Theme 2: Mental Health, Substance Use, and Health Services

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

What We Heard: Mental health and substance use needs are increasing, while access to timely local supports remains limited on the Westside.

Participants described:

  • Long wait times for counselling and psychiatric care

  • Limited youth mental health supports

  • Gaps in detox, treatment, and recovery housing

  • Substance use becoming more visible in public spaces

  • First responders carrying health crises beyond their mandate

Without coordinated and upstream supports, systems default to crisis response.

How might we improve access to timely, coordinated mental health and substance use supports on the Westside so that people receive help earlier and crisis response is not the default?


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