VANCOUVER – After a rash of violent assaults this week, all seemingly involving mental health issues, there are growing concerns health officials are unable or unwilling to deal with a mental health crisis in our province.
It started on Monday with a woman stabbed to death and a toddler left with life-altering wounds after a man went on a rampage in an East Vancouver apartment building.
On Tuesday a woman allegeldy assaulted a bus driver in downtown Vancouver and on Wednesday in Abbotsford a man, armed with a machete, was taken down by Abbotsford Police using non-lethal rounds.
While mental health advocates are asking for more money and more resources, the government claims that has been done.
Health Minister Terry Lake said on Wednesday there is only so much that can be done.
“We live in a society where people have the right to be out in society,” he said. “And there are always going to be instances where unpredictable behaviour occurs. Without commenting on specific cases, we know that we will never totally eliminate that.”
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