Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I agree with the deputy minister. Indeed, mental health areas have really been put to the back burner as it were. Under the community wellness initiatives we have looked at areas to talk about suicide prevention and so on. It always seems to be that when traumatic events occur there is very little counselling available. I know in the regions you might have a visiting clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, and that is two different disciplines under medical health, Mr. Chairman. They are not the same. When we do have that expertise available, we usually find that one visit for three or four days and then someone goes and does not come back for another month. We need that ability in the regions so that you have someone available who can fly into communities to help during the traumatic incidents, like suicides, like accidents or rapes. All kinds of different areas. In any other jurisdiction we would have people on the ground for that. Sometimes the counselling services that are available, because of the language problems, do not translate very well when you are speaking with a person who does not understand English very well or maybe not at all, and then try to ask them what their problems are through an interpreter. It is a very serious area and I would ask that the Minister and his staff review this area to see what type of support we can give to the regions. Like the deputy minister said, maybe the focus has not been as much on mental health as it has on other things under our community wellness strategies. I would like some type of commitment today, from the department, to at least look at it. I know money is tight but it has come forward many times before. I know in my region especially. I brought this up about the counselling services that are available. My wife, who works in a facility that tries to provide counselling, is now getting more professional development, but they are not professionals. I think it is an area of concern. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Edward Picco on Committee Motion 20-13(5): To Amend Clause 19 Of Bill 10: Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 1998
In the Legislative Assembly on February 23rd, 1998. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 20-13(5): To Amend Clause 19 Of Bill 10: Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 1998
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 23rd, 1998
Page 1037
Edward Picco Iqaluit
See context to find out what was said next.