The Carlile Centre saves and changes lives - I can personally vouch for that. This unique youth inpatient concurrent disorders centre has been instrumental in treating and supporting teens (ages 13-18) with addictions and mental illnesses, providing hope and support not only for youth but also families. The closure of this facility would mean stripping away an essential lifeline for many vulnerable young people across BC.

The Carlile Centre is not just any treatment facility; it is the only one of its kind in Western Canada, located in the Hope Centre at Lions Gate Hospital. Since its opening in 2017, it has served as a beacon of hope for countless young individuals grappling with co-occurring disorders. According to Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), approximately 5-7% of youth and young adults across Canada have had a serious mental illness – that's about 1 out of every 15 people aged 15 to 24 years (CMHA). Furthermore, research indicates that substance abuse often goes hand-in-hand with mental health issues among adolescents (Canadian Institute for Health Information). Despite being in a toxic drug crisis and the rising number of mental illnesses, Vancouver Costal Health has decided to quietly close the centre.

The closure in early March 2024 would mean denying these vulnerable individuals access to specialized care they desperately need. It would be an enormous setback not just on individual lives but also on our collective efforts towards addressing mental health and addiction issues among our youth population.

We cannot let this happen. We must stand together against this decision and fight for the continued operation of the Carlile Centre - because every teen deserves access to comprehensive care that can truly change their life trajectory.

This petition is not asking the Minister and VCH to choose between providing mental health / addiction treatment services to either the teen population (ages 13-18) or young adults (18-24). We want to keep the Carlile Centre in operation AND also provide in patient beds for the "Missing Middle" of young adults. Treat the teens now and in the future we will have less young adults in crisis.

Please join me in urging Adrian Dix and the Ministry of Health to step in and overturn this decision and launch an investigation into the mishandling by Vancouver Coastal Health.

The BC Ministry of Health has the ability to mandate that Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) continue operations at the Carlile Youth Concurrent Disorders Centre for ages 13-18. Therefore, this petition will also be sent to the Ministry of Health (Honourable Adrian Dix). 

With the transition to an acute young adult unit set after March 15, 2024, time is critical. Help us fight for Carlile by emailing the Honourable Adrian Dix's office today. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL LETTERS TO MLAs AND GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES ARE CONFIDENTIAL.

You can email to: HLTH.Minister@gov.bc.ca

 

A template letter (you can copy and paste) is:

 

Dear Minister Dix:

 

As a concerned BC voter, I strongly request that the Ministry of Health require Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) to continue Carlile operations for adolescents who struggle with mental health and substance use disorders.

 

VCH has not adequately demonstrated that a transition to an acute young adult unit has a higher need than adolescent care. As well, VCH has not offered adequate, feasible solutions for other youth mental health supports. Alternatives they may suggest are inaccessible or unavailable. The closure of Carlile as an adolescent unit will create an enormous gap for our young people, and early intervention would mitigate adult psychiatric stays.

 

My vote on or before October 19, 2024 will be for a government who chooses to uphold the mental health and substance use challenges of our young people.

 

NAME

CONSTITUENCY (or address)

We vote for government that supports mental health for ALL.

Sign this petition today, and keep hope alive for teens and young adults!