Whereas mental health and substance use challenges affect individuals, families, workplaces, and community safety, and rural and remote communities often face barriers to care, including limited counselling and psychiatric services, wait times, travel requirements, and challenges in crisis response; And whereas evidence-informed prevention, early intervention, and community-based supportscoordinated with schools, primary care, Indigenous partners, social services, and law enforcementcan improve outcomes and reduce pressure on emergency services: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to expand local mental health and substance use services in the northeast region, including counselling, crisis response, addictions support, and after-hours and virtual options where appropriate.
