North Vancouver MLA hopes people traumatized by stabbing seek help

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A day of mourning in North Vancouver today, after a stabbing left six injured and one woman dead on Saturday afternoon. @KierJunos reports on the community tribute to the victims, and the suspect who was charged.

By Nikitha Martins

Posted March 28, 2021 4:04 pm.

Last Updated March 28, 2021 6:19 pm.

NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A small mountain of flowers and other tributes are piling up on the sidewalk outside the Lynn Valley Library in North Vancouver, with yellow police tape serving as a backdrop, following a horrific knife attack that left one dead and six others hurt.

The community in Lynn Valley is laying bouquets here in front of the library. pic.twitter.com/H7xFwGA3Bu

— Kier Junos (@kierjunos) March 28, 2021

As people in the area are feeling the shock and sadness of the North Vancouver stabbing — Londsdale MLA Bowinn Ma is reminding people there are plenty of virtual mental health supports available.

“It’s normal, and it’s okay not to be okay after something like this happens in the community that you’re in,” she says.

Regardless of where you live, Ma says violence can occur and the fatal weekend incident can profoundly affect people.

“For people who have lived here for a long time, who have been able to feel safe growing up in this community — there are new feelings of being unsafe, and that can be very traumatic.”

Saturday’s attack sent six people, who sustained stab wounds of varying severity, to hospital and one woman in her late 20s died from her injures.

“Our thoughts are certainly with the families, and the victims, because this is going to be a very challenging time — not just for the families of the victims that died, but also the family members and the victims who are struggling right now to recover from this horrible incident.”

Ma says if you’re a victim of Saturday’s stabbing or a previous crime call or text VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808.

“Their call or their email will be completely confidential and VictimLinkBC staff can connect them to a network of community, social health, justice and other government resources, including victim services for different situations, transition houses, and counselling services as well,” she explains.

However, if you need any mental health support, the provincial supports include free or low-cost counselling programs.

“A lot of those supports were launched … over the last year, in order to help support people during this difficult time of the pandemic, but they’re also available to people with general mental health stresses or challenges if you’re feeling anxious if you’re feeling depressed. If this incident has you feeling distressed, I really encourage people to take a look at what’s available to them.”

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