We need to rethink mental-health care

Re: “Son’s attack shows gaps in mentalhealth care,” comment, Jan. 14. I was shocked to read the mother’s account of her son’s attack that showed gaps in the mental-health system. The psychiatric system allowed his poor treatment, thus causing this tragedy.

Seeking solutions is a top priority. We must be careful of knee-jerk solutions such as locking people in institutions.

In B.C., 11,000 citizens are detained per year under the Mental Health Act. Each one still has rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Keep in mind that most people with mental-health issues are more likely to be victims of crime than the perpetrators.

There are caring, dignity-saving, effective solutions. I know because I was a master’s-prepared nurse who has read the literature and witnessed sloppy care when I worked in mental health. I know because I was a long-term psychiatric patient who fully recovered.

B.C. must: • Rethink mental-health care, and during the process involve those with lived experience in a meaningful way. • Reinstate the office of the mental-health advocate. • Support an independent voice for those of us with lived experience. • Rewrite the Mental Health Act to ensure human rights, fair processes and accountability.

When we offer compassionate mentalhealth care that helps patients live as equals in our communities with fulfilled and engaged lives, everyone benefits. E. Daisy Anderson Duncan