Blooms are up. I couldn't help but to notice the Magnolia trees as I drove along Burnhamthorpe Road the other day. With new blooms always comes the reminder that there is new life. We've been busy here at FAME what with preparing for the divas event and our Taking Back Your Life presentation. There are no quiet days here at the office.
My last post was dedicated to the announcement and the invitation to be a part of the Toronto Police Services Board subcommittee on Mental Health. Well late yesterday afternoon I sat in my very first meeting. The room was full and it's members diverse. After years of sitting on committee after committee, seeing report after report, I am trying to remain buoyed that something concrete will actually be realized through this committee. There is no question in my mind that there are systemic problems for the policing community in addressing mental health issues. While I have been highly critical of in introduction of new weaponry, specifically the conductive energy weapon (more commonly know as a taser), I don't walk in the shoes of the police and so for now I will reserve my judgement and wait to see what will unfold out of this committee.
In the meantime, it's business as usual over here at FAME. One small reminder though...take a few minutes to enjoy the new spring blooms.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
An invite from the Toronto Police Services Board
I'm a girl with an opinion. Oh c'mon now, you can't possibly be remotely surprised with my disclosure of that little tidbit of information. Those who know me also know how passionately and outspoken I've been with respect to police and their dealings with the mental health community. I have been a staunch anti taser activist and have not held back one iota in my position about the use of these viscious killing weapons by police all across this country.
Did we not learn anything from the Robert Dziekanski debacle at all? The message was glaringly loud not only about abusive use of tasers by police but also about the fallout of attempts to cover up and mislead the public about what really happened in the Vancouver airport that fateful day. A cover up and behaviour exposed by this country's national police force that should have resulted in the resignation of not only the four complicit officers but also of William Elliot, the head of the RCMP. Of course that never did happen now did it. Mr. Elliot continues to remain in his post and those four officers still continue to serve.
There have been incidences here in Toronto, although none quite of the public magnitude of the Dziekanski case, but none the less, the Toronto Police Force has had its moments under the microscope. We should never ever forget what happened to Edmund Yu, a former medical student, diagnosed with schizophrenia, shot 3 times on a Toronto streetcar. These are somber reminders that there is much for our law enforcement forces to learn and understand about the issues of mental health.
Just recently the Toronto Police Services Board has reached out to the mental health community and has decided to strike a sub committee on Mental Health. I would like to applaud the current chair of the TPSB, Alok Mukherjee, for being proactive and taking steps to finally form this sub committee. I am buoyed at the thought that dealing with mental health issues in the community have finally been put on the table at this level. FAME has been invited by the TPSB to participate and be a member of the sub committee and I have jumped at the chance to bring the family perspective to the table.
I am being careful not to come forward with criticism and anger towards the police because I really believe it'll only shut doors. Rather I'm taking the tact to be positive and open, to speak reasonably and to listen. I'm of the mind that you catch more bees with honey. It is important to effectively deliver our messages, our concerns and our input and do it in a way that will have it be received with an open mind and a view to improving the relationship between the police and the community of mental health.
This committee will begin to meet in late winter/early spring. I will keep you all up to date with how this unfolds and what it will mean to our community.
For now, it's a new year. New optimism. New hope.
Respectfully,
Christine
Did we not learn anything from the Robert Dziekanski debacle at all? The message was glaringly loud not only about abusive use of tasers by police but also about the fallout of attempts to cover up and mislead the public about what really happened in the Vancouver airport that fateful day. A cover up and behaviour exposed by this country's national police force that should have resulted in the resignation of not only the four complicit officers but also of William Elliot, the head of the RCMP. Of course that never did happen now did it. Mr. Elliot continues to remain in his post and those four officers still continue to serve.
There have been incidences here in Toronto, although none quite of the public magnitude of the Dziekanski case, but none the less, the Toronto Police Force has had its moments under the microscope. We should never ever forget what happened to Edmund Yu, a former medical student, diagnosed with schizophrenia, shot 3 times on a Toronto streetcar. These are somber reminders that there is much for our law enforcement forces to learn and understand about the issues of mental health.
Just recently the Toronto Police Services Board has reached out to the mental health community and has decided to strike a sub committee on Mental Health. I would like to applaud the current chair of the TPSB, Alok Mukherjee, for being proactive and taking steps to finally form this sub committee. I am buoyed at the thought that dealing with mental health issues in the community have finally been put on the table at this level. FAME has been invited by the TPSB to participate and be a member of the sub committee and I have jumped at the chance to bring the family perspective to the table.
I am being careful not to come forward with criticism and anger towards the police because I really believe it'll only shut doors. Rather I'm taking the tact to be positive and open, to speak reasonably and to listen. I'm of the mind that you catch more bees with honey. It is important to effectively deliver our messages, our concerns and our input and do it in a way that will have it be received with an open mind and a view to improving the relationship between the police and the community of mental health.
This committee will begin to meet in late winter/early spring. I will keep you all up to date with how this unfolds and what it will mean to our community.
For now, it's a new year. New optimism. New hope.
Respectfully,
Christine
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