There are numerous community-based agencies that support the mental health of teens, and their families. This page provides three listings of agencies:
1. Our school district website lists many of these agencies, click here.
2. Here is a snapshot of agencies as of October 2023:
3. Other agencies:
Access Youth
Provides community outreach alongside targeted programming including a Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) open to youth ages 12-23 offering 1:1 support but not intended to be a long-term resource.
This program can help youth learn to manage:
- Anxiety/Depression
- Relationships
- Life Skills
- Substance use/Misuse
- Peer Pressure
- School Concerns
- Mentorship
- Trauma
https://accessyouth.org/ - to read about all services
https://accessyouth.org/youth-empowerment/ - regarding YEP Program and referrals
PLEA Community Services
Located in Port Coquitlam, PLEA offers a range of supports. Those accessible without Ministry referral are:
Kidstart (Ages 6-12) – 1:1 mentoring program for youth ages 6-12 (13+ requires Ministry referral).
https://www.plea.ca/youth-programs/mentoring/kidstart/
Generation-Out – Free support group, ages 13-18 for youth exploring gender and sexuality.
https://www.plea.ca/youth-programs/peer-support/gen-out/
TransSupport – Free support sessions for transgender youth.
https://www.plea.ca/youth-programs/peer-support/transsupport/
Onyx – Free support service, ages 13-18 for youth at risk of sexual exploitation.
https://www.plea.ca/youth-programs/youth-outreach/onyx/
Children of the Street – Prevention workshops offered in Grades 4-12. We have a district scope and sequence for middle and secondary involving all three workshops and an optional parent session.
https://www.plea.ca/prevention/children-of-the-street/
Indigenous Child & Youth Mental Health
A culturally informed resource supporting indigenous children and families seeking support for mental health and well-being. Goal of the resource is to make accessing mental health support as easy as possible.
- Contact Darryl Phelan (Team Leader) for consultation/guidance
- 604-933-2073, #101-504 Cottonwood Avenue, Coquitlam
- Provides outreach support (see ICYMH Outreach Workers below) and in-office counselling with an individualized focus
- Elder support
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health/indigenous-child-teen-mental-health
ICYMH Outreach Workers
ICYMH Outreach workers link Indigenous children, youth and their families to needed services. Their focus is to establish relationship and to explore alongside clients access to services. Criteria:
- Aboriginal/Indigenous ancestry
- Open to exploring services (if only 'somewhat')
- Concerns linked to mild to severe mental illness or poor emotional wellness
- May need an outreach approach
- Interested in culturally informed mental health support
Kayla MacKenzie (Coquitlam/Port Moody)
kayla.mackenzie@gov.bc.ca
604-562-7193
Roger Ekman (Port Coquitlam)
roger.ekman@gov.bc.ca
604-816-5580
