Nearly 18,000 youth aged 12 to 24 and their families accessed Foundry and its "vital health-care services" across B.C. in the 2022-23 fiscal year.
This week, Burnaby was chosen as one of the organization's next 10 communities to open a resource centre so local young people in distress can receive immediate care closer to home.
On Monday, March 4, Foundry unveiled the Burnaby location will be a partnership with BC Centre for Ability, providing free primary care, counselling, early intervention, prevention and addictions support.
"Young people, now more than ever, desperately need safe spaces where they can access mental-health, physical-health, substance-use, and social services without feeling judged or stigmatized," said Foundry executive director Steve Mathias in a government news release.
"It is imperative that we create supportive spaces that allow youth to express who they are without fear and live a good life on their terms. There is still a lot of work to be done, and Foundry will continue our unwavering commitment to revolutionize the health and wellness landscape for young people."
Confidential services offered by Foundry also include mental-health and addiction counselling, physical and sexual health care, peer support and social services.
"We look forward to working with our community partners, Fraser Health, the Burnaby Primary Care Network, local and provincial governments, youth, families, and the community at large to design and implement a program that will meet the unique needs of the youth and young adults in our community," added Joshua Myers, BC Centre for Ability executive director in a statement to the NOW.
"These are early days, but over the next year we will be engaging with community to plan for what specific services will be delivered out of Foundry Burnaby and we’ll be launching a capital fundraising campaign to help with the purchase and/or renovation of space that will house this important resource in the city."
According to Foundry, roughly 75 per cent of serious mental-health issues emerge before the age of 25, noting the COVID-19 pandemic, global instability and climate emergencies are resulting in increased depression rates among young people.
"There's nothing more important than helping kids and their families," said Jennifer Whiteside, B.C.'s mental health and addictions minister.
"That's why we're making a significant expansion in child and youth health and wellness supports so more young people can get connected to the services they need."
Burnaby was unveiled as one of Foundry's new locations alongside Chilliwack, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Quesnel, Sooke-Westshore, South Surrey, Vancouver, Vanderhoof and the West Kootenays.
This will bring the organization's total up to 35 centres once all are in operation.
Foundry's website explained each community that houses one of its centres is chosen based on factors like regional representation; proximity of existing centres; service provider readiness and capacity; and applicants’ values as they relate to cultural agility, justice and equity.
