A significant amount of fresh federal funding, totaling $6.6 million, has been designated for a newly established hub and mobile unit providing mental health services for young people in Yukon. The funding was announced by Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel during a press conference held at the BYTE – Empowering Youth Society building in Whitehorse.
Minister Michel emphasized the importance of better care and early intervention tailored to the needs of youth and young adults in the region. The investment will support the integrated youth services project in Yukon, which will be operated by BYTE.
The project includes the development of a physical hub in Whitehorse that will offer a range of services such as mental health support, housing assistance, employment resources, and educational guidance all under one roof. This hub will be the first of its kind in the territories of Canada, aiming to provide a centralized support system for youth in need.
Additionally, a mobile wellness unit staffed with mental health professionals will be deployed to reach rural and remote communities across the territory. Plans are in place to launch both programs by the summer of 2027, as outlined by wellness director Abbey Gartner during the press conference.
Gartner highlighted the increasing mental health challenges faced by youth aged 12 to 24 nationwide, with Yukon experiencing a surge in demand for mental health services, including a notable increase in calls related to suicidal thoughts. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the new youth services hub aims to provide accessible and culturally sensitive support, including the potential inclusion of an Indigenous elder to offer traditional services and healing practices.
The initiative comes in response to the growing concern over the mental well-being of young people, with statistics showing a 64% rise in calls for help in Yukon during the first half of this year compared to the same period last year. Gartner stressed the importance of timely support to prevent unnecessary struggles and long-term impacts on the well-being of youth and their families.