Whereas increasing mental health and addiction issues amongst youth 18 - 28 years, combined with a lack of mental health and addictions resources and services, is a growing problem in local governments across British Columbia: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government to provide improved resourcing and facilities for youth mental health and addictions services throughout the province; And be it further resolved that the province report out on deliverables and results of expenditures on mental health and addictions supports for youth with an analysis of the effectiveness of implemented programs.
Ministry of Health Young people in BC need mental health and substance use services that fit their needs and thats why Government is improving care and expanding access to treatment and recovery so youth can live healthy, full lives. Foundry BC and Integrated Child and Youth ICY Teams provide coordinated, community-based mental health and substance use supports alongside primary care, peer support, and social services for children, youth, and young adults. Foundry BC serves young people aged 12 to 24 and their families through walk-in and virtual services with no referral or appointment required, with 19 centres currently open, 16 in development, and 12 additional centres funded through Budget 2023, a total of 35 centres will be available province-wide when complete. ICY Teams support children and youth from early years to age 19, and up to age 21 for those already receiving services, using a cross-ministry, multidisciplinary approach, with 39 teams operating or in implementation across 20 school districts. Government is expanding youth substance use YSU services and implementing the made-in-BC Road to Recovery R2R model across the full spectrum of care in every health authority. As of September 2025, BC has 205 community-based YSU beds, with 110 added since 2017. Working with health authorities, were expanding non-bed-based services, including crisis supports, culturally safe wraparound care, improved ER and hospital-based care, and discharge planning, building on 33 new and expanded YSU services funded in Budget 2021. R2R establishes a continuum of care for people with moderate to severe substance use disorders from detox to treatment and aftercare. It was piloted in the Vancouver region in fall 2023, and was expanded to all health regions in July 2024 to include same-day clinical assessment and service matching through Access Central, up to 100 new substance use treatment beds including new detox beds over three years, and new or expanded outpatient services. To support transparency and accountability in mental health and substance use services, health authorities report service utilization and bed availability to the Ministry, with public reporting provided through semi-annual Mental Health and Substance Use Data Snapshots and independent evaluations of major initiatives such as Road to Recovery. A draft Provincial Child, Youth and Young Adult Substance Use and Wellness Framework is in development and identifies data integration and performance measurement as tools to improve youth services. Accountability is further supported through public responses to recommendations from the Representative for Children and Youth, and commitments under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.