An interactive map and improved patient intake process are two steps government is taking to make it faster and easier for families to get child and youth mental health (CYMH) and substance use services in B.C. Feedback from families who have received services in the past has indicated that it can be difficult to navigate the complex mental health system to find the services they need. Parents and youth can now visit the new interactive online map to find supports and services close to home, including the addresses of local service providers and locations of mental health intake offices that can see children, youth and their families without an appointment. The map lists approximately 350 services for children and youth throughout the province and includes information about: * Ministry of Children and Family Development CYMH services. * Ministry of Health child and youth substance use services. * Related services provided through: * Local health authorities. * Provincial health authorities. * Contracted Aboriginal agencies. Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux and Minister of Health Terry Lake officially launched this new resource, including a demonstration of the map's features at an event today at the HOpe Centre at Lions Gate Hospital. The map, coupled with a new CYMH intake clinic process that has reduced wait times for families by as much as 12 weeks, is helping children and youth get the help they need sooner. In January 2014, the Ministry of Children and Family Development launched a revised intake process for CYMH services at 20 of its offices on a trial basis. The new intake clinic allows clients and their families to meet directly with a clinician and discuss a plan for services or treatment during their initial visit. This helps ensure that families know immediately if they qualify for ministry CYMH services. Over the first six months of the trial, more than 95% of respondents to a client satisfaction poll reported they were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with the services they received. Thanks to the new model, wait times have been drastically reduced and clients can now find out if they are eligible for child and youth mental health services, usually the same day as their assessment, compared to the previous wait time of up to 12 weeks. As a result of this success, the ministry is expanding its revised intake process to the remaining 52 offices around the province by April 2015. The online map and improved intake process are a direct response to client feedback and a recommendation outlined in the Representative for Children and Youth's April 2013 report Still Waiting: First-hand Experiences with Youth Mental Health Services in B.C. to make it easier for families to navigate and access services within the mental health and substance use system. - Contributed by the BC Government.
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