
More help is on the way for those struggling with addiction and mental health issues.
Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu said those in need will soon have access to eight publicly funded treatment spaces through Turning Points Collaborative Society.
“People need a safe, supportive environment to be able to recover from addictions and other mental health issues,” said Sandhu. “Addictions and recovery spaces can be very expensive, making individuals and families choose between getting themselves or their loved ones the help they need or making ends meet. Converting these spaces from private to public takes that burden off families and the community and ensures that the people struggling can access this important treatment.”
TPCS is receiving funding to convert eight spaces from private-pay to a publicly funded model, making treatment more accessible.
Penticton Recovery Resource Society and The Bridge Youth and Family Services are also receiving funding.
The beds are being funded as part of the $13 million announced last fall, which is supporting more than 100 beds province wide.
Sandhu said, under the previous government investments in bed-based care did not meet demand, resulting in long waitlists and lack of service in rural and remote communities.
"To help people get the addictions care they need, we're providing more publicly funded treatment and recovery beds," said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. "We are thrilled that the funding will create more than 100 new public beds in communities across B.C., even more than we anticipated when we announced 50 to 70 beds last summer. There's more to do, but we are working hard to build up a strong system of addictions and mental health care."
Of the more than 100 beds, 46 will be new spaces in existing treatment and recovery organizations. The remaining beds will be converted from private-pay beds to fully funded public ones for people who cannot afford private-pay rates and to help cut wait times for public treatment. Funding was allocated in two streams to residential treatment services and supportive recovery services.