Few people doubt that the current pandemic has created mental health challenges. It has also exacerbated pre-existing survival issues inadequately handled in BC: housing, medical care, income. But behind the pandemic threat is another threat: climate change. It’s all additive you know. The more layers, the more despair and anxiety.
The National Institute of Mental Health has documented the effects of climate change on mental health including “post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, complicated grief and survivor guilt, recovery fatigue, and suicidal ideation from climate-related extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires …Other psychological impacts may include weakened social ties, increased stress levels, substance misuse, aggression, and violence…”
Furthermore: “Attention to these factors by Canadian decision makers can support proactive and effective management of the mental health consequences of climate change.” But here in BC, said decision makers not only do not pay attention, they aggravate the existing conditions.
1) For example, when the Environment Minister doesn’t follow his first mandate letter and neglects to formulate a species-at-risk law. Then that requirement totally vanishes on his second mandate letter and BC still has no species-at-risk law.
2) When the new Forests Minister (stalling on saving old-growth as did her predecessor) is accustomed to commoditizing lifeforms and conveniently, as a livestock owner, may have a built-in hate-on for the wolves scapegoated (instead of habitat destruction) for caribou decline.
3) When the Energy Minister promotes rather than limits fossil fuels and continues a project, (shrouded in secrecy), threatening ecosystems, landowners, worker safety and ratepayers. Not to mention a “climate plan” full of lies and omissions.
4) Through it all, the spin (gaslighting) that Indigenous rights are respected while in reality, Indigenous land is stolen/ruined by extractive industry and Indigenous land title fought by the Attorney General in court.
And just for an added slap in the face, we read that the premier has completed a posh, new, government office building near his residence, ostensibly so public service workers needn’t commute. Those of us in his riding get a cute little email requesting donations for NDP in his riding. What’s next, the Palace of the Premier???
Why are we not surprised that the previous Minister of Mental Health and Addictions chose not to run for office again? Talk about a conflict of interest! The NDP government of BC actively derails mental health. And their simplistic, bingo-style, “self-care” cards won’t fix it.
