Trinity Recovery House in Prince Rupert is one of five mental health and addiction treatment centres in B.C. that will pilot a new provincial program offering enhanced employment and job training for people in recovery.
Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Sheila Malcolmson announced the three-year pilot project, along with a $4.9-million grant for the Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division, on Friday.
"We all want people going through addiction treatment to have the care and support they need to recover," Malcolmson said. "Integrating employment services into some publicly funded treatment beds will help people get the jobs and connections they need to build a better life."
The pilot project is expected to start this spring at Turning Points Collaborative Society in Vernon (eight beds), Connective in Nanaimo (15 beds), ASK Wellness Society in Kamloops (12 beds), Penticton Recovery Resource Society in Penticton (five beds) and Trinity Recovery House in Prince Rupert (six beds).
Residents receiving mental health and addiction treatment will also receive support and training in pre-employment skills, job search and maintenance support, as well as a range of mental-health and substance-use interventions.
"The recovery journey does not end once you leave a recovery centre; this is why it's important to support life and employment skills during treatment, which we know can help strengthen purpose and meaning in a person's life," said Jonny Morris, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division. "We hear from clients about how employment can provide a powerful remedy to support self-determination and dignity. Pairing people with employment supports is investing in wraparound recovery that benefits society as a whole."
