Northern Health and the University of Northern British Columbia are partnering to continue the operation of the Community Counselling Centre in downtown Prince George. In the agreement, Northern Health will fund the staffing for the clinic and UNBC will provide space for the service at its downtown campus in the BMO Building on 3rd Avenue.

“We’re pleased that Northern Health and UNBC were able to partner to ensure the Community Counselling Centre can continue to provide these valuable services to residents of Prince George,” said Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount. “It is important to have a wide range of mental health and addiction services available, and this program meets an important need with community based counselling.”

The Centre has been available since 2009, offering low- to no-cost counselling services to any Prince George resident or regional community member who cannot afford private counselling and does not meet the mandate and criteria of other community service providers. This service is delivered by incorporating graduate students from UNBC’s Counselling program. It provides a high-quality practicum opportunity for those students involving intensive supervision. The Centre has had 51 students supporting activities since 2009, many of whom find jobs in northern B.C., including with Northern Health.

“Providing affordable and accessible mental health and addictions support is crucial to maintaining a healthy community,” said Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie. “Joining forces to make sure the Centre stays open demonstrates our commitment to the people of Prince George. We care about their continued journey in wellness.”

The Centre also provides clinical education and training opportunities for community agencies, including Northern Health team members.

In addition to the Centre, the BMO building houses UNBC’s Family Support Program – a partnership between the Schools of Business and Social Work that offers emergency support to families in need with generous funding from IDL. Women North Network/Northern Fire: The Centre for Women’s Health Research at UNBC, also located at the BMO Downtown Campus, undertakes community-based research involving UNBC students alongside community agencies and organizations from across the North.

“We want to ensure that students receive both the theoretical knowledge and hands-on opportunities to put their skills into practice,” said UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks. “We’re pleased that this partnership will allow continued service to the community while offering training opportunities and leadership skills development for future clinicians.”

Northern Health works hard to provide a range of services in partnership with the community. Examples included the partnership with the RCMP with the new Car 60 program, the psychiatric liaison nurse, and the Intensive Case Management Team. Community services such as the Community Counselling Centre, the UNBC Wellness Centre, local church groups, First Nations health service providers, and others act as community referral services.

“Mental health and addictions support for members of our community come through key partnerships, and our partnership with the Community Counselling Centre is another opportunity to deliver services that are needed in Prince George,” said Aaron Bond, Northern Health’s Northern Interior Director of Mental Health and Addiction services. “The Community Counselling Centre has provided this community referral service for people with mental health and addiction needs. We’re happy to be able to support this programs continuation.”

For more information on Northern Health’s mental health and addiction programs, please visit northernhealth.ca.