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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.