The Canadian Mental Health Association says the provinces new mental health, substance use and addictions plan is a great start.

BC Division CEO Jonny Morris says the CMHA applauds the shift towards mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention.

“We’re all responding to the opioid overdose emergency. In addition to the immediate response, is going to be building a system that can get addictions care to people right away,” he said. “Children and youth and Indigenous people experience the most inequity arguable when it comes to access to service, and so trying to grapple with that inequity right away is important.”

Morris says the CMHA is looking forward to working with the government to ensure people in BC see real change when they need it, and that this is not just another plan.

“Working with government to ensure that this isn’t the last work on what needs to to happen in this province to make sure that we get closer to mental health for all,” Morris added. “Really keeping the conversation and dialogue open about what needs to continue to get us to that future.”

He thinks there will be a need for future funding to get the plan from a vision to a reality, as well as more details from the province on how their work will be evaluated to bring this plan to fruition.

“We need to work proactively so people stay healthy in the first place,” said Morris. “That is no small shift, but it is imperative we get there, and this plan is a great beginning point.”