By: Aslam (he/they) & Lee (she/they) B次元官网网址� Provincial Youth Advisors, writers with Foundry BC

ItB次元官网网址檚 July 2019 and the sun is beaming in AslamB次元官网网址檚 life. TheyB次元官网网址檝e just graduated and like many others, have hopes for a bright future in the big city B次元官网网址� being openly queer and comfortable, making new friends, and being immersed in the multicultural downtown square.

One year later, when COVID-19 became a global pandemic, the isolation caused their mental health to worsen and along with it, a rising battle with substance use, making it near impossible for Aslam to access resources.

B次元官网网址淎t first, I wasnB次元官网网址檛 even aware that I was at my worst,B次元官网网址� Aslam recalls. B次元官网网址淚 was so used to my routine: wake up, still feeling numb and empty, pack a bowl and take a couple of tokes out of my bedroom window, then go back to sleep. It was intense denial and numbing.B次元官网网址�

Last summer, Aslam gained the courage to reach out and receive help for their substance use and mental health challenges. They went to , an integrated youth service that provides mental health care, substance use services, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer support and social services for young people ages 12-24 and their families/caregivers across BC.

B次元官网网址淚 was struggling my whole life and thought that self-medicating with drugs and alcohol was easier than speaking about what I had gone through,B次元官网网址� says Aslam. Over the last couple of months, they also worked with doctors and peer support workers to begin taking medications, speaking to a physician regularly and learning harm reduction strategies.

Similarly, Lee, a Foundry provincial youth advisor alongside Aslam, also experienced worsening mental health during the pandemic. As Foundry provincial youth advisors, both Aslam and Lee share their perspectives to make Foundry services youth-friendly and inclusive to others.

B次元官网网址淔oundry is different from a lot of other placesB次元官网网址攊tB次元官网网址檚 a community shaped by youth with diverse, living experiences,B次元官网网址� Lee shares. B次元官网网址淭o those of you who feel isolated or lonely B次元官网网址� know that you are not alone. I felt stuck for a long time and with help, I realized the way I had been living was not the path I had to follow.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲hen I went to Foundry, I was accepted,B次元官网网址� says Aslam. B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 need to explain why I made the choices I did because they already knew why, and they didnB次元官网网址檛 care. They just wanted me to feel supported and loved.B次元官网网址�

At Foundry, no problem is too small or too big. Young people can walk into a local Foundry centre, explore online tools and resources at foundrybc.ca, or through the Foundry BC app.

To learn more, visit .