Interim report demands more crisis training, education and treatment, following suicide of Fredericton teen
The child and youth advocate office in New Brunswick has released an interim report that looks into youth mental health services in the province following the suicide of Fredericton teen Lexi Daken.
The 16-year-old tried to see a psychiatrist at the Everett Chalmers emergency room in Fredericton on Feb. 18, according to her family.
She never saw one, despite waiting for over eight hours. Daken died by suicide six days later.
Her story has sparked calls for the New Brunswick government to transform the mental health care system, specifically the youth system.
The province’s health minister, Dorothy Shephard, asked the advocate to take on a review of mental health services in the province, and a midway report was released Thursday.
The report includes 10 recommendations, some of which include:
- immediately implement ongoing training and professional development programs to ensure that all emergency room staff are equipped to provide competent and compassionate care to youth who present with suicidal ideation or following suicide attempts
- a provincial fund and strategy to support mental health awareness and education activities through schools and communities,
- an independent review by N.B. First Nations experts of Youth Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Services for Indigenous Children and Youth both on and off reserve
- improve interim psychological and psychiatric treatment options in regionalized hospital care settings and in the Pierre Caissie Centre and Restigouche Hospital Centre (RHC) Youth unit
Daken’s father, Chris, is taking time to read the report, but hopes the province considers the recommendations, no matter the cost.
“There are things that are more important than money,” he said Thursday. “We still have a lot of unanswered questions … how can you put a value on someone’ life when they go in to get help?”
He says he’s hoping the complete report – which is supposed to be released at the end of July – will provide more of the roadmap needed to improve the system, not just for youth, but for everyone.
The advocate’s office spoke to experts in the field, but also youth who tried to get help from the healthcare and hospital system.
“One of the main challenges that we have heard from Lexi’s own family, but also from several other youth, parents and health professionals who have come forward in our review already is the need to intervene appropriately with suicidal youth,” the report reads.
It says some youth were “refused access to their loved ones for hours without end,” and felt like a “burden” when they were admitted to the hospital for suicidal ideation.
“One such young person was adamant that she would never seek hospital-based care again in a similar situation of crisis.”
Daken’s family chose to speak out about Lexi’s death, saying they want to help prevent it from happening again.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.