Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
The chair of the South Okanagan Situation Table says if they don’t receive any referrals for help, then that’s a “good thing.”
Last week Rob Zandee told the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee that the Table is really a last step for people, noting you don’t really want to see anything get that far.
He said the committee hasn’t had any official referrals yet.
He explained that the Table is a multi-organizational approach to help vulnerable individuals at elevated risk.
Zandee said agencies tend to exist in “silos,” working on their own without sharing information. But the Table breaks that mould by bringing them together and pooling their resources to help people in crisis.
Zandee noted that the mental health function in the South Okanagan is a little challenging because there appears to be a time lag in the referral process. But he’s hoping the Table can figure out a way to make referrals to Interior Health easier.
Jill Pascoe from Interior Health acknowledged that access to mental health is a struggle, which is something they are working on. She indicated that staff turnover and recruitment into smaller communities is a challenge, and one barrier to that is affordable housing. Committee member Martin Johansen said he likes the positive step the Table is making to break down these silos. He asked if different Tables in the region share information with each other. Zandee said they do, noting they are in contact with the Penticton group.
Oliver RCMP Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth said one case was brought forward involving an individual who has been in and out of incarceration while dealing with a prescription drug problem.
The officer said there has been no need for police contact with this individual in 30 days, noting that services and outreach have been provided to the family.
Wrigglesworth said this has taken the workload off police, but more importantly, the individual is getting help, which is a “success story” still being written.
