Mental Health Campaign Close

We did it.

Today marks the beginning of a brighter future for mental health care in our communities.

March 10, 2022, marked the official launch of the We see you campaign for mental health care in our region. The commitment was to raise $1.7 million to build the sustainable, inclusive, and accessible system of mental health care that we all deserve.

Thanks to you and others in the community stepping up to say ‘We see you,’ we have achieved our goal, raising $1.77 million to bring world-class mental health care to our region in just 5 months!

Giving truly does change everything.

“This funding will allow us to provide families, parents, and caregivers direct, on-site assistance through individualized peer-based practical, emotional, and social supports. The Family Peer Supporter role adds another layer of support that will empower and inform parents as they work through the issues the young people in their lives are facing”

Mike Gawliuk, CEO, CMHA Kelowna on the Family Peer Supporter Role funded by the campaign

“This funding will allow us to provide families, parents, and caregivers direct, on-site assistance through individualized peer-based practical, emotional, and social supports. The role adds another layer of support that will empower and inform parents as they work through the issues the young people in their lives are facing”

Mike Gawliuk, CEO, CMHA Kelowna on the Family Peer Supporter Role funded by the campaign

“This funding will allow us to provide families, parents, and caregivers direct, on-site assistance through individualized peer-based practical, emotional, and social supports. The Family Peer Supporter role adds another layer of support that will empower and inform parents as they work through the issues the young people in their lives are facing”

 

Mike Gawliuk, CEO, CMHA Kelowna on the Family Peer Supporter Role funded by the campaign

We see you.

The birth of a child, the passing of a loved one, a life-altering injury or trauma. A pandemic.

Sometimes (often), seemingly no reason at all.

Mental well-being has become one of the most pervasive health challenges our communities face.  It has been a critical concern in our region for some time, affecting people of all ages, genders, and socio-economic conditions, and affecting some communities disproportionately more than others.  The pandemic has magnified the crisis. So many of us, our family members, friends, co-workers, neighbours are struggling.

Many are just coping, hoping things will get better.

Those who are struggling with mild or moderate symptoms need more, safe options for early intervention. Now, thanks to your support, we have begun to restore and reimagine the mental health care system that is so desperately needed in our region.

We see you.

The birth of a child, the passing of a loved one, a life-altering injury or trauma. A pandemic.
Sometimes (often), seemingly no reason at all.

Mental well-being has become one of the most pervasive health challenges our communities face.  It has been a critical concern in our region for some time, affecting people of all ages, genders, and socio-economic conditions, and affecting some communities disproportionately more than others.  The pandemic has magnified the crisis. So many of us, our family members, friends, co-workers, neighbours are struggling.

Many are just coping, hoping things will get better.

Those who are struggling with mild or moderate symptoms need more, safe options for early intervention. Now, thanks to your support, we have begun to restore and reimagine the mental health care system that is so desperately needed in our region.

We see you.

The birth of a child, the passing of a loved one, a life-altering injury or trauma. A pandemic.
Sometimes (often), seemingly no reason at all.

Mental well-being has become one of the most pervasive health challenges our communities face.  It has been a critical concern in our region for some time, affecting people of all ages, genders, and socio-economic conditions, and affecting some communities disproportionately more than others.  The pandemic has magnified the crisis. So many of us, our family members, friends, co-workers, neighbours are struggling.

Many are just coping, hoping things will get better.

Those who are struggling with mild or moderate symptoms need more, safe options for early intervention. Now, thanks to your support, we have begun to restore and reimagine the mental health care system that is so desperately needed in our region.

Five people icon
900,000

British Columbians (1 in 5) currently experiencing a mental health issue or substance use disorder

Mental Health Icon
41%

increase in moderate to severe mental health referrals in the Interior Health region from January 2019 to December 2021

One in two icon
1 in 2

has experienced mental health challenges by the age of 40

Children icon
58,000

children in B.C. are not receiving the mental health treatment they need

“Like all not-for-profit agencies, our ability to service is always connected directly to our funding. This funding allows us to expand on the important work we are doing to support these most vulnerable little members of our community when they need it most. We are deeply grateful to all who supported this campaign and who will continue to give in support of local mental health programs.”


Ginny Becker, Executive Director, Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna  

“Like all not-for-profit agencies, our ability to service is always connected directly to our funding. This funding allows us to expand on the important work we are doing to support these most vulnerable little members of our community when they need it most. We are deeply grateful to all who supported this campaign and who will continue to give in support of local mental health programs.”

Ginny Becker, Executive Director, Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna

Mental Health Cabinet for the KGH Foundation 'We see you' mental health fundraiser

Together, we are the solution.

To build a system of mental health care that is sustainable, inclusive, and accessible to all, we need to work together.

A cabinet consisting of individuals from community partners including the Canadian Mental Health Association – Kelowna, KCR Community Resources, the Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna, and Interior Health acute and community mental health care teams has been assembled to support the campaign and its outcomes.  Each brings an important perspective and holds a vested interest in the transformation the campaign seeks to deliver, and will play a crucial role in the Mental Health Collective Impact Fund, with the first meeting set for October 7, 2022.

Mental Health Cabinet for the KGH Foundation 'We see you' mental health fundraiser

Together, we are the solution.

To build a system of mental health care that is sustainable, inclusive, and accessible to all, we need to work together.

A cabinet consisting of individuals from community partners including the Canadian Mental Health Association – Kelowna, KCR Community Resources, the Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna, and Interior Health acute and community mental health care teams has been assembled to support the campaign and its outcomes.  Each brings an important perspective and holds a vested interest in the transformation the campaign seeks to deliver, and will play a crucial role in the Mental Health Collective Impact Fund, with the first meeting set for October 7, 2022.

Your impact on Mental Health Care.

Immediate Needs

The need for immediate impact was clear, and your support has delivered just that. Our mental healthcare partners have already received funding for programs such as:

Interior Health – $20,080 for the creation of a trauma-informed clinical space at Outreach Urban Health and the introduction of a contingency management program for the ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) Program, in addition to medical and comfort items.
CMHA – $160,000 for 2 years of a Family Peer Supporter position for the Family Services program based out of Foundry Kelowna.
CAC – $200,000 for Counsellors & Coordinators for the Resilient Families Program.
KCR – $120,000 for Family Hub, Immigrant & Refugee support, Crisis Line Responder support, & training for suicide awareness & crisis response.

System Transformation

The development of the KGH Foundation’s Mental Health Collective Impact Fund will support systems-focused research, planning, evaluation, and seed funding. This will include developing a continuum of care model for mental health and substance use. This fund aims to identify, articulate, and address systemic issues in mental health care through investment in people capable of re-imagining the system. Furthermore, this fund will engage many community mental health care partners and facilitate continuous knowledge development and exchange.

The creation of the Mental Health Collective Impact Fund is well underway with the first meeting set for October 7, 2022 to establish the purpose and goals of the fund, as well as establish the representatives and their roles

We see you

Together, we are the solution.

The ‘We see you’ campaign set out to raise $1.7 million for mental health care to fund both immediate community support and comprehensive system transformation in the Southern Interior. Thanks to the generous support of the community, we have achieved our goal.

Giving truly does change everything. Thank you.

Mental Health resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, support is available:




Mental Health resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, support is available: