The leader of New Brunswick’s Green Party says much more needs to be done to support mental health programs for young people in the province.
David Coon hosted a public forum on the issue Saturday with hopes of identifying services for those suffering from mental illness.
"Youth mental health is a huge issue,” said Coon. “We have a very poor mental health care system, (it’s) under resourced. Access to mental health care is very challenging at times.”
The day started with one in every five people standing up, acting as a visual representation of all the people who are affected by mental illness.
"Mental health is a huge issue in New Brunswick,” said mental health advocate Lee Thomas. “More and more we're seeing, especially in youth, a lot of coming forward and realizing they need help and trying to access services."
Youth from middle schools and high schools, as well as university students gathered with those working in the mental health field in Fredericton to talk about what is offered and where people can find help.
"I think that it can be really intimidating, mental health,” said attendee Katerine Ask. “The biggest thing to me is the stigma that still really exists in a serious way, and so youth are shy and uncomfortable in reaching out to possible resources.
Coon says three per cent of the province’s health care budget goes to mental health care – a number young people say needs to change.
"I think the resources out there do a really good job, but they're overworked and overloaded, and there's so many people who need to access resources,” said one attendee. “Wait lists are a huge issue and it can be really difficult when you finally overcome all the stigma.”
The discussion also focused on how those working in the mental health field can reach out to those in need.
"Part of the reason why there was so much enthusiastic support for this by the mental health community (is) because they know this is really important,” said Taeyon Kim, Green Party Constituency Office co-ordinator. “They are always trying to reach out and make themselves available to young people and it can be challenge sometimes."
Attendees and organizers say they hope these conversations will begin to bridge the gap between mental health services and those who need them the most.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ashley Blackford.
