2022 marks a significant milestone for Coast Mental Health as their golden anniversary year.
Established in 1972, the Vancouver-based non-profit organization and registered charity has remained committed to their founding mission of delivering essential community-based mental health services for people living with mental illnesses throughout Greater Vancouver.
When psychiatric hospitals were decommissioned in the early 1970s, many patients with complex health issues were left in the tough position of having to re-integrate into their communities on their own. Recognizing an urgent need for resources, support, and housing for this community of people, a small group of volunteers banded together to find solutions, and their efforts eventually led to the formation of Coast Mental Health.
Through psychosocial rehabilitation strategies, which focuses on the whole person and emphasizes personal empowerment and choice, it was determined that assisting individuals in all areas of their lives — personal, vocational, social, residential, and education — is the best route to encouraging a sustained recovery process and improving one’s quality of life.
For the past 50 years (and counting), Coast Mental Health has advocated for, supported, and provided specialized person-centred mental health services to over 5,000+ people living with mental illness in the communities of Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley, Maple Ridge, and beyond. Furthermore, they are one of the largest non-profit housing providers in Canada, having established 52 facilities and 1,444 homes.
During the last five decades, the organization has achieved several first-time accomplishments within the Canadian mental health care space, including launching the first clubhouse model in B.C., developing the first Peer Support Program (now used province-wide) within their recovery and rehabilitation program, and introducing the Cognitive Rehabilitation Program; the first of its kind in this region and available to clients in Coast Mental Health’s care.
In honour of the 50th anniversary year, Coast Mental Health is recognizing their many community partners and supporters who have contributed to the success of the organization’s compassionate and courageous work in providing impactful solutions within B.C.’s healthcare system.
Many of the organization’s vital community-based services — from mental health programming and resources to meal programs and employment services — are maintained through the help of donations from the Coast Mental Health Foundation. Thanks to the generous financial support of donors, Coast Mental Health continues to provide services and programming to support people in their care.
Coast Mental Health has become known as an innovator within Canada’s mental health space, developing and piloting innovative programs and services that have had a true impact on people and have since been adopted across the province to the wider mental health community. In 2012, 2016 and 2022, the organization was awarded Exemplary Standing in Accreditation Canada in recognition of their success in improving the quality of community health and social services in Canada.
Coast Mental Health’s team consists of approximately 800 employees across Greater Vancouver. Their dedicated network of volunteers serve an integral role in the organization’s operations, from the strategic direction of the volunteer Board of Directors to the 170+ volunteers who assist clients in daily programming initiatives.
With the ongoing support of Coast Mental Health’s partners and people, the non-profit can continue to provide crucial community-based services through three pillars of support: Housing, Support services, and Employment & Education.
Visit coastmentalhealth.com/50years to learn more and to see 'The Difference' you can make.
