New program supports mental wellness for West Kelowna residents
April 20, 2021, Kelowna, BC – Thanks to Third Space Life Charity and West Kelowna Daybreak Rotary club, young adults who live on the westside of Okanagan Lake now have more opportunities to access mental health care supports.
Through their Love for the Westside Virtual Silent Auction event in February, West Kelowna Daybreak Rotary raised close to $6,000. The club decided to donate the funds to Third Space Charity to help launch Mental Wellness West, a new program to provide dedicated funding for free, supportive care counselling for young adults between 18 and 29 who live on the Westside.
“We know mental health concerns are rising for young adults everywhere. Particularly with the additional strain of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to provide safe spaces and outlets to support and build mental resilience in our youth,” says Third Space Charity executive director Karen Mason. “We’re proud to do that at Third Space Charity through our free counselling programs, and are delighted to serve the West Kelowna and Westside communities even more intentionally with this new fund.”
Mental Wellness West will operate under Third Space Charity’s Community Care Program that allows young adults in need to access supportive care counselling at no cost. The services are provided by graduate level, counsellors-in-training who work in the Charity’s internship program under the supervision of highly skilled, clinical counsellors.
“When we look at how our fundraising dollars can have the most impact for residents of the communities we serve, we think a lot about the mental health of young people. We could all use a little help right now, and we know supporting the mental health of young adults benefits the whole community so we’re delighted to help Third Space Charity launch this new fund and create greater access to mental health services for young people on the Westside,” says West Kelowna Rotary president, Melissa Hunt.
Third Space Charity’s mission is to build mental wellness and resiliency in young people throughout their educational experience and transition into adulthood through education, programs, and counselling. Third Space Charity is committed to a proactive and preventative approach to mental health for young people on their way to becoming thriving and healthy adults, and envisions a world where mental wellness is prioritized and mental health services are accessible to everyone.
