Improvements to youth mental health services must be addressed by government so young people no longer go without the appropriate treatments and services to deal with their illnesses, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones.

This past weekend, the Janeway mental health treatment ward was closed and two teenagers were transported in handcuffs to the Waterford Hospital. Since that time, family members have only been given limited access to their children during normal visiting hours.

“The stories related to the lack of youth mental health services in our province have been discussed for several weeks, yet we still have no action from government,” said Ms. Jones. “This weekend’s traumatic event did nothing to improve the emotional wellbeing of these children, and has probably set back their recovery efforts. Government must take action both in the short-term and long-term to help the youth of our province deal with these illnesses.”

Jones noted that she recently visited a youth mental health treatment facility in Ontario that has been helping suicidal and mentally ill children. She is encouraging government to bring forward short-term financial measures that will allow these young people to access these facilities and ensure the appropriate family supports are made available. In addition, she is recommending government follow through on a 2003 report that was shelved for the past five years and develop a residential treatment facility and programs that will provide long-term help to mentally ill youth within the province.

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