Honouring Grief, Rejecting Stigma, and Calling for Systemic Change 

The tragic events of April 26 have left a deep wound in the Filipino community and across the province.

At CMHA North and West Vancouver, we continue to hold space for the victims, their families, and everyone impacted with compassion, respect, and care. 

As a mental health organization here on the North Shore, we understand that Trauma affects not only individuals but entire communities. Healing begins when we show up with empathy, integrity, and accountability — not assumptions or blame.  

Grief comes in waves and must be met with compassion — not urgency or judgement. Everyone’s experience is unique: some feel it all at once, others in quiet moments. Healing is not linear. It will take time. What matters most is how we respond: with presence, humility, and deep respect for those affected. 

Accountability does not begin or end with individuals — it lives within systems designed to prevent harm and provide collaborative care. When those systems fail, the consequences are collective. 
While it may be tempting to point to a single cause in the wake of this tragedy, we must resist the urge to attribute it solely to mental illness. There are no singular explanations for such devastating events — framing it this way oversimplifies the reality and risks reinforcing harmful stigma, while distracting from the deeper systemic issues at play. 

Mental illness has quickly become a focal point — and in some cases, a target for blame. But most people living with mental illness are not violent. Violence is far more often the result of unmet needs, gaps in care, and failures in coordination across health, crisis, and justice systems. This is not just a mental health or public safety concern — it’s a breakdown across the entire continuum, from early intervention to crisis response. When systems break down, people fall through the cracks — with devastating consequences. 

If we care about safety, we must invest in compassionate, community-led care, and strengthen coordination between police, health services, and social supports. Reactive policies and blame won’t lead to real and lasting change — collaboration will.

Long-term wellness and safety will only come from coordinated, evidence-based care that supports people before, during, and after a crisis. This moment calls not for blame but for bold, systemic solutions. 

CMHA NWV Resources and Support

At CMHA North and West Vancouver, we continue to stand beside those who are grieving. We are here to meet people where they are, grounded in our belief that mental health is a universal human right, and no one should fall through the cracks.

We are offering free counselling for individuals (19+) affected by this tragedy.

Please contact Blair, our Counselling Program Manager, at blair.hackman@cmhanorthshore.ca for more details. 

We also provide a peer-informed crisis response team, Community-Led Crisis Response (CRCL) which offers safe, compassionate support during mental health emergencies. Our other services include: Outreach, Steps Youth, Social Support Groups & Peer Navigation and Supportive Housing. 

We stand with the Filipino community. We grieve with you. We are here for you. And we remain committed to a future built on accountability, dignity, and care.

Here to serve across the North Shore,
CMHA North and West Vancouver Branch