Prince George, BC – In the wake of last weekend's post-prom tragedy that saw two young people perish when a vehicle sank in Kwitzil Lake, efforts are being made to ensure high school grads and other youth get the support they need at this time…

17-year-old Kendall Moore, a student at DP Todd, and 19-year-old Craig Wood died when the vehicle they were in, went into the lake early last Sunday morning.  Both the Prince George RCMP's Serious Crimes Unit and the BC Coroner's Service continue to investigate.

After receiving information that another unsanctioned graduation party was set to take place at the lake tonight, RCMP announced on Thursday they would be closing public access to the site this weekend.  Concerned that a combination of high emotions and alcohol could lead to further incidents, Inspector Brad Anderson said, "We believe we must take this action in order to prevent further harm and protect these youth."

School District 57 had counsellors on-hand at all high schools in the city to offer support, as classes resumed on Tuesday.  And there are a host of services available to those feeling they may need some extra support at this time.

Northern Health's Manager for Youth Services and Eating Disorders, Mary Morrison, says for youth and others who feel their grief might be beyond what they can cope with, their family doctor is always a good starting point.  There is also the 24-hour Crisis Line at 250-563-1214 and a dedicated Youth Support Line at 564-8336.

Another really good option, says Morrison, is to contact Northern Health's Community Response Unit.  The CRU is the centralized intake unit for all of Northern Health's mental health and addiction services.  "A primary care physician is a really good place (to start), but the CRU staff can really hear – they can talk to somebody and get a really good sense of what might be going on for them, and help them to navigate where the best place to get some service might be."  Anybody can call CRU at 1-866-565-2966.

Morrison explains that in BC, out-patient mental health services for children and youth are offered through the Ministry of Children and Family Development, while in-patient and substance abuse services are offered through the health authorities.  Locally, Morrison says both Intersect Youth and Family Services (250-562-6639) and the Prince George Native Friendship Centre (250-564-3568) offer more general counselling around grief and loss, or mental health issues.  While Northern Health offers a number of in-patient programs and some out-patient counselling programs for youth struggling with mental health and/or substance use problems.  For more information, youth or their guardians can call NH's Youth Regional Program Liaison at 250-649-7065.

"If someone was acutely suicidal or in some sort of acute mental health crisis as a result of this (tragedy), or otherwise," Morrison urges, "They can access us through the Emergency Department (at the University Hospital of Northern BC) if they're in crisis."

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A listing of the phone numbers:

24-Hr Crisis Line   250-563-1214

Youth Support Line   250-564-8336

Northern Health's Community Response Unit   1-866-565-2966

Northern Health's Youth Regional Program Liaison   250-649-7065

Intersect Youth and Family Services Society   250-562-6639

Prince George Native Friendship Centre   250-564-3568