What is ICY? 

Integrated Child & Youth (ICY) teams bring kids’ support networks together to provide holistic mental health and substance use care.  

Young people who need mental health or substance-use supports often get help from lots of different people. They might work with a clinical counsellor at school, a therapist at a clinic or Foundry Youth Centre and a support group at a community centre, as well as with informal supports like family and friends.  

With ICY, the whole network connects to make sure that the young person is at the centre of their own care. The integrated model means kids and families don’t need to navigate a complex system of care providers on their own, and everyone stays in touch about what’s going on.   

How do I access ICY services? 

ICY teams are being set up across BC, and many are up and running now. The teams are organized by school district, but they support kids up to age 19 whether they’re in public school, private school, or First Nations schools, or if they’re not in school at all.  

Children, youth and families can connect with ICY teams by getting in touch with school counsellors or teachers, local Health Authority mental health and substance use teams or Child and Youth Mental Health intake clinics. They can also speak to a family doctor or nurse practitioner to ask for a referral. In communities that have both ICY teams and a Foundry Youth Centre, people can also connect with ICY through the Foundry. 

Who is on the ICY Team? 

ICY teams include support and health care workers working for Health Authorities, school districts and the Ministry of Children and Family Development, as well as others. Team members include clinicians, peer support workers and clinical counsellors, as well as people dedicated to supporting Indigenous youth, substance use clinicians and administrative staff. The ICY team may also connect with other supporters if requested, such as family or community supports, spiritual leaders, Indigenous Elders, coaches and other counsellors or professionals. 

What can I expect from ICY services? 

When you connect with ICY, a team member will meet or call you to talk about your needs and explain the service. You’ll also fill out some forms, like a consent form for different team members to share information with each other. They will connect you to the ICY team member who can best meet your needs.  

You’ll talk a lot with your support team, but you may also do other things, like take on learning activities or learn new skills to manage mental health concerns. When you no longer need support from ICY, you’ll be connected with other supports in your community. 

How is ICY different from other services? 

Mental health and substance use care works best when everyone is working together as a team.  ICY teams offer new mental health and substance use supports and pull together existing ones to support children and youth in ways that work for best for them.   

ICY teams allow children, young people and families to avoid repetitive conversations with different supporters. Team members work with young people and their families to create collaborative and personalized care plans, helping to navigate the landscape of supports and to make sure there are smooth hand-offs between services. 

When will ICY come to my community? 

ICY teams are currently rolling out across the province. As of June 2025, there are currently 20 communities with ICY Teams. For a full list, visit the ICY Teams webpage, or click the Integrated Child & Youth Services resource card below.