Petition gets MLA support to review psychiatric emergency services on Vancouver Island
Glen Fawkes, 61, of Campbell River, was an accomplished helicopter pilot, business owner, loving husband and father. Now he is the face of a petition calling for an independent review of psychiatric emergency services on Vancouver Island.
“Late winter, early spring of 2020 there were a lot of stressors,” says Lisa Fawkes, Glen’s widow.
Lisa got sick, a tree had fallen on the family home and COVID-19 happened. That caused Glen to experience insomnia and anxiety. That turned into paranoia, psychosis and delusions.
“Neither he or I had any experience with the mental health-care system and we quickly found that it was very difficult to navigate,” says Lisa.
Glen was admitted to the emergency room in Campbell River four times.
“He was having suicidal ideations,” says Lisa.
Last September, Glen went to stay with his sister and visit his son in Victoria.
“He was asking to go to the hospital,” says Kyle Fawkes, Glen’s son.
They took him to psychiatric emergency services (PES) at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. According to his son, Glen was confused and didn’t know where he was.
“They gave us an intake form to fill out, which had a number of questions on it about my dad’s background, his mental health, etc.,” says Kyle.
They filled out the form and had to leave Glen by himself at PES due to COVID-19. He was held for 36 hours and then released.
“We were in despair at that point once he was released,” says Lisa.
Lisa took Glen home to Campbell River. Nineteen days later, Glen took his own life.
“We know at least two people that have completed suicide since March,” says Ella Hale, a Vancouver Island mental health advocate.
In March, Ella and Emma created a Facebook page after they say they were mistreated at PES. They created the petition earlier this week along with the Fawkes family, calling for a review of the PES system.
“Having an independent review holds people accountable because that’s still what we’re looking for, accountability,” says Hale. “The government isn’t taking accountability and VIHA (the Vancouver Island Health Authority) isn’t taking accountability.”
They now have an ally in Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands.
“I continue to hear these stories,” says Olsen.
“Ella and Emma have asked that if they were to start a petition, if I would bring it into the House for them,” says Olsen. “I let them know that I absolutely would table the petition.”
Island Health tells CTV News it is “aware of the petition and recognizes people’s fundamental right to advocate for change and sign petitions.”
The health authority adds that it is “committed to an open and transparent process to achieve improvements to PES.”
CTV News asked the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions for comment on the psychiatric emergency services system but did not receive a response before deadline.
“We need to do an independent review, independent of the government and really evaluate and find out what’s going on in psychiatric emergency services on Vancouver Island, in particular,” says Kyle.
As of Wednesday morning, the petition had more than 1,450 signatures with a goal of 1,500.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in the hush money trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump, prepared to testify about a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.