7 B.C. school districts to add mental health support teams, bringing total to 12
British Columbia is expanding mental-health and substance-use services for children and youth by adding new multi-disciplinary teams to seven school districts.
The provincial mental health and addictions ministry announced plans to bolster its Integrated Child and Youth teams on Thursday, bringing the total number of participating school districts to 12. The teams support those aged 19 and under.
“From the toxic drug crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change, there’s a lot going on for kids these days and we know that each new challenge increases the need for support,” Minister Jennifer Whiteside said at a news conference in Mission.
That city, along with Hope, Harrison, Agassiz, Trail, Mission, Nanaimo-Ladysmith, Salmon Arm, Port Alberni and Power River will all benefit from the new teams.
Prior to Thursday’s announcement by the provincial government, B.C. already had five ICY teams in school districts covering Richmond, Terrace, Hazelton, Oliver and the Comox Valley.
ICY TEAM GOALS
According to the ministry, these teams may include clinical counsellors connected to schools, youth substance-use clinicians, child and youth mental-health clinicians and Indigenous elders.
“The approach of their work is to put the needs of each child at the centre and then to wrap the services around the child so that no one falls through the cracks,” Whiteside said.
“The point of these teams, really, is to meet kids where they’re at. Where they feel safe and comfortable in regular settings—whether it’s schools, or clinics, parks or homes.”
Bob D'Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission, says early interventions are essential to helping children and youth thrive.
"As a father of five and advocate for increased resources for schools, I welcome the ICY teams to our communities,” D’Eith said in a statement released following Thursday’s announcement.
A PATHWAY TO HOPE PROGRESS
The province launched a three-year action plan for improving mental health and addictions services, dubbed A Pathway to Hope, back in June 2019—with a key focus on early intervention.
B.C.’s 2021 budget included funding to expand ICY teams to a total of 20 school districts by the end of 2024. The government anticipated these seven new teams, plus the eight that have yet to be established, will be staffed by over 410 new full time employees.
Provincial data shows nearly 13 per cent of children between four and 18 years are affected by mental-health disorders, and just over 44 per cent of those receive services.
Data released by BC Coroners Service this week shows 65 children and youth have died from suspected illicit drug overdose between 2020-2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.