A Saanich woman hopes to encourage government to close the gaps in mental health-care with a symbolic initiative.

Jean Oliver is organizing a human chain, which she hopes will run from the Royal Jubilee Hospital, down Fort Street and all the way to the B.C. legislature to bring to light missing elements in suicide prevention.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a problem thatB次元官网网址檚 been a bit under the radar,B次元官网网址� Oliver said. B次元官网网址淭he human chain, I thought, would be a way for people who are shy or ashamed to talk about their experiences to not feel so alone and to come forward.B次元官网网址�

Oliver hopes to see the federal government step up and provide a national strategy for suicide prevention. She also believes psychotherapy should be covered by pharmacare.

In addition, in Greater Victoria, there is no clear destination for 17-year-olds to receive emergency psychiatric care. Victoria General Hospital provides such care for teens age 16 and younger and the Royal JubileeB次元官网网址檚 Eric Martin Pavillion prefers to treat adults only.

For the human chain event, which happens Sept. 10, Oliver hopes to amass 1,200 volunteers B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址渢hatB次元官网网址檚 one person every five feetB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� to hold hands along the stretch. So far, 200 people have registered.

If the line isnB次元官网网址檛 complete, the group will walk to the legislature from RJH.

Participants are asked to meet at RJH, next to Fort Street, at 10:30 a.m. wearing a plain shirt of any colour.

There will be a petition signing and ceremony of commemoration for those who have died as a result of suicide, at the B.C. legislature from noon to 12:30. Victoria MP Denise Savoie will speak at the ceremony.

For more information or to sign up, email bcdots@gmail.com or visit dotsbc.com.