Mental health advocates want to know what B.C.’s political parties are going to do to address mental well-being ahead of the Oct. 19 provincial election.
For Jack Middleton, president of the BC Schizophrenia Society, the situation is one of providing support, reducing stigma and, ultimately, helping vulnerable people while maintaining public safety.
But, he said, people with mental health issues frequently wind up in the criminal justice system where they're generally subjected to violence.
“The criminalization of mental health serves no one,” Middleton said. “If they are untreated and getting into trouble, it doesn’t serve them and it doesn’t serve the public.”
Middleton said issues such as housing costs, an overloaded health-care system, crime, the economy, drug use and poverty are frequently part of parties' platforms.
He wants to know what each of B.C.’s political parties is doing to address mental health issues before someone ends up in the justice system.
Middleton said more than 90,000 British Columbians live with schizophrenia while a further 150,000 live with psychotic disorders. He told Glacier Media the conditions can be frightening for those with the disorders as well as for their families.
But the conditions, while not curable, can be treated, he said, allowing people to live productive, fulfilling lives.
“You likely know someone with a mental illness or someone who has a person with mental illness in their family,” Middleton said. “This can be frightening because mental illness causes serious and severe changes to the lives of everyone involved. Mental illnesses like schizophrenia are not curable but they are treatable.”
He said the society advocates for greater family involvement when schizophrenia first becomes apparent as a possible diagnosis for someone as well as treatment.
Middleton noted his organization, the BC Psychiatric Association and Pathways Serious Mental Illness Society have put forward three proposals to each of B.C.’s parties.
The groups would like to see parties commit to:
• treatment that includes medication that could include involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act while being mindful of the respect and dignity of patients;
• care that is available, accessible, and affordable everywhere in B.C. with early treatment, available and staffed beds, and ongoing support after discharge; and,
• treatment including collaborative engagement with patients and their families which has been shown to improve outcomes.
“We’ve reached out to all the parties on this,” Middleton said.
Conservative Party of BC
Conservative Party of BC candidate Elenore Sturko, the sitting MLA for Surrey South, formerly with BC United (formerly the BC Liberal Party), said all three of the issues the society wants commitments on are priorities for her party.
She stressed family involvement can be critical in the continuum of care.
“We need to do more to make them part of the care team,” she said, adding that involvement must be subject to checks and balances to ensure the patient remains first.
Sturko said more resources are needed for the medical system when addressing mental illness. Part of that, she said, is getting ahead of people’s worsening mental illnesses before they become crisis situations.
“We can do more, especially helping families who are dealing with a loved one with mental health issues,” she said.
Sturko said the Mental Health Act already allows for people to be treated involuntarily in specific circumstances.
“Sometimes people have very serious mental illnesses that don’t realize they’re ill,” the former RCMP member said. “There are some circumstances where it may be required. We continue to support that.”
BC United Party
In a letter to Middleton shared with Glacier Media, BC United Leader Kevin Falcon said the party is dedicated to ensuring policies are put in place to make mental health care available and affordable everywhere in British Columbia.
“This means community services must be well-supported and include access to psychiatrists who can provide early and continuing care,” he said. “Additionally, community facilities and hospitals need to have sufficient beds and staff to meet the needs of those requiring more intensive treatment.”
Falcon said continuity of care after discharge is equally important, and that supportive housing, rehabilitation and comprehensive community support are needed for ongoing care.
He said the party believes in collaborative engagement with patients and their loved ones.
“Family involvement plays a crucial role in the care and recovery of individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Even in situations where a patient may refuse family involvement, we value the input of family members, who often have vital insights and concerns that should be shared with health professionals.”
Falcon said, as part of strengthening family involvement, the party introduced the Mental Health Amendment Act, 2024, as a private member’s bill on April 9, 2024. The bill was sponsored by Sturko, then BC United’s critic for mental health, addictions and recovery.
Both Falcon and Sturko said the bill, if passed, would require physicians and nurse practitioners to consult with a close relative when considering certifying an individual under the Mental Health Act.
It would also mandate that families be informed before their family member is discharged from a designated facility and if a patient withdraws consent for information sharing.
“With regards to involuntary care, BC United supports the use of compassionate involuntary treatment as a last resort to protect individuals who may be a danger to themselves or others,” Falcon said. “However, it is essential that such measures are applied judiciously, with strict safeguards to ensure that the patient’s dignity and well-being are always prioritized.”
The Greens and NDP
The Green Party of BC said it is working on its mental health platform for release in September.
The NDP did not respond to requests for comment.
