Creating Safe Spaces for Youth Mental Health
Transforming mental health support in Richmond, BC to ensure every young person finds hope, safety, and care when they need it most.
About Box Around Your Heart
Box Around Your Heart is dedicated to reimagining the mental health landscape for youth and their families by creating safe, supportive experiences across all levels of care in our community. Rooted in lived experiences, our mission is to break down attitudinal barriers and ensure that every young person facing a mental health crisis and their loved ones receive compassionate, comprehensive support.
The Inspiration Behind the Name
Inspired by a heartfelt video from a special youth we know and love, the name Box Around Your Heart symbolizes our mission to provide a safe space where youth and their families can heal a broken heart.
Watch the Video
The Need
This year in Canada, approximately 1 in 5 children and teens have experienced a mental health condition such as anxiety, stress, or depression, with minority communities facing even higher risks. Healthy emotional and social development in our early years lays the foundation for lifelong mental health resilience.
A Growing Crisis
Youth in Richmond, BC and throughout Canada are enduring unprecedented rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Systemic Issues
Long wait times and shortages of mental health professionals, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted critical gaps in our support systems.
The Need for Change
There is a critical need for continued investment in mental health resources and support systems for our community’s children and their families.
Creating Change in Youth Mental Health
We are thrilled that funds are now fully secured for the new mental health zone in the Richmond Hospital Emergency Department set to open in August 2025.
Foundry Richmond
Your contributions will now go beyond the hospital doors to support Foundry Richmond. Foundry Richmond is a trusted space where youth ages 12-24 can access mental health care, free counselling, substance use support, and social services — all tailored to meet the unique needs of young people in our community.
With your support, Foundry Richmond’s walk in counselling program will continue for another two years to address the critical growing demand for accessible, short-term mental health counselling.
Help Transform Youth Mental Health
This year, Box Around Your Heart is aiming to raise $100,000 from all our events and initiatives. Having helped secure all the funds for a new mental health assessment zone in the Richmond Hospital Emergency Department, our support is now directed to Foundry Richmond.
Upcoming Events
Please check back soon for upcoming events.
Resources & Support
Whether you’re a parent, educator, mental health care professional, or advocate, find valuable tools and information below to help support youth mental health.
In Times of Crisis
Education & Awareness
- Stigma-Free Mental Health Society Learn More About Stigma-Free Mental Health Society
- Kelty Mental Health Learn More About Kelty Mental Health
- The Encountering Podcast with Dr. Suzanne Simpson Learn More About The Encountering Podcast with Dr. Suzanne Simpson
- Youth Mental Health Canada Learn More About Youth Mental Health Canada
- Anxiety Canada Learn More About Anxiety Canada
More Youth Mental Health Resources and Support
View our resource library for even more great resources.
Meet Our Founder
Ruth Kelly is a dedicated Richmond BC immigrant, business owner and passionate advocate for youth mental health and substance abuse. Her lived experience journey began with the challenges of supporting her own child through anxiety, an experience that opened her eyes to the fragmented and often overwhelming mental health system. Determined to make a difference, Ruth now works tirelessly to ensure that other parents know they are not alone, that hope exists, and that their voices can create meaningful change.
Ruth is a valued member of the Patient and Family Advisory Committee for Healthy Minds at BC Children’s Hospital, where she helps shape better mental health services for young people. Ruth’s commitment to improving the mental health landscape and reducing stigma, is a testament to the power of lived experience and the difference one person can make.