WHEREAS the lack of adequate treatment and housing for those suffering from serious or severe mental illness is a reality experienced province wide, resulting in a less efficient system, with unacceptably poor outcomes for the most needy citizens of BC, as well as severe financial and social burdens on local communities; AND WHEREAS the Riverview facilities and grounds have a proven history of providing a very suitable environment for such treatment and housing, with much of the necessary infrastructure already in place: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government immediately begin to undertake all necessary action, including funding, to reinstate Riverview as a patient-centred, wrap around care, modern centre of excellence for mental health care and support.
Ministry of Health Government is committed to providing the best supports for people facing challenges associated with mental illness and or substance use. That is why the Ministry of Health has made it a priority to build a comprehensive system of mental health and substance use services across the Province. The Province committed a total of 138 million of capital funding to building or expanding tertiary care mental health facilities in communities around BC as part of the Riverview Redevelopment Project. A total of 826 community-based tertiary care replacement beds have been developed throughout the Province of British Columbia offering former Riverview patients better living environments, closer to their home communities and regions. Current mental health research suggests that individuals living with serious and persistent mental illness respond better to care in smaller, community-based facilities rather than in large institutions. Decentralizing specialized mental health care for people with serious mental health problems brings the care and support that they need closer to their homes and into their communities. In addition to the 826 community-based tertiary care beds, new adult community based residential care beds have been developed for people with severe mental illness and concurrent substance use problems. Since 2001 the number of community mental health residential care beds has increased from 4,940 beds to 9,835 beds, an increase of 99 percent. Since 2006 the number of adult substance use community beds has increased from 880 to 2,479, an increase of 182 percent. In terms of the Riverview lands, government is now developing a heritage conservation plan for the lands. Public consultation began in May 2012 and BC Housing expects to begin broader consultation for the future land use planning in 2014. The public, local government, First Nations and other stakeholders will have a say on the future of the Riverview lands. The information in the Heritage Conservation Plan will also be considered. Any future plans for the land will recognize and respect their key featuresboth natural and built heritage. Local government, the Kwikwetlem First Nation, and other stakeholders will be informed when a timeline for consultation and associated steps are established.