CRESTON B.C. — Today, the BC Greens announced a plan to make mental healthcare accessible, effective, and safe for everyone in British Columbia.
“We need to ensure we remove the barriers to accessing mental healthcare,” said BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau. “It affects all of us, either personally or through someone we love. But too often, people can’t find or afford the help they need. We want everyone in BC to get mental health support when they need it without worrying about how to afford it or where to go.”
The BC Greens plan:
1. MSP Coverage for mental health professionals: We will ensure that every BC resident has access to six fully covered visits with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, under the Medical Services Plan (MSP).
2. Regulation of psychotherapy: We will introduce full regulation of psychotherapy in BC to make sure only properly trained people can call themselves counselors or psychologists so you know you’re getting the right support.
3. Mental health integration into 911: We will integrate mental health as a fourth option into 911 services and expand the Peer Assisted Care Teams (PACT) program to ensure that mental health crises are met with appropriate and compassionate responses.
4. Mental Health Act review: We will conduct an all-party review of the Mental Health Act and create an Independent Office of the Mental Health Advocate to ensure that the voices of those with lived experience are heard and that the legislation is updated to reflect modern understandings of mental health care.
“We need a government that ensures mental healthcare is accessible in community health centers and schools,” said Nicole Charlwood, BC Green Candidate for Kootenay Central. My children could benefit from regular school counseling, saving us thousands. I know I did in high school during tough times. Access to a counselor helped keep me connected and on the right path.”
The BC Green Party is committed to making immediate upstream investments in preventative care, ensuring better lives for everyone now and for generations to come.
