Chief Constable Jim Chu
Comments
“This morning’s announcement made by the Provincial Government is a positive step forward in addressing an increased need for additional resources and improved treatment for persons in the community suffering from severe mental illness.
The promise from the government to establish an Assertive Outreach Team, reconfiguring services at St. Paul’s emergency department to better meet the needs of individuals in mental health and/or addictions crisis, and creating two additional Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, are positive steps in the right direction. It is encouraging to see that the province intends to increase long-term treatment beds and offer stronger support for tenants with psychiatric issues.
The concerns surrounding addiction and mental health are very complex and there is much more work to be done in addressing the issue of mental health treatment in our communities. We will continue to work closely with our partners in government, health services and the community to improve the quality of life for those suffering from severe and untreated mental illness, and in doing so, reverse the trend of violence that at times is committed by, and against, the mentally ill.”
