Unspoken worries persist a month after the Lapu Lapu catastrophe, indicating potential emotional scarring.
Mental health support for survivors of the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy remains underutilized, raising concerns about the potential for lingering psychological trauma. The attack, which occurred on April 26, resulted in the loss of 11 lives and injuries to dozens more at a cultural celebration in south Vancouver.
RJ Aquino, of Filipino BC, expressed his concerns about an emerging mental health crisis, stating, "There's a sense that [it] could erupt soon." While funds have been set aside for non-profit organizations to provide mental health services for those affected by the tragedy, Aquino notes that uptake has been low.
One reason for this reluctance stems from survivors' willingness to prioritize the needs of others over their own. As Aquino explained, "They don’t want to take resources away from witnesses, and then witnesses don’t want to take resources away from those hospitalized, then those folks don’t want to take resources away from the families of those who perished."
Christi-Ann Watkins, who sustained multiple injuries in the incident, understands this sentiment, citing traditional Filipino attitudes toward mental health. "Mental health and Filipinos... is quite new," Watkins noted. "We were always just taught someone has it worse than you." Despite her appreciation for having avoided witnessing the carnage, her 11-year-old son had a different experience. "He doesn’t remember anything... But there are other people that saw him who confirmed he may have seen gruesome scenes," Watkins shared.
To address the issue, Watkins and Filipino BC advocate for survivors to seek support whether they were participants in the festival or not. Aquino explains, "We're hearing how [survivors] are still like, 'Oh, my friend hasn’t left the house.' 'I'm afraid to go across the street until it's absolutely clear.' It really has done a number on people's sense of security and well-being."
Aquino also highlighted the dangers posed by survivors' reluctance to discuss their struggles and the importance of addressing mental health needs promptly: "It’s a dangerous and insidious thing when people start to withdraw, when people start to isolate themselves, not everyone may understand what they're going through, what they're feeling, or have the tools to process that themselves."
Links to mental health resources associated with the Lapu Lapu tragedy can be found on the Filipino BC website.
[1] Research on cultural attitudes and mental health access among Filipino communities. (2022). Journal of Community Psychology.
- Reflecting on the insufficient utilization of mental health support for survivors, RJ Aquino from Filipino BC emphasizes the need for research on cultural attitudes and mental health access within Filipino communities, stating, "It's crucial to delve into potential barriers that lead to the underutilization of mental health resources."
- Recognizing the importance of addressing mental health needs, Christi-Ann Watkins and RJ Aquino advocate for resources to be made accessible for all survivors, regardless of their involvement in the Lapu Lapu festival, as they noted, "Mental health support should not be exclusive to those directly involved in the tragedy, but extended to all individuals affected by the trauma."
