Editor:
After reading about the B.C. government’s latest report on regulating health professionals, I am frustrated beyond belief and disgusted that there is still no serious consideration being given to the urgent necessity of providing a safety net for mental health consumers in B.C. I’ve been writing letters to every government agency I know of, to politicians, organizations, and newspapers for over 17 years. I have a website up to help professionals see in plain English exactly what can happen behind closed doors.
My life was devastated years ago by the actions of an unregistered therapist whom I saw in “good faith,” as folks tend to do when they are vulnerable, desperate, and trusting that a system is in place to protect them from the outrageous harm so easy to inflict otherwise. It’s a miracle I survived; I look back on my experiences with horror. I still endure PTSD symptoms common after traumatic experiences, but was able to avoid suicide and to stumble forward, though with extreme loss of trust and continued struggles with self-esteem, faith, and hope. I hosted a town hall meeting at Gibsons Public Art Gallery on this issue, and have kept a steadfast focus on doing all I can do to ensure that this never happens to another person if I can prevent it.
What is there not to understand about this? A client, seeking help for medical issues, whether they be physical or psychological, deserves the basic security and protection of knowing that whoever is treating them can be held accountable if they do harm, and is expected and required to have basic credentials, ongoing supervision, and a regulatory body to ensure this. I read yet again that this issue “will be resolved soon.” I have letters from government officials going back 17 years assuring me of this! Let’s get this regulation brought in once and for all, before someone despairs and ends their life thanks to this gaping hole in the safety net of our health-care system.
Janice Williams, Gibsons
