pursuing commitments to invest in community-based mental health and social services to better support people in crisis as well as free up police and other front-line emergency services to focus on work in their core mandates. We are looking at various approaches, in BC and beyond, with the end goal of developing an approach to mental health crisis response that meets the needs of individuals in crisis, their families, and communities. The Province is also planning the implementation of Complex Care Housing in communities across BC, a suite of services and supports aimed at ensuring people with significant mental health, substance use and other complexities attain safe and stable housing as a foundation to thrive. These services and supports will be person-centred and community-driven. A Pathway to Hope, released in 2019, sets the 10-year vision for a new system of mental health and substance use care, with an emphasis on prevention, promotion, early intervention and integrated services, that builds on existing initiatives and implements new, innovative approaches. Government will continue to invest in building a comprehensive system of mental health and addictions care that works for everyone in BC. As A Pathway to Hope progresses, British Columbians who are experiencing mental health and substance use challenges and their families will see further improvements in access and quality of care as the system strengthens and evolves.