Efforts are underway to enhance youth mental health services in West Kelowna and neighboring areas. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna has initiated the “Not Alone: Bridging the Gap” campaign. This initiative aims to establish Foundry services specifically for youth aged 12 to 24 and their families.
Campaign Goals and Fundraising Efforts
The CMHA targets to raise $1.8 million through this campaign. The funds will be utilized to create local facilities and improve access to essential services. The organization emphasizes that many young people currently lack adequate mental health care.
- More than one in three British Columbia teens report needing mental health care.
- The project will provide walk-in mental health counseling and family navigation.
- Youth will receive peer support and connections to substance use and primary care services.
Community Collaboration
This campaign builds upon a prior community effort that launched Foundry Kelowna nearly ten years ago. Mike Gawliuk, CEO of CMHA Kelowna, underscores the importance of local access.
“For many young people, the hardest step is the first one,” Gawliuk stated. “When services are local, familiar, and easy to access, that step becomes possible.”
Allison Young, CEO of the KGH Foundation, agrees, noting strong communities prioritize the needs of their youth. “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,” Young said.
Need for Continued Support
While provincial funding is part of the project, CMHA Kelowna stresses the necessity for additional community contributions. Delaney Neukomm, a student leader involved with mental health advocacy, emphasizes the significance of a local support space.
“Young people talk about mental health more now, but that doesn’t always mean they know where to go for help,” Neukomm explained. “Having a space like this on the Westside helps turn those conversations into real support.”
For more information and to contribute to the cause, visit El-Balad.
