Murray Dykeman, a pharmacist and North Vancouver District alderman, joined West Van- couver’s social planner Richard Wagner in telling members of the meeting that a more cooperative approach is needed to meet the North Shore’s growing mental health needs. Branch president Margot Kiss also presented awards of recogni- tion to several outgoing board members and announced the new executive. Dykeman, chairman of the North Shore Union Board of Health, warned that ‘‘the mental health outcomes of stress, lack of self-esteem, peer pressure, family breakdown, education, and eco- nomic status at both the low and the high end are clearly evident and unfortunately increasing.’’ “More responsibility, both for prevention and for care and rehabilitation, are being placed at the community level’’ as the pro- -vincial government withdraws support for the mentally handi- capped, Dykeman said, adding that municipal taxes will have to increasingly carry this load. Dykeman said emphatically that the many jurisdictions and organizations interested in mental health must ‘‘minimize territorial interests’? and form an umbrella community board ‘vith the execu- tive and financial power to deal with all the North Shore’s needs. “Poor mental health is not the solitary problem of any one indi- vidual but is dependent on the group and the environment both for its evolution and its solution,’’ Dykeman told the meeting. |. WHISTLER >) 10 - Sunday, July 9, 1989 - North Shere News GENERAL MEETING Cooperation urged to meet local mental health needs MENTALLY HANDICAPPED persons living in residen- tial-area group homes emerged as the major issue at the re- cent annual general meeting of the North and West Van- couver branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. By PATRICK RAYNARD Contributing Writer Wagner, whose background is in sociology and regional planning, said that neighbors’ fears of group homes for the mentally handi- capped are ‘‘unjustified and un- warranted’’ and that all citizens should take responsibility for. the disabled. ‘We as communities have a re- sponsibility to provide residential facilities with caring and home-like environments for people with disabilities.”’ Wagner, who has worked in West Vancouver for six years and chairs the North Shore ad hoc committee on group homes, said that ‘‘residential care facilities can be integrated into the community with little problem."’ The provincial government, Wagner said, needs to educate the LAW OFFICE SJABOUR FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION #300-233 W.1st, North Vancouver doesn’t IMPAIRED DRIVING Ardagh Hunter Barristers & Solicitors #300-1401 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver 986-4366 Free Initial Consultation Turner public on the compatibility of group homes ‘before attitudes harden.*' Kiss began the meeting by prais- ing the contributions made by out- going board members Dave Gould, Marty Lund, Geri Paterson, Joan Richards and Marg Worrall, Kiss also thanked the thrift mart volunteers Margaret Yan Diest, Angela Krouzelka and Ruby MacDonald. New board members are Mary Atkins, David Cummings, Ron Hart and Bill Work. Kiss was re- elected president. Members conti- nuing from last year are Win Miller, Helen Gray, Wilson Dillon DEEB ALESSA Fieet/Lease Manager 20 Years of Success -Before*you Buy or Lease J. get.a second opinion. freé! !.. and Michael Scholz. e Festiva © Town Car e F-Series Trucks Jo Hannay, who was named ex- e Escort 9 Mark Vii e Aerostar wr eseee Wanehee | TERE” 2Canineniat— Bnco months ago, holds a Bachelor of 3 epee anal I > Bronco It , Nursing from the University of able co pio ube vans Manitoba and a Master of Science ° Cougar * Econoline ° Used Cars in health services administration © Gr. Marquis * Ranger e Used Trucks and planning from UBC. The branch has its offices in the William &. Lucas Continuing Education Centre at 21st and Hamilton in North Vancouver. For more information call 987-6959. All Make Vehicle Leasing * 4 Satisfied ‘Customers: ..."the’ Heartsof Our Business: Cal! 986-4291 Collect “HOME OF FREE SERVICE LOANERS FOR LIFE” PLAZA (LINCOLN © MERCURY ) 1695 Marine Dr., North van. Ei G. STEIN 986-8600 peek Po " os you're retired... atte “iy prendaar: ido? BeL mean you're out of circulation! 00 same a : a a mame wl Not All North Shore News carriers are young. Some are retirees who want to stay young. A NEWS paper route is an ideal part-time job. Most routes can be completed in about an HOUR — you'll get your exercise and keep in touch with your neighbors. If you're on a fixed income, the extra money is an added bonus that just might make life a little more comfortable. Most important, you can get involved in a meaningful, worthwhile activity that can acquaint you with new friends and faces. To find out how you can join our team and get involved again, call... JOM VONEE OF NEITTH AND WEST WANCOUVER a rt h ¥. } B : Distribution 986-1337 SUNDAY + WIONESDAY + Felpay