White Rock MLA echos call for further mental health support
Peace Arch NewsJan 23, 2021
Surrey-White Rock MLA
Earlier this week, B.C.'s representative for children and youth,
She said over the past decade, the number of children held under the Mental Health Act has increased 162 per cent, calling into question the system of care and treatment. Involuntary youth detentions can re-traumatize already traumatized youth, she said.
Charlesworth is calling on the government to amend the Mental Health Act to allow youth to have access to a legal advocate while they're in care.
Halford, who is the BC Liberal opposition critic for mental health and addictions, is adding his support to the recommendation, but he also went a step further, calling on the government to increase funding to the ministry.
He says as it stands right now, the premier's office has a bigger budget than that allocated to mental health and addictions.
"That, to me, doesn't make a lot of sense … especially in the wake of a pandemic, especially in the wake of an opioid epidemic," Halford said.
In a letter addressed to BC Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
The wait times, he said, can be up to two months or longer before a youth begins to receive the support they require.
"And when you're dealing with mental illness and addictions, you can't wait for support. The support needs to be in real time. But I think that the system is so stretched right now."
The wait time led to a tragic ending earlier this month on
By then, it was too late.
On the evening of
"It's heartbreaking," said
"No child should ever feel as destitute as Andre was that day, believing that there was nothing left. Depression took over his life. This lack of support cannot happen to any more kids."
- files from Black Press Media