I am writing to express concern for more mental health resources in the Cowichan Valley.
Too often mental health issues are not addressed properly or quickly enough and people fall through the cracks and end up on the street or in jail.
We experienced these cracks in the system when a family member was misdiagnosed and we couldn’t get any help, even though we tried very hard to do so. We had to go through such drastic efforts as to have this person’s health status addressed in court. The judge ruled the person should have an independent assessment done.
Three doctors from Victoria interviewed my family member and each one found that they were very ill and he was then hospitalized in Victoria for four months.
That was in 2009 and our family member has been under the umbrella of mental health in Victoria ever since.
He has had excellent care and we feel very lucky that he is doing so well.
I have now heard of far too many families who have had to take drastic measures to get their loved one some treatment in Victoria because of it being so inadequate in Duncan.
The government needs to address this situation and put more money into the system as families are really hurting.
Laurel Coleman
Duncan