At the Ramada, previously unhoused residents find security and purpose
“If something good came out of COVID it was addressing the homeless and the opioid situations,” says the task force coordinator.
Mental Health
Across Vancouver Island, communities are struggling with how to respond to the mental health and addictions crises unfolding in the streets. The Discourse surfaces stories from community members that go deeper than the daily news. We bring clarity to complex problems and we investigate solutions. We are guided by your questions.
How people in Nanaimo are overcoming the crisis on their streets
As various levels of government struggle to respond, the community is taking action.
Sonia Furstenau addresses visible homelessness, mental health and the overdose crisis
The incumbent MLA for the Cowichan Valley and BC Green Party leader says we must look to the evidence in tackling this crisis.
Rob Douglas addresses visible homelessness, mental health and the overdose crisis
The BC NDP candidate for the Cowichan Valley says it will take everyone coming together to find solutions.
Nanaimo’s homelessness crisis is a mental health crisis, too
The homeless are not the problem, it’s the systems that serve them, say advocates as they push for better mental health supports for people in Nanaimo who are unhoused.
Lack of housing and homelessness a major concern in downtown Nanaimo
Here’s the backstory and what experts say is the way forward.
Proposed wellness centre prompts consideration to close Quamichan School campus
The school board is concerned that the wellness centre might draw more visible drug use to area.
New community mental health teams ‘open more doors’ to housing for Vancouver Island residents in need
Three of the six new ‘ACT’ teams will be based on Vancouver Island
Planned wellness centre meets resistance
Here’s what we know about the facility and the opposition to it.
Your questions about the planned wellness centre
We asked what you want to know about the overdose prevention site and treatment facility. Here’s what we heard.
