More Trained Workers Will Improve Mental-Health, Addictions Care In B.C.

The B.C. government announced new efforts to bolster the mental health and addictions workforce in the province.

The Mental Health and Addictions Minister appeared outside the Vernon Health Centre yesterday to announce that the Health Career Access Program (HCAP) is being expanded into mental health and addictions care.

“Meeting the needs of those living with mental-health and addictions challenges requires a skilled and diverse workforce,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

“Providing no-cost training encourages people from all walks of life to help us fill essential roles. This ensures that people are supported by passionate professionals who are equipped with the skills to offer much-needed support."

HCAP has trained more than 8,000 people as health-care support workers in long-term care homes, assisted living facilities, home support and acute care settings since it began in 2020.

The expansion of the program will aim to fill roles in their mental health and addictions workforce by offering a fully funded certificate program and an educational stipend [sti - pened]  throughout their training period.

The first group of 30 students began their training in May, and a second group is slated to begin in September.

The announcement came one day after the BC Coroners Service reported that there were 181 deaths due to unregulated drugs in May of this year, and 185 such deaths in June.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.