The Recipients

With 20 per cent of the population of NH identifying as Indigenous — the highest proportion in BC —grants were awarded to organizations like The Prince George Métis Society, who emphasized land-based learning, connecting students with Indigenous culture and nature. This cultural awareness is so important because of the history of Residential Schools, where Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their homes and denied access to their land, language, and culture. This generational trauma remains, and is even a part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, asking the federal government to develop, with Indigenous communities, culturally appropriate curricula.

Some grant recipients used the funds to enhance their programming to better serve youth mental wellness, like the South Peace Arts Society, who redefined their teaching philosophy to prioritize emotional well-being, fostering emotional resilience through art.

Other programs were there to provide essential programming for youth, like Houston Link to Learning, who delivered accessible mental health programming and nutrition support to vulnerable teens. Because of the grant provided, Houston Link to Learning was able to operate for the entire school year, instead of just 10 weeks, as it had previously run in early 2024.

What these programs all have in common is that they are giving youth that important sense of connection and belonging, and a safe space to express themselves.

The Importance of Knowing Someone Cares

Feedback from the participants showcase the impact of these programs:

“It means I get something to do instead of lay in bed it gives me a reason to leave the house. ” — Participant 1

“It means time with your friends and to have some fun and to be yourself. This drop-in is a place where you can get to know people better and find new interests. I hope this drop in happens next year.” — Participant 2

And importantly for teens, these programs gave them something near and dear to their hearts…Food!

“Talking and getting good advice. Being able to express myself. Snacks!!” — Participant 3

“Teen drop-in means a lot to me. It gives me the time to spend with my friends and so I can get to know more of others. I’m very thankful for the time and the plaza’s snacks, I love food. Thank you JJ and Ben for everything.” —  Participant 4

Positive well-being in adolescence leads to healthier adulthood, and early-life interventions can promote better quality of life. Our youth are tomorrow’s leaders, who will advance social change and address crises such as toxic drug poisonings and the impacts of climate change. By offering our support now — through initiatives like grants given to youth organizations in the community — we are creating a healthier and more equitable future not only for our younger generations, but for us all. Supporting youth mental wellness is public health in action. Please join us in supporting this work by donating to the Foundation.

The post Providing Mental Health Support for Youth in Northern BC appeared first on Pacific Public Health Foundation.

Having good vision — or the glasses and corrective procedures needed to improve vision or diagnose eye problems — is something that many of us take for granted. But it is essential for everyday learning, safety, and quality of life. This is why the Foundation funded a pilot project through Interior Health, run by the BC Doctors of Optometry (BCDO) and Central Okanagan Public Schools, to provide kindergarten students with eye exams, and prescription glasses, at no cost to their families.

Thanks to this program, kindergarten students at multiple Central Okanagan elementary schools are receiving one-on-one, comprehensive vision exams while at school. After students receive their exam, they are provided a written copy of their results to bring home. If the optometrist finds a child has vision problems, they will contact the family directly to follow up, and the students who require glasses are provided a pair — courtesy of the BCDO, and our Foundation.

These little learners will now have the best chance of success at life, by starting out with a clear view of the world around them. This type of public health initiative, one that promotes good health, and helps prevent disease and learning difficulties, is one that we are proud to support.

If you would like to contribute to the success of programs like this, please donate today.

The post Making Public Health Visible (Literally): Providing Vision Screening for Children in Central Okanagan appeared first on Pacific Public Health Foundation.

What better way to commemorate World Hepatitis Day on July 28 and honour the 1.3M people who die from Hepatitis globally every year, then to highlight an innovative, equity-based program we have been supporting since the idea was borne, and why we are so compelled to continue making this impact?

Test, Link, Call was created by Dr Sofia Bartlett, the Interim Scientific Director Clinical, Prevention Services at the BCCDC. This initiative helps people with hepatitis B and C and HIV who experience criminalization, such as people who use unregulated drugs, or who are unstably housed, or who experience incarceration, receive treatment by providing them with a cell phone and six months of service to access healthcare and social support.

The program, which was introduced in 2021 to treat hepatitis C and has since expanded, became an immediate success. According to Dr Bartlett, 81% of participants in the program started curative treatment, which is twice higher than what is usually achieved in this population.

What is perhaps more remarkable however, is how this program changes lives beyond just care and treatment. It provides people with hope, dignity, and compassion and demonstrates how important human, people-centred public health can be for equity-deserving populations who encounter barriers when accessing the care they need. Meeting people where they are at, Dr Bartlett routinely works in the community to deliver in-person support and this one story of her experience with just one person who was helped by this initiative, demonstrates the invaluable impact of Test, Link, Call and public health programs that focus on equity, compassion, and a belief in the life-changing outcome of a simple idea.

A new connection leads to life-changing support

Dr Bartlett was helping with outreach at the Maple Ridge Community Hub, where people transitioning from correctional facilities back to the community were coming together to receive support. She was there to provide cell phones for participants already enrolled in Test, Link, Call, but stayed to meet with other folks who were looking for information. A chance encounter with someone visiting the Hub showed her just how important this project had become. Dr Bartlett shared this story with Foundation staff:

Public health as a cost savings

This young man was dealing with a life-threatening virus, with a complex set of intersecting circumstances, but did not have the resources to seek treatment. Test, Link, Call gave him access to a cure and connected him with peer mentors who were able to help with referrals to further treatment and housing, all at a cost savings to our healthcare system.

By testing and treating people before they require hospitalization for liver-related conditions —  including liver transplants and liver cancer, Dr Bartlett estimates a savings to our healthcare system of $5,961 per participant, compared to the program cost of less than $1,000 per person. This is a great example of a public health initiative that is focused on disease prevention, addressing social determinants of health, and upstream action for equity-deserving populations.

Taking steps to achieve Canada’s goal

Canada shares the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. This is a daunting task, as hepatitis is now the world’s deadliest virus, after COVID-19. Although difficult, this goal can be achieved by working together to support projects like Test, Link, Call. With help from donors like you, we can address some of the biggest challenges to disease elimination, which include continued stigma and inequitable access to care, which prevents at risk populations from receiving crucial screening and treatment.

Test, Link, Call is a shining example of the kind of compassionate engagement our Foundation supports. Partners in this project, including the BCCDC, BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, BC Hepatitis Network, and Unlocking the Gates Services Society, as well as our donors, continue to help us as we implement programs and projects grounded in the most pressing public health priorities for British Columbia. Together, we are creating a healthier, safer, and more equitable future for all.

The post One Person’s Path to Healing: How We’re Supporting Test, Link, Call Success Stories appeared first on Pacific Public Health Foundation.