A mental health advocate lobbying to turn the Riverview Hospital grounds into an "intentional community" where people suffering from mental illness would live alongside those who do not was met with skepticism from several Coquitlam councillors.
Herschel Hardin, who is the father of a child suffering from mental illness, envisions a neighbourhood of homes and shops made up of residents with a commitment to helping the mentally ill. Patients would be integrated into the community and would benefit from the socialization that would occur, he said during a presentation to council on Monday.
The residents who are not mentally ill would be able to help "by noticing troubling symptoms or when they have other concerns by contacting mental health service providers in much the same was an involved family member would do," he stated in a report to council.
While Hardin was commended for putting forward a unique model for the Riverview Hospital grounds, most of council said they would have a hard time supporting his initiative.
Coun. Mae Reid said she would not be comfortable allowing any market housing on the land. She said opening the door to developers even a little could put the entire property at risk.
Coun. Craig Hodge said Hardin's concept was interesting but was skeptical that residents would move into the area with the intention of being part of their neighbours' mental illness treatment.
