The Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation is dedicated to supporting initiatives that help shine a light on mental health in our community. As a part of this effort, we are proud to share the news of our $100,000 donation to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation in support of the hospital’s new Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre.

The funds will be used to support the new 36,500 square-metre facility that will provide 75 mental health beds, state-of-the-art patient care and increased psychiatric training for the next generation of caregivers. It will include Fraser Health’s first older adult psychiatric unit, a psychiatric high acuity unit, and new and expanded outpatient clinics, all to replace the aging 30-bed Sherbrooke Centre.

“With our new mental health centre, we are creating an ideal environment for patients that is inviting, soothing, and spacious,” says Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation President and CEO Jeff Norris. “With its major investment, Pacific Blue Cross is making a meaningful and healthy difference in the lives of British Columbians and helping to set the stage for mental health care for decades to come.”

The new Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre, located in New Westminster, B.C., is scheduled to open in 2020. It is the first of a three-phase redevelopment plan for the hospital, which also includes a new acute care tower and an expanded emergency department. To learn more about the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation and the new Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre project, visit rchfoundation.com.

Read the full news release

The Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation was created in 2012 and supports organizations in B.C. that are improving outcomes in the areas of chronic disease and mental illness. If you know of a not-for-profit organization interested in applying for funding, invite them to visit the Health Foundation page.