Westside needs a Foundry
Photo: CMHA
CMHA Kelowna launches “Not Alone” campaign to expand youth mental health services to Westside communities.
A push is being made to bring youth mental health services to the Westside.
The local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association has launched a new fundraising campaign, Not Alone: Bridging the Gap, in an effort to help establish Foundry services for youth aged 12 to 24 and their families in West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and Peachland.
The organization says too many young people are still missing access to care.
According to CMHA, more than one in three B.C. teens report needing mental health care and not receiving it.
The campaign has a fundraising goal of $1.8 million, with donations going toward creating a local space and improving access to services on the Westside.
Services would include walk-in mental health counselling, family navigation and peer supports, connection to substance use, primary care, and social services and early intervention support.
“For many young people, the hardest step is the first one,” said Mike Gawliuk, CEO of CMHA Kelowna. “When services are local, familiar and easy to access, that step becomes possible.”
The initiative builds on a past community effort that helped launch Foundry Kelowna nearly a decade ago.
“Strong communities show up for their young people,” said Allison Young, CEO of the KGH Foundation. “We’re 100% aligned with CMHA Kelowna in their effort to ensure that youth and families on the Westside can access the support they need, when they need it, close to home.”
The province is providing some funding for the project, but CMHA Kelowna says community support is still needed to complete the service expansion.
“Young people talk about mental health more now, but that doesn’t always mean they know where to go for help,” said Delaney Neukomm, founding student leader of the MBSS Walk for Mental Health. “Having a space like this on the Westside helps turn those conversations into real support.”
For more information and to donate, click here.
