Northern Health to keep Saplings’ outpatient youth mental health contract 

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health has confirmed the Saplings Mental Health Services’ outpatient contract will not be terminated.

In a video posted to Facebook on November 17th, Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy told residents he received confirmation from Northern Health that Saplings’ outpatient services will continue, despite earlier information suggesting the program would end in March 2026.

“I heard about the Saplings contract getting terminated, and I was mad,” Kealy said in the video. “That’s our youth and they’re vulnerable youth.”

In a statement to Energeticcity.ca, Northern Health confirmed Saplings will continue to provide outpatient mental health and substance use care for youth under contract to the health authority.

“To clarify, there was no plan to cancel or not renew the contract for outpatient services,” the statement said.

According to Northern Health, the change coming in April 2026 relates specifically to acute and emergency department services. 

Under a new model, mental health and substance use support in ER settings will transition from contracted services to being provided directly by Northern Health staff.

“Children and youth who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis will be supported by the Northern Health mental health and substance use liaison staff in the emergency department, as well as by Northern Health’s new child and youth mental health and substance use regional support team,” Northern Health said.

Kealy said he had contacted Saplings director Julia Hintermeister and arranged meetings with leadership at Foundry, the YMCA, Northern Health’s president and vice-president and health minister Josie Osborne to advocate for the program’s continuation.

“I just heard back from Northern Health that the contract for outpatient care for Saplings is not going to be terminated, which is excellent,” Kealy said. “When I contacted Julie, she was thrilled.”

The update follows October 9th’s question period in the Legislative Assembly of B.C., where Kealy publicly urged Osborne to reverse what he described as the loss of a “vital” youth mental health resource. 

Saplings, which partners with Northern Health through the Northern Health Stabilization Program, offers counselling, care coordination, group programs and parent support for youth in acute mental health or substance-use crises.

Kealy noted in his video that while outpatient care will remain with Saplings, there are still plans to make changes to how youth mental health is handled in emergency departments.

Kealy ended the video by calling the development a “great win,” and that he will share more details at a later time.

“It’s great when you advocate,” he said. “Sometimes you advocate so much you beat your head against the wall, but this is one of those ones where it’s a great win.”

Energeticcity.ca reached out to Saplings Mental Health Services for more details but did not receive a response in time for publication.