Navigating Mental Health Resources in British Columbia: A Teen’s Guide
- Isabella M. Ronny R. Norton F. Kim J. Lilli V. Danitza P.
- Apr 10, 2024
- 5 min read
Navigating Mental Health Resources in British Columbia: A Teen’s Guide
Hey BC teens! Whether you're soaking up city life in Vancouver or chilling in rural communities, BC's got something for everyone. With its diverse landscapes and rich Indigenous heritage, the province offers a unique blend of cultures and lifestyles, but life's not always easy, especially when it comes to mental health. That's why we're here to help you navigate the maze of resources available to support your well-being!
Note. From ArtTower, 2012, pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/victoria-harbor-empress-hotel-55240/
Exploring the Links Between Money, Jobs, Education, and Well-being in British Columbia
Note. From ArtTower, 2012, pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/lac-la-hache-lake-heritage-sunset-50328/
Population
Did you know that about 5.21 million people call British Columbia their home? (Government of Canada, Statistics Canada, 2023). That is a lot of people!
Diverse Cultures
British Columbia is a cultural mixing bowl! From the rich histories of Indigenous tribes to the incredible Asian and European influences, it's a true cultural mosaic (Government of Canada, Statistics Canada, 2024). Picture over 200 Indigenous tribes and individuals from all around Asia and Europe together - it's as different as their landscapes.
City vs Rural Living:
20% of British Columbia's population resides in rural areas, while the remaining 80% lives in big cities such as Vancouver, Victoria, and other cities
Income Statistics:
To give you an idea, in 2020, households in British Columbia earned roughly CAD 130,400 before taxes and approximately CAD 108,900 after taxes. (Government of Canada, Statistics Canada, 2023).
Statistics
Around 84,000 kids and teens in BC have a mental disorder, but not even a third of them are getting help. That means about 58,000 of them are missing out on the support they need.
Between 50% and about 70% of mental illnesses show up before the age of 18, so they can have a huge impact on a child’s development.
Depression hits about 3.5% of young people in BC. It can make you feel really down for a long time. And sadly, suicide is a big issue among teens too. It's the second leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds in BC(CMHA British Columbia, 2023).
Why Mental Health Support Matters
● Feeling Good: Getting help early makes it easier to feel better and enjoy life(WHO, 2022). Research published in the Journal of general internal medicine found that individuals who received early treatment for depression had better long-term outcomes and a reduced risk of relapse(Walker et al., 2000)
● Doing Better: There is a positive impact of mental health services on academic and occupational functioning. A study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that individuals who received evidence-based treatment for mental disorders showed significant improvements in academic(Kendall et al., 2010)
● No Shame: It's totally okay to ask for help when you need it. Getting help shows strength, not weakness (NAMI, 2023). Studies cited by NAMI show that individuals who perceive less stigma surrounding mental illness are more likely to seek treatment and experience positive outcomes.
Note. From Dimhou, 2018, pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/young-people-group-friends-3575167/
Quality Mental Health Resource for Teen in British Columbia:
Check out this excellent mental health resource just for adolescents in British Columbia!
Foundry BC:
With locations across the province, Foundry BC offers mental health services, primary care, and substance use support for youth aged 12-24. Their welcoming approach and peer support groups make it easy to get the help you need. [https://foundrybc.ca/]]
How to Access Foundry BC:
Type "Foundry BC" into your web browser.
Explore from mental health support to primary care.
Challenges and Considerations:
Accessing mental health services can be tough due to factors like stigma and long wait times. Urban areas typically have more resources than rural communities, and finding culturally appropriate services for Indigenous youth can be challenging.
Events including Indian residential schools continue to have an effect on Indigenous teenagers’ emotional well-being (Boksa et al., 2015). For Indigenous people, mental health is more than just their physical wellness; it extends to their emotional and spiritual well-being. That is why mental health treatments that respect Indigenous values can have a significant impact
(Boksa et al., 2015).
Note. From ArtTower, 2014, pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/totem-pole-grunge-wooden-pole-437423/
What Makes Foundry BC Great?
Easy to Get Help: Foundry BC makes it really easy to get help when you're feeling down or stressed. Their website is extremely user-friendly.
Lots of Support Options: They offer lots of different ways to get support, like talking to someone or finding info online.
All-in-One Place: You can find everything you need in one spot, like counseling, support groups. Whether you're battling with mental health, substance abuse, or other challenges, Foundry got you!
Made for Teens: Foundry BC is made just for teens, so it's a safe and comfortable place to get help without feeling judged.
Meet Others Like You: They have programs where you can meet other teens going through similar stuff, so you don't feel alone.
Accessibility: Foundry BC ensures that their services are available throughout the province, no matter where you are or who you are.
Call to action
We encourage you to share your experience accessing services in your area. Whether it's through Foundry BC or other resources, your feedback can help others navigate their own journey to wellness.
Conclusion
Despite challenges such as stigma and disparities between urban and rural areas, accessing mental health support is crucial for overall well-being. Remember, reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and no matter what you're going through, you're not alone. Take care of yourself, BC teens—you deserve it!
Note. from zaenuddinahmad67, 2016, pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/havefun-holiday-friendship-jump-1754193/
References
Boksa, P., Joober, R., & Kirmayer, L. J. (2015). Mental wellness in Canada’s Aboriginal communities: striving toward reconciliation. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience 40(6), 363-365. https://doi.org/10.1503/jpn.150309
CMHA British Columbia. (2023, August 16). Mental Illnesses in Children and Youth - CMHA British Columbia.
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2018, July 25). Immigration and Ethnocultural Diversity in Canada.
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2022, November 9). Disaggregated trends in poverty from the 2021 Census of Population. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/98-200-X/2021009/98-200- x2021009-eng.cfm
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2023, November 15). Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - British Columbia [Province]. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang =E&DGUIDlist=2021A000259&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist= 0
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2024, March 25). Data. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/type/data
Kendall, P. C., Hudson, J. L., Gosch, E., Flannery-Schroeder, E., & Suveg, C. (2008). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disordered youth: a randomized clinical trial evaluating child and family modalities. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 76(2), 282–297. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.76.2.282
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (April, 2023). Mental health by the numbers.
Ontario Newsroom. (2017, June 1), Building fairer and Better Future for People Across Ontario.https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/45018/building-a-fairer-and-better-future-for-people-ac ross-ontario#quotes
Poverty - BC's Office of the Human Rights Commissioner. (2023, September 15). BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner. https://bchumanrights.ca/key-issues/poverty/
Walker, E. A., Katon, W. J., Russo, J., Von Korff, M., Lin, E., Simon, G., Bush, T., Ludman, E., & Unützer, J. (2000). Predictors of outcome in a primary care depression trial. Journal of general internal medicine, 15(12), 859–867.https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2000.91142.x
Watson, B. (2021, November 24). Annual report shows 1 in 5 B.C. children still growing up in poverty. CBC.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2022, June 17). Mental health: Strengthening our response.
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