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Coast Mental Health
Coast Mental Health believes that recovery from mental illness is possible and for over 50 years, the staff and volunteers have been accomplishing this by providing housing, support services, employment, and education. Thousands of people living with mental illness or substance use disorders are supported every year.
Coast provides residential care services to over 1,000 people at dozens of facilities in Greater Vancouver, and they help connect people with the skills and opportunities they need to pursue meaningful occupations.
Brain Training
Mental illness and addiction can change how your brain functions, making everyday tasks more difficult. For example, remembering an appointment, dealing with a delayed bus or managing emotions can become challenging. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Coast Mental Health has developed a unique-to-Coast Brain Training program. It incorporates a mix of Cognitive Remediation, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Brain Games, activities and more. Hundreds of clients across Coast are accessing the program every year, and seeing tangible results in their day to day lives.
Peer Support Training
People with lived experience of mental illness trained as Peer Support Workers play an important part in BC’s healthcare system, while offering valuable employment to the workers themselves. Peer Support Workers at Coast undergo a three-month training course, followed by a practicum. Some go on to be employed at Coast’s sites, while others provide invaluable support at places like St Paul’s Hospital and BC Children’s hospital.
Employment
Coast’s Transitional Employment Program allows members to participate in supported, healing work experience, and ease back into the workforce at their own pace. Opportunities include Culinary Training, the Street Clean Team, Landscaping With Heart team, as well as education opportunities.
Help for the Future
At Coast, they believe in seeing people as they are, and then helping them to imagine their future by providing them with all the support services they need to get there.
HELPING HANDS
“The hospital saved my life, Coast taught me how to live”