Psychiatrist urges long-term mental health support in Tumbler Ridge

A McMaster psychiatry professor urged sustained, in-person mental health supports for Tumbler Ridge after a recent tragedy; police said the suspect had been previously apprehended under the Mental Health Act.

A McMaster University psychiatry professor has called for sustained, in-person mental health supports in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., following a recent tragedy. She said the mental health and well‑being impact will continue into the long term and warned against short-term visits that end abruptly. Tumbler Ridge is a northeastern community of about 2,400 people and has limited in-person mental health services at its medical centre. The RCMP said officers had attended the suspected perpetrator’s residence on multiple occasions and had previously apprehended the person under the Mental Health Act. Known details: - McMaster psychiatry professor Margaret McKinnon called for long-term, sustained, in-person mental health supports for the community. - Police reported they had attended the suspect’s residence multiple times over several years and had previously apprehended the person under the Mental Health Act. - Tumbler Ridge has roughly 2,400 residents and limited local in-person mental health care. - The province announced an expansion of Foundry Centres for youth; the nearest Foundry to Tumbler Ridge is in Prince George, about a four-hour drive. Summary: Experts say the community will likely face long-term mental health impacts and are calling for a sustained local presence of mental health providers. The RCMP has described past mental-health-related contacts with the suspect and the provincial government has announced broader youth service expansions. Undetermined at this time.