And the worst is that even after a wake-up call like this, our communities will, by and large, go on failing troubled families. Unless you are already well educated and confident in navigating the mazes of agencies and officialdom (and have plenty of spare time and money) then help with mental health and social skills issues is often difficult or impossible to find or use.

Here in BC, a mother recently had her little girl taken away for months by child welfare authorities, because the mother was seeking mental health treatment and her waiting list was that long!

Besides turning out to vote every few years, just what the **** can we citizens do to make our system work better and give families the resources they need?