Mayor and police chief say crisis growing for untreated mentally ill people

VANCOUVER – Vancouver’s mayor and police chief say more resources are urgently needed to address a growing crisis involving people with untreated mental illness.

Chief Jim Chu says police are becoming the first point of contact for severely mentally ill people who should be getting support and medical treatment.

Mayor Gregor Robertson says city resources are being used by police to deal with the mentally ill, but the current situation is creating nothing but carnage for people who desperately need health care.

The mayor and chief have suggested a five-point plan to address the situation, including adding 300 long-term mental health treatment beds and more BC Housing facilities staff to help the mentally ill.

Robertson says police can’t be the first point of contact for the mentally ill, and the provincial government needs to step up and take responsibility for providing resources.

Chu says 21 per cent of all Vancouver police calls involve a person with an apparent mental disorder.