Reducing Barriers to Mental Health Care With Integrated Youth Services
This impact report sample was created for portfolio purposes and was not commissioned or approved by Foundry BC. Information and statistics are based on publicly available sources about Foundry and integrated youth services in British Columbia.
Executive Summary
Mental health concerns continue to affect many young people across British Columbia. An estimated 84,000 children and youth have a diagnosed mental health condition, but fewer than one-third receive treatment. Traditional health and social service systems are fragmented, making it difficult for young people to access the care they need.
Foundry BC was created to reduce barriers to health and social services for youth aged 12 to 24. As part of the Integrated Youth Services (IYS) movement, Foundry combines health, mental health, and social services in one physical location, or virtually through the FoundryBC app. Young people visiting Foundry receive coordinated care delivered by licensed professionals and peer support workers. Foundry centres operate through lead agencies, which include regional health authorities, nonprofits, and Indigenous-led organizations.
Foundry’s network of service hubs continues to expand across the province, with 19 centres currently in operation. Since 2018, over 47,000 unique youth have accessed Foundry services. In the 2024–2025 fiscal year alone, over 17,000 young people visited Foundry centres 83,000 times. Research also shows that 58% of youth would not have sought help if Foundry didn’t exist.
Foundry’s growth reveals the increasing demand for youth mental health and social services across BC. Every year, increasing numbers of young people access Foundry’s services. As we continue to expand, we will focus on strengthening services to meet the needs of youth in British Columbia.
Community Need
Mental health concerns continue to affect children and youth across British Columbia. While there is growing awareness of the need for support, barriers to care persist. The Canadian Mental Health Association reports that around 84,000 children and youth have a diagnosed mental health disorder in BC, yet fewer than one-third receive mental health services. When mental health distress is addressed, it reduces the risk of substance use, self-harm, and suicide.
Traditional health and social service systems operate separately from one another. Accessing support across these fragmented systems can be overwhelming for young people. Moreover, rural communities may lack certain in-person services, resulting in further unmet needs.
Program Overview
Foundry BC exists to reduce barriers to health and social services for young people aged 12 to 24 and their families. Foundry is part of the Integrated Youth Services (IYS) movement. This model brings health, mental health, and social services together under one roof. Foundry’s province-wide network connects youth to support services in urban and rural communities. At each centre, individuals can work with both registered professionals and peer support workers. Families can also access support and education groups.
All services are free, confidential, and don’t need referrals. Youth can get support in person at Foundry centres or through the FoundryBC app. Centres operate through lead agencies. These include existing regional health authorities, community nonprofits, and Indigenous-led organizations. This ensures services address the needs of each community. It also reduces the costs and time associated with building new centres.
Impact
The first Foundry Centre opened in 2015, and 19 centres now operate across BC. Foundry's expansion reflects the demand for accessible youth support services throughout the province. Research shows that many youth accessing Foundry are experiencing serious mental health concerns. One peer-reviewed study reported that 60% of young people had "high" or "very high" levels of distress at intake.
Between April 2018 and March 2024, 47,000 unique youth accessed services. In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, over 17,000 youth visited Foundry centres 83,000 times. Foundry is continuing to reach new young people who need help, as nearly half of those 83,000 visits were from those accessing services for the first time.
Foundry centres aim to reduce barriers to care by offering different services at one location. In a recent Youth Experience Survey, 33% of youth reported accessing more than one Foundry service during their visit. Youth also reported positive experiences in accessing care. 94% said it was easy to get support at Foundry, and 93% reported that having multiple available services made it easier to get help.
Peer-reviewed research data also emphasizes the importance of accessible support services for this group. 58% of youth visiting Foundry centres stated they would not have sought help if Foundry didn’t exist.
At Foundry, we continue to evaluate how our services support BC’s young people. We collect data through service records, youth experience surveys, and research partnerships to understand how youth access Foundry and where we need to allocate additional resources. These insights will guide program improvements and our ongoing expansion across the province.
Youth Story
One youth who visited Foundry for employment help later accessed our mental health services for further support. He came through the door after experiencing burnout and depression caused by the pressure to excel.
“It was hard enough trying to navigate depression, but what made it worse was constantly being compared to my more successful peers and family members,” he explains.
Foundry’s IYS model enabled the young person to access different services at the same location. With ongoing support, he found a job, began exploring his passions, and gained more clarity around his life direction.
“The biggest breakthrough that has come out of my experience at Foundry is that I don’t need to be afraid, because I’ve been given the tools and resources I need to better sail through life’s storms."
Youth story material adapted from Danny’s Story on the Foundry BC website
Partnerships
Foundry is a program provided by Providence Health Care. We operate through a network of health and social service providers who deliver coordinated youth services throughout the province. Our partners at BC Children’s Hospital work with youth, clinical experts, Foundry staff, and our community partners to develop Foundry's health literacy content.
Looking Ahead
Foundry continues to expand youth service offerings across British Columbia by developing sixteen new Foundry centres and expanding virtual service offerings. Foundry projects that by 2030, the network will support up to 200,000 yearly visits from 40,000 young people across BC. Through ongoing growth, Foundry aims to increase access to coordinated health, mental health, and substance use services for young people and their families.