Welcome to the new foundrybc.ca!

Today’s launch is the first phase of the site’s development, with an initial focus on mental health and substance use. To ensure easy access to online resources and tools, the content from the youth mental health website, mindcheck.ca, has also moved into foundrybc.ca. Further information and resources will be integrated over the next year to reflect the core service and resource offerings found within Foundry centres.

Foundrybc.ca, powered by BC Children’s Hospital, complements the Foundry provincial network of centres, which is supported by a team based at Providence Health Care. Foundry Centres are working to bridge gaps and remove barriers by bringing together a variety of wellness services and resources under one roof. Foundrybc.ca and the centres were created in partnership with young people and families in communities across B.C.

• The idea behind Foundry was formed when St. Paul’s Hospital began providing integrated care services for young people through the youth centre on Granville street in downtown Vancouver.
• Using an early intervention approach, Foundry centres act as a ‘one-stop shop’ for health and mental health care needs, enabling young people to open one door to get help with life’s big and small wellness challenges.

There are currently five centres open including: Vancouver (Granville and the North Shore), Kelowna, Campbell River and Prince George, with six more in development across B.C.

Foundrybc.ca was made by possible by the RBC Integrated Provincial Child and Youth Health Literacy Initiative. BC Children’s Hospital has a commitment for annual funding for five years from the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation via its annual RBC Race for the Kids initiative.

Hosted by Providence Health Care, the Foundry centres are supported by the Government of British Columbia, Graham Boeckh Foundation, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and St. Paul’s Foundation.

“I’m excited that Foundry has created this new online space where youth and their families can access the tools and supports they need 24/7 from the comfort of their own homes. This resource will make it easier for young people to get all the supports they need to ensure their problems do not become road blocks.”

Minister of Children and Family Development Katrine Conroy –
“This new website is expanding the reach of the Foundry centres so that even more young British Columbians will be able to seek help and support quickly. No matter where they are in B.C., the site will help kids who are struggling to know they’re not alone and that help is available.”

Dr. Jana Davidson, psychiatrist-in-chief, BC Children’s Hospital –
“It can be difficult for young people and families to know where to turn in the face of a health or mental health challenge. Foundry’s online platform is an evidence-based and youth-informed resource, that will reduce stress or confusion commonly involved when trying to find the help they need.”

“Foundry is about transforming access to care and addressing wellness holistically. By offering welcoming spaces with a variety of wellness services, we want to remove the stigma that is sometimes associated with seeking help, and reach young people early on — before small problems become big ones.”

“Through the work of our Inner City Youth team at the Granville centre, we saw firsthand the benefit of bringing services together for young people. It is exciting that the work that started with this dedicated team at St. Paul’s has inspired a province-wide effort to improve the experience for young people accessing health and social services.”

Learn More:

BC Children’s Hospital, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority provides expert care for the province’s most seriously ill or injured children, youth and young adults, including newborns. Child and Youth Mental Health provides a diverse range of specialized and one-of-a-kind tertiary mental health and substance use services for children, adolescents and young adults across the province. For more information, visit www.bcchildrens.ca or follow us on Twitter @BCChildrensHosp.

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates selected specialty and province-wide health care services across BC, working with the five geographic health authorities to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For more information, visit www.phsa.ca or follow us on Twitter @PHSAofBC.

Foundry removes barriers and increases access to care by developing a province-wide network of wellness centres for young people ages 12-24. Foundry centres provide a one-stop-shop for young people to access mental health care, substance use services, primary care, social services and youth and family peer supports. By bringing together a variety of health and social services under one roof and working in partnership with young people and families, Foundry is helping B.C.’s young people to get the help they need when they need it. Hosted by Providence Health Care, Foundry is supported by the Government of British Columbia, Graham Boeckh Foundation, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and St. Paul’s Foundation.

Providence Health Care (PHC) is one of Canada’s largest faith-based health care organizations, operating 17 health-care facilities in Greater Vancouver. PHC operates one of two adult academic health science centres in the province – St. Paul’s Hospital – performs cutting-edge research in more than 30 clinical specialties, and focuses its services on six “populations of emphasis”: cardio-pulmonary risks and illnesses, HIV/AIDS, mental health, renal risks and illness, specialized needs in aging and urban health: www.providencehealthcare.org.