The B.C. government announced $1.6 million for housing those with mental health challenges on Friday.

The funds will provide 9 support recovery units for individuals suffering from mental-health and substance-use issues in Squamish. The money will be given to Turning Point to purchase and renovate a house in the community. The facility will operate a 90 to 120 day residential recovery program for adults, according to Turning Point Recovery Society Executive Director Brenda Plant.

Plant says they’ve been providing services for clients from Squamish and elsewhere in the Sea to Sky Corridor for the past year at their Lower Mainland sites. The organisation currently operates 4 sites, two in Vancouver, one in Richmond; and one in North Vancouver (with a second opening soon).

Turning Point has a contract with Vancouver Coastal Health to operate 4 of the 9 new beds. Plant says “…the addition of this new home will result in individuals accessing services in their home community, closer to family, friends and other local supports and services”. She says that the addition of the beds will “…help to supplement existing services in the community and help to reduce recidivism; supporting individuals to transition home and back to work, families and other local endeavors”.

The investment comes as part of the new Mental Health Housing program, announced earlier this year.

 

Filed under: Mental Health, Recovery, Sea to Sky, Squamish, Substance Use, Turning Point