Child & Youth Mental Health
Last updated on August 7, 2024Community-Based Mental Health Services for Children, Youth and Families
Who We Are
The Ministry of Children and Family Development's Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) teams located across B.C. provide a range of mental health assessment and treatment options for children and youth (0-18 years of age) and their families at no cost. Our clinics are staffed by mental health clinicians, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
Our mental health services are voluntary and are designed to support children and youth who experience significant difficulties related to their thoughts, feelings and behaviours. We have ministry, delegated and contracted teams in B.C. whose focus is working with Indigenous children and youth, as well as teams and contracts that provide specialized services.
Our teams also help families find mental health programs and services they could benefit from within their communities. For more information about our services, resources and supports, please review our What to Expect from CYMH Services and CYMH Mental Health and Wellness Resources and Supports.
100 CYMH intake clinics can be accessed in-person and virtually/by phone.
What We Do
Our Services Include:
- Referral and Intake Services - Screening interview, initial supports and service plan, referrals and linkages
- Initial Services - Brief, time-limited early interventions following the intake process
- Assessment Services - Comprehensive and holistic mental health and other specialized assessments through clinical diagnostic interview, and diagnosis
- Therapy & Intervention Services - Treatment plan, individual, family or group psychotherapeutic interventions
- Consultation Services - Providing mental health information and advice to other service providers and families/caregivers to build capacity and support problem-solving
Concerns Most Commonly Addressed:
- Feelings of anxiety
- Low or cycling moods
- Behaviour difficulties
- Self-harm
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviour
- Trauma