All eyes are on Riverview Hospital as politicians, mental health advocates and police struggle with ways to support people with mental illness, with many demanding it be re-opened.
But for 40 years, the New View Society has quietly done this work in the Tri-Cities.
Operating out of a building at 2050 Mary Hill Rd. in Port Coquitlam, New View is a lifeline for people living with mental illness, providing 51independent and group beds in apartments and homes in the Tri-Cities as well as a clubhouse that offers social, work and recreational programs.
"More young people should come here," suggests Rick Schuil, who has bipolar disorder.
The 51-year-old drywaller says he found a community at New View when he joined 30 years ago. His health is now stable and he lives independently with the support of New View and his family, but he still appreciates having New View staff and friends in his life.
"What makes New View stand out is respect," says Kay Swalwell, an early volunteer who later became one of New View's executive directors. By treating everyone with respect, New View has grown from a small band of volunteers and clients to a well-respected community agency that counts among its successes people who were once homeless.
A typical New View member is someone who is living on his own, with supports, and family nearby. He is also probably holding down a job or going to school.
No longer defined by their illness, these are people living in the community who just need some extra support.
"It does work, the supported housing, it's one of the key components, along with social, recreation and work programs," says Jill Calder, New View's executive director.
Swalwell agrees, saying: "You get a community of people who are well. That's what we need."
EARLY BEGININGS
But 40 years ago, people with mental illness weren't accepted in the community, and even when they were discharged from Riverview to a boarding house, there were few supports. It took a small band of volunteers, community nurses, therapists and psychiatrists, including New View founder Dr. Shauna Little, to figure out social programs were needed. Thus, New View was launched on a shoe-string budget.
"It was obvious they needed something to do," said Swalwell, who was one of the first volunteers to work with men and women who showed up each morning at the rundown Dalkey building provided for free by the city of Port Coquitlam.
"I'm particularly proud of New View because it was started with absolutely nothing," she adds, noting that what funds there were for activities, like knitting, and bowling, came from the 10 cents clients paid for a cup of coffee.
Gradually, attitudes changed and government agencies began to understand the importance of integrating people with mental illness in the community. New View was an early adopter of psychosocial rehabilitation, the idea that people need strong social connections, meaningful work and enjoyable pursuits to achieve their full potential.
"We work really hard so people can go to work," Calder said about New View, which offers a computer lab and job skills training, and runs three social enterprises - businesses - where members work.
There's also a newsletter and website to keep members in touch, a community kitchen, morning coffee and a rec room with TV, musical instruments and a pool table to attract younger people, who Swalwell says text each other about what's going on.
It's a vibrant community of people supporting one another, something a visitor notices immediately upon entry to the comfortable clubhouse. But despite New View's efforts, people do fall through the cracks. Some won't seek help because of the stigma attached to mental illness, some stop taking their medicine, some become estranged from family or struggle with addictions and many, police say, end up on the street or in jail.
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
For this small but growing group, more targeted help is needed, Caldwell and Swalwell say. Still, they are cautious in overstating the role of Riverview. They don't want a return to institutionalization but agree more hospital beds are needed for people with severe mental illness and they want community agencies, such as New View, to be involved in finding creative solutions.
Locking up people is not the answer, they say. "We need a community that includes everybody," Swalwell says.
Will New View get a chance to provide help for people with severe mental illness who can't currently use their programs? It's hard to know as Premier Christy Clark has said the economy has to grow before more mental health services can be developed.
But in the meantime, there is New View for those willing to work on their mental wellness, and they will be welcomed with open arms.
New View celebrated its 40th anniversary last week with the launch of a book about its history from 1973 and 2013, and a community party. For more information about New View, visit www.newviewsociety.org.
