First-in-Canada mental health initiative for kids at BC Children’s Hospital enabled by historic donation

Over 1 in 10 children and youth in British Columbia have a mental health condition at any given time

Vancouver, BC (January 8, 2025) – BC Children’s Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation today announced the largest mental health donation in their histories: $15 million from Save-On-Foods. The donation will spark the development of a first–in–Canada Interventional Psychiatry Initiative and enable BC Children’s Hospital to expand and enhance mental health services such as the Transition and Linking Care Team, which will increase outreach to support children and youth with complex mental health needs. The historic donation will also enable the establishment of an endowed Hospital Chair to pursue research and care innovations in mental health and substance use.

Speaking about the donation, Dr. Roberto Sassi, psychiatrist in chief, BC Children’s Hospital, said, “Today, of the children and adolescents in B.C. who live with severe mental health illnesses, a portion have stopped responding to their existing treatments. This funding will play a vital role in improving care practices and will enhance mental health education and training across the province. This will have a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of children and youth with severe mental health concerns.”

“Young people in B.C. are facing significant and complex challenges and they need accessible supports in place to ensure they can have a healthy and fulfilling future,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Thanks to this incredible donation, BC Children’s Hospital can keep building on the crucial work they do to provide the best care to children and youth.”

As part of ongoing efforts to address mental health challenges, BC Children’s Hospital is exploring new or enhanced treatments including brain stimulation technologies, the introduction of novel drug treatments and the use of digital therapeutics like virtual reality, in the delivery of care.

“75 per cent of mental illnesses begin before the age of 25. Through early intervention, treatment and care, we can prevent more kids and youth from experiencing a lifetime of challenges,” said Malcolm Berry, president and CEO, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “This extraordinary $15-million gift from Save-On-Foods propels the vision for a brighter future for children across British Columbia. It empowers BC Children’s Hospital leadership to recruit top talent, expand critical programs, and transform how mental health care is delivered – creating meaningful change for thousands of young lives and, ultimately, creating stronger communities.”

With this donation, Save-On-Foods has become BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s largest cumulative giving corporate partner, committing $60 million to date.

“There is nothing more important than the health of our children – because they are our future,” said Darrell Jones, Save-On-Foods president. “In every Save-On-Foods across British Columbia, our incredible team members do amazing work to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital. Our passion for giving back is shared by our customers, suppliers and business partners who generously support this outstanding facility and the experts in it. The folks at BC Children’s commit their lives to helping sick children get better, and we are lucky to play a part in enabling this life-changing care.”

First–in–Canada: Interventional Psychiatry Initiative 

This gift will help BC Children’s Hospital establish an Interventional Psychiatry Initiative. Interventional Psychiatry is an emerging subspeciality in mental health care focusing on children and youth who have not responded to standard mental health treatments.

The Transition and Linking Care (TLC) Team at BC Children’s Hospital 

The gift will help increase the reach of TLC teams and will equip health care providers to manage mental health concerns, aiming to reduce mental health burdens and create stronger communities.

Establishment of endowed hospital chair in mental health and substance use at BC Children’s Hospital

BC Children’s Hospital is fortunate to have two established Hospital Chairs in pediatric mental health and research. The addition of a Hospital Chair in Mental Health and Substance Use further expands the scope in transforming mental health care for kids, youth and young adults.

To learn more about BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, or to make a donation, please visit bcchf.ca.

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About BC Children’s Hospital

BC Children’s Hospital is a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority and provides expert care for the province’s most seriously ill or injured newborns, children, youth and young adults. BCCH’s Child, Youth and Young Adult Mental Health and Substance Use Program provides a diverse range of specialized and one-of-a-kind tertiary mental health and substance use services for children, adolescents and young adults across the province. For more information, visit www.bcchildrens.ca or follow us on Instagram @bcchildrens.

About BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

At BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, we’re on a quest to ensure kids receive the best health care imaginable. We collaborate with our healthcare partners to work towards a shared vision for child and youth health. We raise funds to provide kids with excellence in healthcare by continuously driving advancements provincially and globally. The generosity of donors fuels our ability to conquer childhood diseases, prevent illness and injury, and prioritize the unique needs of kids in every aspect of their care. Follow us at @bcchf or visit bcchf.ca for more information.

About Save-On-Foods

Save-On-Foods is a Pattison Food Group business, committed to giving a little extra to customers in every community served, every day. Known for its unique approach in customizing each store to best suit the needs of the neighbourhood by carrying more than 2,500 locally-made products from more than 2,000 local growers and producers, the company has been innovating and putting customers first for more than 100 years. Save-On-Foods, its supplier partners, team members and generous customers have committed more than $60 million to children’s hospitals and contribute $3 million in donations to food banks across Western Canada each year.