As Kingston’s Providence Care prepares to shed nearly a fifth of its workforce and close beds at the former Kingston Psychiatric Hospital, there have been a number of media stories this week providing clear evidence capacity for mental health services in Canada is already woefully inadequate.
Yesterday CTV reported that Canada’s police chiefs called upon government to step up support for mental health services.
Association President Jim Chu of the Vancouver Police services said the number of people apprehended in that city under the Mental Health Act has more than quadrupled since 2002.
“We went from the agency of last resort to the mental health service agency of first resort,” Chu told CTV. “And that’s wrong. That’s failing those who are mentally ill and who deserve better care.”
OPSEU Diablogue 