ICYMI: January at Health Justice
Some notes about February:
February is Black History Month and we’ve compiled a some resources and articles to read below.
This article is older and Toronto-centric but there are still many points that are applicable for Canada as a whole. In it, McKenzie explains why Black people are at an increased risk of mental and physical problems and that a main underlying cause is anti-Black racism as it has been shown to have a significant impact on stress levels and contributes to many social inequalities. This article also discusses the need for culturally responsive supports and services and how a lack of these supports and services disproportionally impacts Black people.
You can learn more about BC’s Black history from BC Black History Awareness Society as well as this quick read.
As well, check out the work of Black Health Alliance.
February 4 to 10, 2023 is Access to Justice week in BC – a time to consider how to improve the justice system by putting its users at the centre of decisions and processes. There are many events and resources to check out while thinking about this year’s question: "Access to justice - whose job is it anyway?"
In case you missed it, Health Justice released a Legal Research and Resource Guide for Lawyers and Legal Advocates Representing Clients Impacted by Coercive Mental Health and Substance Use Health Laws during Access to Justice week 2022. The Legal Research and Resource Guide and the webinar with Courthouse Libraries that launched it are available as resources on our website to support access to justice for people whose rights are impacted by laws like the Mental Health Act and the Adult Guardianship Act.
Learn more about how BC can strengthen access to justice for people detained under the Mental Health Act and the amendments coming to the Mental Health Act to create an independent rights advice service to support people to exercise their rights.
In Case You Missed It: What we did in January
Blog Post Highlight: What does intersectional equity in mental health law look like?
Mental health laws don’t impact all people and communities in the same way. Experiences under BC’s Mental Health Act vary greatly depending on a person’s identity and how individual facility staff or physicians understand the Act and what it authorizes. This is why intersectional equity needs to be a priority in BC’s mental health law. Read the blog post to learn more about what intersectional equity in mental health law could look like and to see how other places are making it a priority.
Education Sessions Highlight: PACT
In January we held an education session for Peer Assisted Care Teams (PACT) who focus on helping community members find support during a crisis and are an alternative to police. From one of the session attendees:
“I think this session needs to be taken by anyone who is supporting someone who has been impacted by the MHA as well as anyone working in any field who may be involved in funneling people towards the use of the act.”
Continuing work on the Adult Guardianship Act
We announced back in the summer that we had begun this project. Currently we are in the process of research and engagement to understand the impacts of the Adult Guardianship Act.
To keep up with what we’re up to, check out our socials below!
ICYMI: Other News
B.C. poised for drug decriminalization experiment, but will it help stem deadly tide?
On January 31, B.C started a three-year experiment on decriminalization that allows people who use drugs to carry a combined 2.5 grams of opioids. While this is an important step towards an overall harm reduction plan that could save lives, more accessible safe supply is greatly needed.
B.C. psychological experts pushing for public mental health system
The B.C Psychological Association is pushing for the inclusion of psychologist treatment in the public health system in an effort to make mental health support more accessible. Currently many people in B.C do not access the care they need due to the cost.
Canadian Media Spreads Police PR After Killing Of Tyre Nichols
Content warning: police brutality
While this article didn’t come out in January, it does address an article that went around last month about Tyre Nichols' death and how Canadian police responded to this killing of a Black man by police in Memphis. This article contains important critiques as well as provides a more thorough look at police brutality and the many killings in Canada.