“I’m deeply concerned for the people impacted.”
That’s from Elaine Laberge from the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Northern BC branch in Prince George in relation to the tragedy that occurred in Tumbler Ridge earlier this week.
Laberge told Vista Radio it’s vital the entire community seeks out mental health supports as soon as possible, especially the community’s youth.
“Young folks don’t have the capacity like adults to try and do sense-making but even adults will be struggling with sense-making. What is really imperative is that a few things happen – one is that all folks that have been impacted, which would be the entire community seek out mental health supports immediately.”
“Trauma comes back to haunt us when we don’t address and real deal with the narratives that are going to be impacting mental health as well.”
She mentioned peer support programs as well as a sustainable funding model from the provincial and federal governments are needed to better serve people in rural areas.
“We know the research is really clear that trauma revibrates across generations when its not addressed although its really critical. Youth today face situations that I don’t have to deal in my day with the social media and the ugliness that goes on with social media spreading misinformation and damaging narratives.”
“One of the things that we are doing is really campaigning for the provincial and federal government to give us proper and sustainable funding because we are not in all of the rural and northern communities We can’t just have a therapist swoop in and host a couple sessions and then swoop out. It’s like tearing the band-aid off but not cleaning that wound.”
“It is absolutely essential in our northern communities that we have this permanent care. Northern people are resourceful and resilient but that is not enough,” added Laberge.
Laberge reference a peer-support program in Quesnel that could useful for the South Peace during this time of mourning.
“We need peer support programs in our rural and remote communities. We need therapists, we need people there full-time. We received some funding to start the expansion of peer-support programming in Quesnel, which is in a horrible situation with an economic downturn. We have a therapist there. So, how can we take that model and move to other rural and remote areas without funding?”
“Social isolation is a really dangerous thing for our mental health. We have too much social isolation going on as we speak. One of the things folks in Tumbler Ridge has is community and it is a smaller community, which of course, what has happened, which shake the foundation but they have community and that will be key for them to come together long-term.”
“We aren’t meant to hold these things alone.”
Riley Skinner from the Crisis Centre of Northern BC who says they have seen an uptick in calls since the Tumbler Ridge shootings.
Skinner believes while people are struggling to process what has transpired, the community will rally around each other.
“A community like Tumbler Ridge is a tight-knit community and oftentimes they hold resilience into themselves and they learn to rely on each other like a neighbour or a friend or family member.”
“We often see when tragedy strikes and it’s time for the community to come together is likely what is happening in Tumbler Ridge and is certainly what is happening in Northern BC and across the province.”
The Prince George Palliative Care Society is also expecting a spiked call volume over the next few days.
Executive Director, Donna Flood stated it’s key for parents to be as present as possible with their children and to monitor what they are seeing on the internet, especially social media.
“Try not them alone with their devices. There is a lot of negative stuff out there and confusion. When children fill in the gaps and find their own ideas for what has happened we need to stay with them when they are on social media. Don’t let them be alone in their rooms watching and listening to things they don’t understand.”
Over the next several days, the Palliative Care Society has launched a virtual grief support for people from Tumbler Ridge and beyond.
The virtual sessions runs at 2pm and is on the Microsoft Teams platform. More information is on the society’s web site.
According to Northern Health, from today (February 13) through March 6th, the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre will be open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm seven days per week (including statutory holidays).
Each day, drop-in appointments with mental health clinicians will continue to be available for anyone seeking support, and nurse practitioners with physician supports will be available during these extended hours for primary and urgent care needs.
The health centre’s laboratory and X-ray department will also operate 7 am to 11 pm providing diagnostic support.
The hours for Emergency Department services remain from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays, and residents should continue to call 9-1-1 to access emergency health care and transport to the most appropriate facility for their needs.
If you are struggling, please know support is available.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing pgnews@vistaradio.ca.
- Mental health supports and resources are also available through a variety of options:
- BC’s Mental Health Line at 310‑6789
- 9‑8‑8 Suicide Crisis Helpline (call or text)
- Bereavement and Grief Support Line 1-877-779-2223
- Kid’s Help Phone, available by texting CONNECT to 686868
- KUU‑US Crisis Response Service at 1‑800‑588‑8717 for culturally aware support for Indigenous peoples
- Northern Health virtual and community mental health services 1-844-645-7811
