Jones encourages government and Eastern Health to
move quickly on recommendations contained in youth mental health review
Over the past year, government has clearly been made
aware of the problems that exist in the youth mental health system; gaps
that have once again been identified by external consultants who believe
major improvements must be made to protect the children of this province.
Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones is encouraging both Eastern Health and the
provincial government to move quickly to implement the recommendations
provided by the consultants whose report was released earlier today.
Jones has continuously raised the issue of a lack of
youth mental health services in the province. Newfoundland and Labrador
currently has no long-term treatment facility for young people suffering
from mental health issues and both the Janeway and Waterford hospitals are
being used as temporary holding units without the appropriate
infrastructure and services. The recommendations contained in today’s
report mirrors many of the concerns raised by the Opposition and affected
young people over the past several months and advocates for more
investment that will address the many gaps that exist.
“Today’s report confirms what we have been saying
for months,” says Ms. Jones. “There are major gaps in the youth mental
health system in this province that must be addressed. While the external
review has provided many recommendations that will help address these
problems, I am disappointed that neither patients, nor their families were
contacted during this review. I believe their input could have provided
further insight into the problems and potential remedies that could result
in immediate improvements. This report could have been more detailed and
in depth, but it is still a step in the right direction and I hope
government will commit the necessary resources and investment to fix these
gaps.”
Today’s report highlights the need for immediate
improvements to the mental health system. While government has already
committed to build a long-term treatment facility, no construction has yet
started. In addition, Eastern Health did not give any firm timelines for
the recommendations of today’s report to be implemented. The consultants
also feel that an Interprofessional Collaboration Care model will result
in a positive change in culture and allow for the successful
implementation of these recommendations.
“I want to thank the consultants for their work in
further identifying the problems that exist and providing suggestions on
how to prevent more children from falling through the cracks of our
province’s mental health system. There is still much work to be done and
I encourage government to move quickly in addressing these systemic gaps.
It is not acceptable to allow our province’s young people to continue
falling through the cracks of our mental health system.”
