The BC government has announced what it says will be a “seamless system” to help people with mental health or addiction challenges.

The 10-year-plan called ‘A Pathway to Hope’ will aim to integrate mental health and addictions care in the province, while being aimed at quickly assisting and supporting those in need.

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Judy Darcy says focusing on the more urgent priorities will greatly reduce the demand for services in the future.

“There is no question, to get to a place where you can truly can ask once and get help fast, where ever door truly is the right door, will require a fundamental transformation from where we are today, and it will take time,” she said.

The first three years of the plan will focus on four priority areas – including a focus on the wellness of children, youth and young adults, supporting Indigenous-led solutions and improving the quality of care while removing barriers, such as the cost of long-term counselling.

“Dramatic expansion of affordable counselling in communities so that the size of your bank account does not determine whether you have access to mental health counselling,” Darcy added. “That’s a game changer in this province. So many people can’t access mental health counselling because they can’t afford it, and that’s wrong and that is going to change.”

The fourth priority will establish improved systems of addictions care, building on work done already to address the overdose crisis.

“We have the professionalism and the dedication of the people on the front line who have done heroic work bridging the gap when services are often inadequate and giving of their all in order to provide the best possible service,” she said. “And we have the courage of people with lived experience which have helped to show us the way forward.”

Darcy says the NDP government has already committed $2.5-billion for mental health and substance abuse services.