This plant in my home is from the Carlile Centre (note the spelling mistake!). It has grown and is thriving - symbolic of all the amazing work and coming together of the community to #keephopealive
Reasons Why People are Signing the Petition
It's so touching to read all the reasons why people have signed the petition - thank you for sharing, for your insights, thoughts and stories. I've tried to reply individually to everyone. Apologies if anyone has been missed Click on the button "see all reasons for signing" and have a read yourself.
In the News
This week our petition was featured in the Richmond and North Shore News.
You can read the article here.
What's Next
We don't have much time as the center is due for closure on March 15 - that's when the last patients leave and construction starts.
So we need help with the following 3 things if you can:-
- Please continue to share the petition - if anyone has a presence on X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) please share / tweet (I never know what to call it these days)
- Write to Adrian Dix - see below an example letter to copy and paste
- Write to your MLA to ask them to raise the closure and ask questions in the Legislative Assembly this week. This maybe particularly effective if anyone has an opposition MLA : Kevin Falcon, Michael Lee, Karin Kirkpatrike, Jordan Sturdy, Teresa Wat, Shirley Bond, Adam Walker. You can find your MLA by constituency here.
Thank you once again, and you can reach out to me at ruthiebkelly@hotmail.com
Template Letter to copy and paste to Adrian Dix
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL LETTERS TO MLAs AND GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES ARE CONFIDENTIAL.
You can email to: HLTH.Minister@gov.bc.ca
Dear Minister Dix:
As a concerned BC voter, I strongly request that the Ministry of Health require Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) to continue Carlile operations for adolescents who struggle with mental health and substance use disorders.
VCH has not adequately demonstrated that a transition to an acute young adult unit has a higher need than adolescent care. As well, VCH has not offered adequate, feasible solutions for other youth mental health supports. Alternatives they may suggest are inaccessible or unavailable. The closure of Carlile as an adolescent unit will create an enormous gap for our young people, and early intervention would mitigate adult psychiatric stays.
My vote on or before October 19, 2024 will be for a government who chooses to uphold the mental health and substance use challenges of our young people.
NAME
CONSTITUENCY (or address)