British Columbians with mental health and substance use issues will receive increased support, thanks to $2.9 million in Community Action Initiative (CAI) grants.
The CAI, a province-wide program that supports mental health and substance use groups throughout B.C., recently awarded the service innovation grants to 16 community-based projects that promote positive mental health for British Columbians.
Through the Ministry of Health, the CAI funds mental health projects and strategies that help prevent the use of substances and improve services and supports for individuals and families who are recovering from mental health and/or substance use challenges.
CAI supports local agencies to work with families, and community and cultural agencies in their regions to take action and find innovative ways to address mental health, substance use and unhealed trauma.
To date, CAI has funded 227 grants totalling $9.6 million that serve a mix of 79 rural, urban, remote, and Aboriginal communities in British Columbia. A detailed list of grants can be viewed at: http://www.communityactioninitiative.ca/about-the-cai/funded-projects/.
“The reality is that one in five British Columbians is affected by mental health and substance use challenges,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “Government is pleased to support the CAI in their efforts to increase access to meaningful, positive support for individuals who struggle with mental health and substance use issues. Thank you and congratulations to this year's grant recipients."
See more about the Community Action Initiative at www.communityactioninitiative.ca/.
