Isabela Zabava, the Executive Director of Coast Mental Health Foundation, is at the forefront of providing transformative community-based mental health services in BC. The Foundation funds essential programs such as housing support, affordable meals, music and brain training therapy, peer support, and employment opportunities, aiming to keep individuals out of the hospital and thriving within their community. We spoke with Isabela to learn insights into the challenges they address, about the organization’s evolution, and about the critical need for continued support and innovation in mental health services.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Coast Mental Health Foundation funds innovative and enhanced mental health programs in BC, including housing support, affordable meals, music therapy, brain training, peer support training and employment opportunities to name but a few. We aim to support people in their community, to keep them out of hospital and give them the chance to thrive.
What problem does it aim to solve?
We’re in the midst of three intersecting crises: the mental health crisis, the poisoned drug crisis and the housing crisis. Increasing numbers of people are finding themselves impacted by one or more of them.
Imagine for a moment what it would be like to leave a hospital after receiving mental health treatment, only to return to a life of isolation, without a home, without employment, and without a supportive community. For too many in our community, this is a reality that leaves them vulnerable.
Coast Mental Health steps in to bridge this gap by firstly providing stable housing and then creating a supportive environment where people can continue to work on their recovery at their own pace, develop healthy routines, and gain the confidence and skills needed for independence.
For individuals living with mental illness, this kind of support isn’t just nice to have—it can be life-changing and often life-saving.
When did you start/join it?
I’ve been at Coast Mental Health Foundation for 10 years now.
What made you want to get involved?
Mental health is something that I’ve always had a personal interest in, and when I heard about Coast Mental Health’s work, I knew I had an incredible opportunity to help raise awareness and funds for Coast Mental Health to continue to innovate in this space.
Many people believe that mental health care happens only in hospitals. And while the hospital plays a critical role, this is a short-term solution. Community-based programs like what Coast provides pick up from there, and are crucial to the long-term wellness and sustained recovery of people living with mental illness.
I’m so proud to be raising funds for such powerful and impactful work.
What was the situation like when you started?
In 2015, mental health was starting to gain traction as a more ‘mainstream’ issue, although stigma still persisted, so many people continued to suffer in silence. And people didn’t have much of an awareness of the role that community-based mental health services can play in the long-term recovery of an individual (as opposed to hospital or psychiatric care).
How has it changed since?
Although more people are aware of the need for community-based mental health services, the need has grown more than we could possibly have imagined.
The combined effect of the worsening poisoned drug crisis, as well as increasing housing costs in Vancouver, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, are all contributing to an overwhelming need.
We’re seeing people of all ages and demographics looking for community-based mental health services, and there simply aren’t enough resources to meet the need.
What more needs to be done?
Coast Mental Health is part of a network of organizations across BC advocating for more investments in mental health. Almost a million people experience a mental illness or substance use disorder in British Columbia today. While this number is daunting, our challenge in BC is not a lack of solutions, but rather the lack of investment and coordination needed to make those solutions effective.
We also need to continue developing and working on enhanced and innovative community-based mental health services. Thanks to our incredible community of donors, we’re in a position to pilot new programs and fill some of the gaps we see, and we’re excited to be able to do more of this.
How can our readers help?
You can donate to ensure we can continue to offer services that we know make a difference to people living with mental illness! Your support will also allow us to innovate and pilot new programs that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
This includes expanded brain training, cognitive rehabilitation, peer support, programs specific to young adults, therapeutic gardening programs, adventure therapy, life skills training, as well as essentials like meals, cooking skills training, basic hygiene supplies, and so much more.
Do you have any events coming up?
On May 7 th, 2025, the Courage To Come Back Awards will celebrate four British Columbians who have overcome extraordinary adversity and come back to give back.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
Greater Vancouver Food Bank
