Following an era of uncertainty surrounding the last provincial election and re-organization of ministries, it was confirmed last month that adults living with mental-health challenges will continue to have access to low- or no-cost counselling services to help them get well.
“When someone takes the courageous step of reaching out for mental-health support, services must be there for them,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Over the past six years, thousands of people across B.C. have received low- and no-cost counselling, many for the very first time. With this investment, we’re ensuring that people can continue to find affordable, life-changing mental-health care when they need it most.”
Salt Spring Island was one of the 44 communities in the province benefitting from the program delivered through the Community Action Initiative with the Community Counselling program at Island Community Services.
The Community Action Initiative (CAI), which is a non-profit organization that provides grant and training opportunities for organizations across B.C., administers the funding through the Community Counselling Fund in partnership with the provincial Ministry of Health.
The Community Counselling Program provides one-to-one, short-term supportive mental health and substance use counselling to individuals age nineteen and over in a confidential setting. Individuals can name goals, discuss personal issues and develop plans to meet their self-identified needs.
The program aims towards helping people reach their full health potential and helping to ensure that they are not disadvantaged in attaining it because of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, social class, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation or other barriers.
On Salt Spring Island, the service is available through Island Community Services at the main office at 268 Fulford-Ganges Road. Contact (250) 537-9971
Service can be accessed through physician, community agency, RCMP, inter-agency, community or self-referral.
