BC Greens announce plan for improved access to mental healthcare if elected

This week, among numerous announcements from the BC NDP, the Conservative Party of BC and the BC Green Party, the Greens revealed how they would approach mental healthcare if elected. 

In their announcement, the BC Greens say that they would implement four new ways of getting British Columbians better access to certain mental health services. 

The BC Green Party’s plan:

• MSP coverage for mental health professionals:
  • The Greens say they would see that BC residents have access to six fully-covered visits with a mental health professional under the Medical Services Plan (MSP)
• Regulation of psychotherapy:
  • They would introduce full regulation of psychotherapy in BC, ensuring only properly trained people can call themselves counsellors or psychologists
• Mental health integration into 911:
  • The BC Greens want to integrate mental health as a fourth option into 911 services and expand the Peer Assisted Care Teams (PACT) program, so that mental health crises are met with appropriate responses
• Mental Health Act review:
  • Lastly, they would 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 legislation reflects modern understandings of mental healthcare.

“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.”

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Though the BC NDP have not released their full platform yet, Diana Gibson, their candidate for Oak Bay-Gordon Head says that more mental healthcare supports are important to her party. 

“Whether you’re someone who is struggling with mental health issues or you’re supporting a loved one through their struggles, access to appropriate and timely care can make all the difference,” said Gibson in a statement to Victoria Buzz.  

“David Eby is taking action to expand access to mental health services in communities across BC.” 

The BC NDP say they are ensuring people can access low or no-cost mental healthcare services through funding community counselling programs.

These types of services have helped nearly 65,000 people since it started, according to Gibson. 

Additionally, the BC NDP are opening 35 Foundry youth health centres—17 are open so far, with more on the way. 

“We’re supporting people experiencing mental health crisis by creating peer-assisted care teams, who respond to calls instead of the police,” stated Gibson. 

“This is helping thousands of people get connected to the right services, and freeing up police to focus on keeping communities safe.”

She added that much is at stake for her party’s policies and says that if Rustad and the Conservatives are to come into power, many of the existing and future mental health services could be cut and cancelled. 

Victoria Buzz reached out to the Conservatives for comment on their approach to mental healthcare but have not received a response, as of this publication. 

Thus far, their ‘Patients First’ plan to reform the healthcare system does not account for any expansion to mental health services.