BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, along with our partners - Kwikwetlem First Nation and BC Housing - is honoured to announce the name of the new, state-of-the-art mental health and substance use treatment facility currently under construction on the Riverview Lands in Coquitlam.
The Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction will be an innovative provincial treatment facility that will serve some of the most vulnerable people in British Columbia—those with complex, concurrent mental health and substance use challenges. Slated to open in late 2021, the treatment centre will create a space for recovery and healing through a gold-standard model of care that prioritizes trauma-informed practice, dignity, therapeutic spaces and programs, and virtual health.
The name of the centre was chosen in collaboration with project partners. Red Fish speaks to the history and connection to the Riverview Lands and pays homage to the abundant salmon in the river that runs through the area. Healing Centre captures the healing journey that will be centred on client needs. The Kwikwetlem First Nation's connection to the land will also be signified through incorporating design features and Indigenous artwork that have been developed in collaboration with project partners.
Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction will feature dedicated spaces for research, knowledge exchange and education, as well as virtual technologies such as fully electronic client medical records, allowing care providers to spend more time caring for clients and less time waiting for information.
Construction on the new centre began in 2017 but was paused at the end of that year to take time to do vital archaeological investigative work at the site following the discovery of Indigenous artefacts. During this time, PHSA and BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services worked closely with BC Housing and the Kwikwetlem First Nation to ensure the right steps were taken to examine and document the findings.
Quotes:
Hon. Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
"It's inspiring to collaborate with the Kwikwetlem First Nation, honour their traditional lands, and realize a vision to establish mental health and substance use services in Kwikwetlem territory. People need compassion and kindness now more than ever and Red Fish will deliver gold standard treatment and recovery services building on a system of mental health and substance use supports that makes people feel safe and cared for when they are most vulnerable."
Lynn Pelletier, Vice President, BCMHSUS
"We are proud to be working in partnership with the Kwikwetlem First Nation on this project, and the name honours their historic connection to the Riverview Lands. We greatly value their consultation and contributions to making the centre a reality. At BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, we are dedicated to supporting people with concurrent mental health and substance use conditions on their journey to recovery, and we look forward to welcoming patients at Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction in 2021."
Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
"For generations, the people of the Kwikwetlem First Nation have been stewards of the lands on which the Red Fish Healing Centre is being built. This new name is an important step in honouring that connection, and we will continue to develop more opportunities like this as we work with the Nation to move forward on our shared long-term vision for Riverview."
Benoit Morin, CEO, Provincial Health Services Authority
"This is a meaningful project to honour the Riverview Lands of the Kwikwetlem First Nation. Every person in B.C. deserves high-quality public mental health care. This new state-of-the-art facility will make a significant, positive impact on the lives of British Columbians struggling with mental health and substance use issues by offering a gold-standard model of care that prioritizes trauma-informed practice, dignity, therapeutic spaces and programs, and virtual health care."
Quick facts:
- The new provincial facility will have 105 beds and replaces the 94-bed Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addiction in Burnaby.
- The environment is designed to support recovery and build on the excellent care that staff provide and will feature open views, therapeutic lighting, spiritual spaces and Indigenous art.
- The entire centre will be virtually enabled, including a multi-purpose room for community events, allowing patients, families, caregivers and educators across the province to connect.
Learn more:
The Provincial Health Services Authority plans, manages and evaluates selected specialty health care services across BC, working with the five regional health authorities, First Nations Health Authority and the Ministry of Health to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For more information, visit
www.phsa.ca or follow us @PHSAofBC.
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PHSA media line: 778-867-7472
