It's a first for BC.

A new initiative designed to help teens and young people with mental health issues and substance use is coming online in Surrey.

The first program of its kind in BC "Speak Up" allows young people to share and learn from each other through peer support, targetted education in schools and new a online community.

Doctor Karen Tee with Fraser Health says the website (SpeakUp@mindcheck.ca) also provides information and resources to encourage early detection and intervention for mental health and substance use issues.

"if a young person is starting to feel like something might be going on they can go to the website and on the mind check website itself there are screening tools there and so they can check out how they might be feeling and there are screening tools for depression, anxiety, substance use and psychosis."

One in five people suffers from some form of mental health issue.