The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The motion is in order. To the motion.

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Recommended Actions

1. That the Department of Health and Social Services ensure that its operational practices align with the principles of the new Mental Health Act.

2. That the Department of Health and Social Services review its clinical standards and protocols for the release of voluntary patients, including the use of risk-assessment screening tools and provision of follow-up care.

3. That the Department of Health and Social Services renew its efforts to recruit and retain front-line mental health workers, targeting positions with long-standing vacancies.

4. That the Department of Health and Social Services guarantee access to safe and affordable housing for front-line workers as a way of strengthening recruitment and retention.

5. That the Department of Health and Social Services ensure appropriate housing is available for patients being discharged from designated facilities, including patients receiving psychiatric care under community treatment plans.

6. That the Department of Health and Social Services strengthen efforts to re-establish a residential addictions treatment facility for the Northwest Territories or establish a pan-territorial facility.

7. That the Department of Health and Social Services expand its outreach, ensuring that health care workers provide services in remote communities on a more frequent basis.

8. That the Department of Health and Social Services offer mobile treatment services.

9. That the Department of Health and Social Services introduce a comprehensive after-care and relapse prevention program for use by counsellors across the Northwest Territories, based on the model developed by Shepell, a national mental health organization.

10. That the Department of Health and Social Services ensure that individuals with a criminal record for a violent or sexual offence are not denied access to southern residential treatment facilities.

11. That the Department of Health and Social Services work with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to develop “integrated community plans” for Aurora College students who have mental health issues.

12. That the Department of Health and Social Services collaborate with other GNWT departments to offer cultural camps and on-the-land programs, focusing on mental health, healing, and traditional Aboriginal knowledge.

13. That the Department of Health and Social Services provide respite services for family members who are providing care for mentally ill family members.

14. That the Department of Health and Social Services employ local health care staff or lay dispensers in communities in order to increase patients’ compliance in taking prescription medication.

15. That the Department of Health and Social Services provide a mechanism for hearing the concerns of patients and their advocates regarding prescription medication, focusing on measures to offset negative side effects.

16. That the Department of Health and Social Services review its official languages protocol to ensure that patients are receiving interpretation services as required.

17. That the Department of Health and Social Services introduce job sharing and part-time options for mental health workers in order to reduce the risk of burnout and make front-line positions more attractive.

18. That the Department of Health and Social Services adopt an approach that relies on therapy and counselling as a viable alternative to prescription medication.

19. That the Department of Health and Social Services hire additional psychiatrists in order to reduce lengthy wait times.

20. That the Department of Health and Social Services hire a dedicated psychiatrist to address the needs of children, adolescents and youth.

21. That the Department of Health and Social Services simplify job titles for front-line mental health workers so that workers will be more approachable.

22. That the Department of Health and Social Services strengthen its services for seniors who are experiencing dementia or Alzheimer’s.

23. That the Department of Health and Social Services hire additional medical social workers who can provide services at the intersection of mental health, counselling and social services.

24. That the Department of Health and Social Services work with community agencies, non-profit organizations and local churches to establish safe spaces where people with mental health issues can gather and receive support.

25.That the Department of Health and Social Services provide à la carte options which communities may use to support the implementation of assisted community treatment.

26.That the Department of Health and Social Services ensure that psychiatrists, medical doctors and other health care workers receive appropriate training in the use of assisted community treatment.

27. That the Government of the Northwest Territories take measures to limit the liability of people who agree to monitor an ACT patient.

1. That the Department of Health and Social Services monitor and evaluate each community treatment plan on an annual basis, looking for deficiencies and employing corrective actions.

2. That the Government of the Northwest Territories take stronger measures to address homelessness among residents who have mental health and addiction issues, looking to the success of “Housing First” initiatives in other parts of Canada.

3. That the Department of Health and Social Services expand its suicide prevention efforts across the Northwest Territories, ensuring the use of culturally appropriate messaging.

4. That the Department of Health and Social Services develop, and widely disseminate, a protocol for small-community residents on steps to be taken when someone has committed suicide or when someone is threatening to commit suicide or engaging in self-harm.

5. That the Government of the Northwest Territories adopt a proactive approach, providing training for community leaders and GNWT employees in Mental Health First Aid or Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), so that more people are alert to signs of trouble, equipped to intervene and able to prevent situations from escalating.

6. That the Department of Health and Social Services ensure that front-line workers are appropriately trained in the use of valid, reliable, evidence-based screening tools for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, schizophrenia, suicidal ideation and other mental disorders.

7. That the Department of Health and Social Services develop and implement a stand-alone, multi-departmental strategy and action plan for addressing the mental health needs of youth and adolescents, drawing on proven methods, programs and expertise in other jurisdictions.

8. That the Government of the Northwest Territories ensure that child protection workers, social workers and school attendance counsellors are placed in schools, recognizing that K-12 schools are natural and effective settings for early intervention.

9. That the Department of Health and Social Services appoint a lawyer as the chair of the review board.

10. That the Government of the Northwest Territories ensure that peace officers receive cultural-competency training in the use of force, including mechanical means or medication, for apprehending, conveying, detaining or controlling individuals under this act.

11. That the Department of Health and Social Services provide training for all authorized persons who apprehend, convey, detain or control individuals under this act.

12. That the Department of Health and Social Services post sample applications online to guide people who are preparing applications to the review board.

13. That the Department of Health and Social Services collaborate with the Department of Justice to ensure that a psychiatrist or qualified psychologist assesses potential clients for dangerous-offender status prior to inclusion in the Domestic Violence Treatment Options (DVTO) diversion program.

14. That the Department of Health and Social Services specify the purpose of the registry in the regulations.

15. That the Department of Health and Social Services include a description of the purpose of the registry in its plain-language communication materials.

16. That the Department of Health and Social Services stipulate in regulations that only pertinent information from certificates be entered into the registry, in accordance with Section 28 of the Health Information Act, which states that personal health information must not be used if non-identifying information is adequate for the intended purpose.

17. That the Department of Health and Social Services regularly remind peace officers and other authorized persons of their duty to respect the confidentiality of patient information.

18. That the Department of Health and Social Services inform patients who receive services outside the Northwest Territories that they are subject to privacy laws in outside jurisdictions rather than privacy laws of the Northwest Territories.

19. That the Department of Health and Social Services consult with the Standing Committee on Social Programs, key stakeholders and the public on the development of regulations.

20. That the Department of Health and Social Services provide training for staff on the new legislation, highlighting relevant sections of the

Act

and regulations, and giving direction on required procedures.

21. That the Department of Health and Social Services develop an agreement with the RCMP regarding their role under the new Mental Health Act, including cultural-competency training for RCMP officers.

22. That the Department of Health and Social Services ensure that the new act

harmonizes with the requirements of the Wellness Court Diversion Program.

23. That the Department of Health and Social Services establish in regulations that an Aboriginal chief may serve as a peace officer.

24. That the Department of Health and Social Services make efforts to educate the public about mental health issues, with a focus on informing residents of available services and reducing stigma for mental health consumers.

25. That the Department of Health and Social Services implement a comprehensive communication plan for the new legislation, including the circulation of plain-language materials.

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Mr. Moses.

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that Committee Report 25-17(5) be received and moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Moses. The motion is in order. To the motion.

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Moses.

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 100(4) to have Committee Report 25-17(5), Standing Committee on Social Programs Report on the Review of Bill 55: Mental Health Act, moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration later today.

---Unanimous consent granted

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Committee Report 25-17(5) is moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration later today. Item 14, tabling of documents.

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following three documents, entitled “2014 Public Service Annual Report,” “NWT Transportation Report Card 2015” and “Follow-up Correspondence for OQ 919-17(5): Discussion Paper on Energy Efficiency Act.”

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents, entitled “Skills 4 Success – 10-Year Strategic Framework” and “Government of the Northwest Territories 2014-2015 Annual Report on Official Languages.” Mahsi.

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Ramsay.