B.C. provides $100K to aid South Asian people with mental health, substance-use challenges

More help is on the way for South Asian people living in Greater Vancouver who face mental health and substance-use challenges.

More help is on the way for South Asian people living in Greater Vancouver who face mental health and substance-use challenges.

On Monday, the B.C. government announced plans to provide $100,000 in funding to create a community hub in which outreach workers and people with lived experience will connect with South Asians who are currently, or at risk of becoming, homeless.

In a statement, the province explained that the funding will support three, part-time outreach workers who are expected to support between 50 and 75 South Asian individuals who use drugs in the Lower Mainland, and up to 200 family members.

“Outreach workers will connect people and families with wraparound services and resources, such as food banks, income and housing supports, counselling, home detox programs and medical services,” the release details.

Surrey-Green Timbers MLA Rachna Singh says language is one of the major barriers preventing South Asian people from accessing potentially life-saving services.

“Understanding these barriers and using that information to create better services will save lives,” Singh said in Monday’s statement.

By fostering sustained, respectful and culturally responsive relationships, a board member of the South Asian Community Hub expects outreach workers will be able to ensure more families receive vital support.