Innovative solutions to help mentally ill are available

Re: Former Riverview residents in limbo, Aug. 15

I’m surprised Fraser Health and other health authorities are not looking at Crown land here in Coquitlam.

There are 244 remaining acres with facilities that could be utilized quickly if only there was the will.

The site of the Riverview hospital, a hospital recently closed, looked after seniors for decades. There has never been a NIMBY problem in the TriCities.

The obvious answer to the dilemma might be right under our noses.

Riverview has buildings in excellent condition and is situated in the centre of the Lower Mainland. The site is close to the freeway and buses.

Riverview has been a healing sanctuary for 100 years and should continue to be a sanctuary in perpetuity. Why are health authorities not looking at reusing Riverview? NORMA GILLESPIE Port Coquitlam

My loved one was released to his apartment from Riverview in June, after spending nine months in hospital.

He went abruptly from excellent 24/ 7 doctor and nursing care, including supervision of medication, structured activities, occupational therapy, daily meals to ... virtually nothing.

His health deteriorated almost immediately and he got worse and worse. He disappeared a few weeks ago to surface a few days later in Toronto where he is in a psychiatric ward. No one seems to know how to get him home and it is very worrying to us.

Mental health care is excellent in B. C. while people are in hospital, but followup care for some patients is insufficient to prevent relapse. Even a daily visit from a home care nurse would be better than nothing. MARILYN BAKER Richmond