A new Foundry centre is on the way for Chilliwack to help connect youth with mental health and addiction supports before the challenges become roadblocks.

Chilliwack awarded $1.5 million to set up a new Foundry, joining several other communities where these youth-centred resources are already open, or in development across B.C.

鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing more important than helping kids and their families. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e making a significant expansion in child and youth health and wellness supports so more young people can get connected to the services they need,鈥� said Jennifer Whiteside, minister of mental health and addictions.

Foundry provides free and confidential youth services like mental health and addiction counselling, physical and sexual health care, peer support and social services.

New Foundry centres are coming to Chilliwack, South Surrey, Burnaby, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Quesnel, Sooke-Westshore, Vancouver, Vanderhoof and the West Kootenays.

The approach by Foundry offers 鈥渁 welcoming, stigma-free place鈥� for young people to connect to health supports to address mental-health and addiction challenges before they become roadblocks.

Officials with the Chilliwack Youth Health Centre said they are 鈥渆xcited to hear鈥� that Chilliwack is getting this type of health care support created just for youth: 鈥淲e look forward to partnering with Fraser Health in the development of a Chilliwack Foundry.鈥�

Local MLAs say it will mean better access to care focused on early intervention, prevention and addictions supports, all closer to home.

鈥淭here has been an outpouring of support and advocacy for more youth services here in Chilliwack, and I am thrilled that soon we鈥檒l have more resources to help young people who might be struggling,鈥� said Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent. 鈥淭he compassionate people here who work and volunteer with youth and care so much about our community will help ensure that this new Foundry centre can make an incredible impact.鈥�

Approximately 75 per cent of serious mental health issues emerge before age 25, and the pandemic, global uncertainty, and climate emergencies continue to disproportionately impact young people, resulting in increased rates of depression and anxiety.

鈥淚nvesting in our youth is one of the most important things we can do to strengthen our community, said Dan Coulter, MLA for Chilliwack. 鈥淔oundry centres across the province have already helped so many young people, and this new centre will make a real difference for youth here in Chilliwack.鈥�

It鈥檚 geared to young people aged 12-24, and their families or guardians.

鈥淎ccessing care can be overwhelming, especially if you鈥檙e young, and this centre means that youth in Chilliwack can have a one-stop-shop to get on track with the care they need,鈥� said Tzeachten Chief Derek Epp.

FVRD Chair Jason Lum says local advocates have been striving toward this big announcement.

鈥淭his is great news for Chilliwack and the region. I know how hard local advocates worked to make the case for a Foundry, this provincial investment will be welcome, and go a long way to ensure young people who need supports aren鈥檛 being left behind.鈥�

School Trustee Teri Westerby noted: 鈥淪tronger services for youth is indeed something to celebrate. There are young people in our community who really struggle with mental health and addictions issues and these additional supports will help expand the scope of care and help youth in Chilliwack with a hopeful and happy future.鈥�

Almost 18,000 B.C. youth were helped by Foundry last year with 14,987 young people who came for in-person services at Foundry Centres, and another 2,580 who accessed Foundry Virtual services.

Foundry director Steve Mathias said it鈥檚 about allowing youth to express who they are, and live life on their own terms.

鈥淵oung people, now more than ever, desperately need safe spaces where they can access mental-health, physical-health, substance-use, and social services without feeling judged or stigmatized,鈥� Mathias said. 鈥淭here is still a lot of work to be done, and Foundry will continue our unwavering commitment to revolutionize the health and wellness landscape for young people.鈥�