The Editor,
Having just read an article in the Globe and Mail, "Mother wanted schizophrenic son out of home before fatal fire, inquest told", I felt compelled to write a letter to inform my fellow Richmond citizens about the challenges many families face, while caring for loved ones with severe mental health problems right here in our city.
I have been seeking help for my family and 20-year-old son for many years.
Unfortunately, he is too sick to understand he needs treatment and consequently will not seek treatment or apply for disability as in his mind he doesn't need it. To complicate matters further, if you suffer from severe paranoia, all government agencies are suspect.
This brings me back to the case in Coquitlam, which sounded very similar to my situation. The mother in question called the police many times due to safety concerns ... ditto. In short, recommendations such as starting a program in Coquitlam in which a psychiatric nurse and police officer respond to mental health calls together were suggested. We need a similar program in Richmond. I wonder how many people know that, when you phone the emergency mental health line, you reach a machine informing you that you will get a call back within the next hour.
Even the police can't get through! I've watched them try. Another issue is Richmond Hospital is short-staffed during the holidays. I was repeatedly asked last year if it was really necessary for my son to be hospitalized when they were short-staffed.
Several phone calls later, they conceded and he was hospitalized for two weeks, then released with no follow-up for any of us; apparently he falls into every grey area. With the holiday season fast approaching, my anxiety is heightening.
Y. Vineault Richmond
