Reducing Barriers to Mental Health Care With Integrated Youth Services
I wrote this impact report sample for portfolio purposes only. It 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
Across British Columbia, mental health concerns continue to impact young people. While roughly 84,000 children and youth have a mental health diagnosis, fewer than one-third receive treatment. Traditional health and social service systems operate in silos, and since many youth need help with more than one issue, accessing the right care is difficult.
Foundry BC exists 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 online through the FoundryBC app. Licensed professionals and peer support workers collaborate to provide care to young people visiting Foundry centres. Each centre operates through a lead agency, such as a regional health authority, nonprofit, or Indigenous-led organization.
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 support services exist, it's difficult for many young people to access the care they need. The Canadian Mental Health Association reports that around 84,000 children and youth have a diagnosed mental health disorder in BC. However, fewer than one-third receive mental health services. Treatment is vital, since early intervention 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's mission is 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 mental health, physical health, and social services together under one roof. Foundry centres connect youth to support services in urban and rural communities throughout the province. At each centre, individuals can work with both registered professionals and peer support workers. Families can also access support and education groups.
Foundry services are free, confidential, and don't require referrals. Youth can get support in person at Foundry centres or through the FoundryBC app. Centres operate through lead agencies, including local health authorities, 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 growth 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, as nearly half of those 83,000 visits were from youth 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 while at Foundry. 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 highlights the importance of access to support for young people. 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. These help us understand how youth access Foundry and where more resources are needed. Insights from this process will guide program improvements as we continue to expand.
Youth Story
One youth who visited Foundry for help with finding a job later accessed our mental health services. He came through the door after experiencing burnout and depression caused by the pressure to excel.
“It was hard enough trying to navigate depression. 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. He was supported in finding 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. 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. We are developing sixteen new Foundry centres and expanding virtual service offerings. By 2030, we project that Foundry centres will support up to 200,000 yearly visits from 40,000 young people across BC. Foundry's mission continues to guide this growth, as we work to increase access to coordinated health, mental health, and social services for young people and their families.
How I Approached This Impact Report Sample
I focused on giving context to the data and providing insight into what the numbers meant “on the ground.”
Transparency in reporting helps foster trust, which means acknowledging challenges. I sought to focus on Foundry’s limitations in the final paragraph of the Impact section. My research didn’t return much information on the issue. So, I implied that the offering is imperfect by discussing how Foundry uses data and participant feedback to address existing gaps.
To show true impact, I separated activity metrics (what Foundry did) from outcome metrics (what the impact was for youth). Outcome sources werethe Youth Experience Survey and the National Library of Medicine article.
I tied Foundry’s work to the wider Integrated Youth Services movement to provide further credibility for its service model and activities.
I chose an accessible yet professional tone for this piece's institutional audience, focusing on clarity, narrative flow, and accuracy of information.
I used AI for help with researching and structuring this piece, and for content feedback.