New online map of Provincial mental health, substance use services

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.