B.C. improving care for people with mental-health, substance-use challenges

The Province is taking action to improve care for people who suffer from severe, overlapping mental-health and substance-use challenges, including brain injuries from toxic-drug poisonings, ensuring they have the right care to meet their needs.

“The Mental Health Act is designed to ensure people suffering from severe mental illness get the care and protection they need,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “The needs of this vulnerable population have become more complex and further support is needed through involuntary care facilities and continued work with partners. We are also clarifying the act’s application to ensure consistency and to support a seamless system of mental-health and substance-use care that works for everyone, while keeping our communities safe.”

On March 12, 2025, Dr. Daniel Vigo issued a guidance document to the clinical community, including doctors and psychiatrists across all health authorities, to provide clarification on how the Mental Health Act can be used to provide involuntary care for adults when they are unable to seek it themselves. Vigo is B.C.’s chief scientific adviser for psychiatry, toxic drugs and concurrent disorders.

“Involuntary treatment can be a tool to preserve life and treat the source of impairment in people with combinations of mental disorders, substance use and acquired brain injuries from toxic-drug poisonings,” Vigo said. “Dispelling misconceptions about the use of the act is a first step to support this population, in addition to creating new services, including mental-health units in corrections, approved homes, in-patient beds and community teams supporting the most complex patients and under-served areas.”