Young people in northeastern B.C. will soon have increased access to much-needed mental-health and substance-use supports, as a Foundry Centre comes to Fort St. John.

Once open, Foundry Fort St. John will offer young people between 12 and 24 youth-friendly, welcoming and appropriate services to fit their unique needs. It will include mental-health and substance use support, drop-in counselling, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer support and social services.

“Young people have been dealing with immense pressures and health challenges, which have only been made worse as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the toxic-drug crisis and climate-related emergencies,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “A new Foundry Centre for youth in Fort St. John will give young people a safe and judgment-free space to find mental-health, wellness and substance-use supports that meet their needs.”

Foundry Fort St. John, which will be operated by the Fort St. John Friendship Society, is the first of four new centres to be announced in the coming months. Twelve Foundry Centres are open throughout the province, including Vancouver-Granville, North Shore (North Vancouver), Campbell River, Ridge Meadows, Abbotsford, Kelowna, Prince George, Victoria, Penticton, Richmond, Terrace and Comox Valley.

“As Foundry continues to expand, we recognize the increased need to reach young people and those who care for them in communities across B.C.,” said Dr. Steve Mathias, executive director, Foundry. “The opening of Foundry in Fort St. John advances our shared vision to transform mental-health and substance-use supports in our province. We’re so excited to welcome Fort St. John to growing our network of Foundry centres.”

Information provided by the B.C. Government