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Province must do more to help curb rising mental health-related violence seen in BC
That’s according to BC Premier John Horgan during a media availability Thursday afternoon, when asked about the violent attack that claimed the life of 24-year-old Harmandeep Kaur over the weekend in UBC Okanagan.
After conveying his condolences to Kaur’s family, Horgan spoke about the broader issue of street violence and safety, including mental health challenges, which have been growing during the pandemic.
Horgan suggested the increase is due in part to “two years of dislocation, well-documented mental health challenges that have increased due to isolation, uncertainty, fear of COVID and other challenges in the community.”
While Kaur’s death is the fourth homicide in the last 14 months in Kelowna related to mental health issues, Horgan says the problem and challenges are not isolated within the Okanagan, but are being felt throughout the province.
“The Minister for Mental Health and Addictions is doing what she can to provide more complex care to those who, frankly, shouldn’t be in the community. They should be getting 24-hour care,” Horgan said.
This includes four complex care-housing projects in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley announced late last year, and another promised as part of last month’s provincial budget.
“These are issues that have been discussed for a number of years, and I think it’s about time we start building that complex care so that we can house people who have serious mental health issues.
Not in an incarcerated way, but in a way that they get the care they need. I think the public supports that.”
Horgan adds that he hopes recommendations expected in the coming weeks from a review of the 50-year-old Police Act will help ensure law enforcement is staffed with trained personnel to help with mental health issues.
“I’ve heard for a decade and a half that law enforcement is not equipped to be social workers on top of law enforcement,” Horgan said.
“We need to make sure they are as trained as possible … but we need to add to that and not detract from it.”
