It has been two months since children suffering from mental health issues were placed at the Waterford Hospital for treatment, yet government has not acted to provide the necessary assistance to have them placed in a more appropriate facility, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones. Jones is calling on the Child and Youth Advocate to get involved to protect the rights of these children.

In December, two adolescents were transferred to the Waterford Hospital from the Janeway for what was deemed at the time as a very temporary stay. One of those children is still at the Waterford on a ward with 25 adult patients who suffer from mental disorders.

“After speaking to a parent of one of these children, it is certainly obvious that the Waterford Hospital is the wrong environment for young people dealing with mental health issues,” said Ms. Jones. “It has already been proven that there is a lack of appropriate facilities available in the province to help mentally ill children, but the Waterford should not be used for this purpose. There are treatment facilities outside Newfoundland and Labrador that should always be utilized before the Waterford. It saddens me that children are being forced to witness some of the acts and behaviours of mentally ill adults at the Waterford Hospital.

“The Child and Youth Advocate can no longer allow this type of situation to occur. The government is trying to force children into a hospital that does not have treatment programs and therapies to assist in child psychology. Government continues to drag its feet on seriously dealing with youth mental health issues, and while these delays are occurring children continue to fall through the cracks.