As part of PHSA, we operate within the context of a larger mental health and substance use care system in which several organizations and stakeholders play key roles:
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction
- Ministry of Child and Family Development
- Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General
- B.C. Office of the Auditor General
- Regional health authorities
- Criminal justice system
- Community partners and agencies
- Unions
- WorkSafe BC
- Patients, clients and families
Working with PHSA, BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services supports these provincial health care goals as defined by the Ministry of Health:
- Ensure a focus on service delivery areas requiring strategic repositioning
- Support the health and well-being of all in British Columbia through the delivery of high-quality health services
- Deliver a sustainable public health-care system
In support of these goals, BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services has a three-year strategic plan.
The plan is informed by input from many leaders, staff and medical staff across BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services. It also aligns with PHSA's Purpose, Vision, Values, and Teachings and supports PHSA's North Star priorities, as well as the priorities and experiences of our partners in the health care system, government, as well as patients, clients, families, and others.
The core of the 2024-2026 Strategic Plan focuses on four broad areas:
- British Columbians requiring our services will experience timely and efficient access to high-quality care that is informed by evidence – based on research, evaluation, and quality improvement efforts, the perspectives of those with lived and living experience, and clinical expertise
- Clients in our care are safe from toxic drug poisonings and related harm
- We elevate the voices and experiences of families who have lost someone to the toxic drug crisis, and create a culture of patient safety across BCMHSUS
- Our services are guided by, and reflect a deep commitment to, person-centered, trauma-informed, and anti-racist principles
- We are strongly committed to eliminating Indigenous-specific racism, embedding Indigenous cultural safety and humility, and improving Indigenous health and wellness
- We commit to unlearning and undoing colonial and white supremacist approaches that have contributed to the systematic oppression, exclusion and abuse of Indigenous Peoples
- We work in close partnership with the First Nations Health Authority, the regional health authorities, and Indigenous community partners to facilitate Indigenous Peoples' access to our services and to provide care that meets the needs and preferences of Indigenous clients and patients
- We invest in learning, development and high quality training of our workforce to provide optimal care and treatment of the patients and clients we serve
- We believe in a psychologically safe workplace, positive workplace culture and fully recognized the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion
- We meaningfully engage our partners, people with lived and living experience, Indigenous Peoples, and our staff
- We are provincial leaders in clinical care, professional development, and research, with a focus on mental health and co-occurring substance use, adult forensic psychiatric services, and correctional health
- Create an in-house learning program for all forensic disciplines
- We work with partners to adapt to changing priorities, strengthen capacity, and advance system-level improvement
Download a
visual overview (PDF) of the 2024-2026 Strategic Plan.