Man Sets Himself On Fire

Near Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC

The man has now died.  On Thursday Dec. 10, 2009, a 23 year old man poured gasoline on himself and set himself on fire. 

Had this man sought mental health treatment, only to be turned away?

A few years ago a caller to a radio program said he went to Royal Jubilee hospital to seek mental health help, only to be escorted off the hospital grounds by security staff.

So what happens to people who are so desperate, who are refused help?  Do they do unthinkable acts like setting themselves on fire?

It was only a  few years ago that this same hospital released a man who police had taken to ER for a mental health assessment.  The man hours later set fire to someones residence!

Pacific South Western Advocates wants to see the Federal Government do audits on hospitals who detain citizens under Provincial Mental Health Acts to find out who they are detaining and why.

PSWA Canada would also like to see the feds to keep track of how many people caused harm to themselves or others after being released.

Canada's mental health system needs more watchdogs to ensure that every person who is at risk of harming themselves or others gets the help they need.  Canada must ensure that hospitals are not cherry picking their patients?