The Value of Coordinated Care

Photograph by Times Colonist

Marcus Beg lives in a shed on the deck of his daughter’s grandmother, Marguerite MacDougall. Beg has undiagnosed mental health issues. His erratic and sometimes threatening behaviour has landed him in jail where he is often in solitary confinement as his behaviour upsets other inmates.

According to Katie DeRosa, Beg’s life has been a cycle of mental illness, addiction and prison. Several times, when Beg’s behaviour is of control the police are called. Beg’s life is a cautionary tale of what happens to people in our society who are unable to access mental health care in our province. The lack of care for people like Beg means that other agencies and ministries have to step in to fill the void. In this case – it’s the police, courts and the correctional system taking the place of proper health care.

Board Voice believes that a social policy framework could go along way to putting services in place to help people meet their potential. In a coordinate social care system, Beg would have access to medical care, supportive housing and medication/therapy. There would be a coordinated response that took care of people rather than incarcerating them.

http://www.timescolonist.com/life/islander/man-living-in-shed-highlights-revolving-door-of-criminal-justice-1.20103623

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