The British Columbia division of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA BC) has launched a new provincial initiative aimed at better understanding the landscape of voluntary mental health services and identifying gaps in access to care across British Columbia. The project, Mapping BC's Voluntary Mental Health System, is being led by Zahra, Research Analyst and Clinical Social Worker, and Polly McDermid, Manager of Policy Advocacy, with funding support from the Max Bell Foundation.

The project responds to growing concerns that much of the province's recent investment has focused on high-intensity and involuntary mental health interventions, while community-based, preventative, and early-intervention services have received comparatively less attention and support. Through this work, CMHA BC aims to create an evidence base that can help inform future advocacy, planning, and investment in voluntary mental health care services across the province.

Phase One of the project will focus on publicly funded and publicly accessible adult mental health services, including crisis response programs, grief supports, reproductive mental health services, outreach programs, and psychiatric-focused case management. The project will examine barriers to access such as geography, cost, service availability, referral pathways, eligibility requirements, and the unique challenges faced by rural, remote, and underserved communities.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the importance of strengthening community-based mental health care. Project leaders emphasized the need to better understand and support services that promote mental health, prevent crises, and provide early intervention before individuals require higher-intensity care. The initiative also seeks to better understand how factors such as housing, income, technology access, transportation, and social isolation influence a person's ability to access mental health supports.

Participants highlighted several important considerations for the project, including the need to recognize the intersection between mental health, substance use, and social determinants of health. Additional discussion focused on barriers experienced by people who are street-entrenched, individuals without fixed addresses, and those who may distrust traditional systems of care. The importance of integrating mental health expertise into community outreach services was also raised as a potential area for future exploration.

Of particular relevance to hospice societies and community organizations, participants noted the important role that grief and bereavement programs play in many communities, especially in rural and remote regions where formal mental health services may be limited. CMHA BC acknowledged the value of this feedback and indicated that the scope of grief supports included within the mapping project will continue to be refined as the work progresses.

The project's key deliverables will include:

• A provincial inventory of voluntary mental health services and programs;

• A data visualization map illustrating how services are distributed across British Columbia; and

• A briefing report and gap analysis identifying barriers, service gaps, and opportunities for system improvement.

Data collection is expected to take place throughout June and July 2026, with a final report anticipated by the end of August. Findings will be shared publicly in fall 2026. CMHA BC also hopes to secure funding for a second phase of work that would develop a costed strategy for strengthening and expanding voluntary, community-based mental health services across the province.

Implications for Hospice Societies and BCHPCA

BCHPCA participated in this discussion to help ensure that hospice societies and community-based grief and bereavement programs are recognized within British Columbia's broader mental health and wellness landscape.

For decades, hospice societies have provided accessible grief and bereavement support, caregiver support, volunteer-led programs, and community-based services that help individuals navigate loss, reduce isolation, and build resilience. In many rural and remote communities, hospice societies are among the few organizations offering grief support that is publicly accessible and available regardless of diagnosis or referral pathway.

As CMHA BC advances this mapping project, BCHPCA will continue advocating for hospice societies to be recognized as trusted, qualified community partners within the voluntary mental health system. Ensuring that hospice-based grief and bereavement services are accurately represented in provincial planning and future funding discussions will be critical to strengthening access to support for individuals and families experiencing loss.

This work aligns closely with BCHPCA's ongoing Provincial Grief and Bereavement Strategy, which seeks to increase recognition, sustainability, and equitable access to grief and bereavement services across British Columbia.

Webinar Recording

A recording of the webinar is available below for those interested in learning more about the project, its goals, and opportunities to contribute feedback as the work moves forward.

Recording Link