It was in the House of Assembly this week. When showing up to demonstrate— we were greeted with another empty parking lot because it was a holiday for those at Confed, but it was so nice to have mild weather, little wind, and the promise of spring in the air.
But it was back to it on Tuesday, and there was a little relief when it came to the carbon tax chatter this week. Instead the opposition grilled about the cost of the cyber attack, housing, asking for Minister Hogan’s resignation, the new hospital in Corner Brook, and arguing about whether the tent encampment down at Colonial Building is a protest or not.
But as you know, I was listening for any talk about mental health. Once again I have to say thank you to Paul Dinn and Lela for not letting it go.
First mention in question period was by Lela on Tuesday, April 23rd:
Tom Osbourne’s response sent me into a bit of a tailspin. Every time he mentions Towards Recovery and how great it is, I think about how he wasn’t even aware in June of 2023 that it hadn’t been released. How could he possibly understand it’s signifigence if he wasn’t even aware of the report not being released?
To add to that, his response about Bridge the Gapp being there as an option once again added to my tailspin. As someone who has been in crisis. As someone who has been desperate for help, the last thing someone wants to do is navigate the Bridge the Gapp website. I wish I could yell out from the gallery that they should be adding several other mental health system navigators like Barry Hewitt. A team of one that has had his calls double in the last several years if I understand correctly. To add to that, Minister Osbourne mentioned the following resources.
Doorways
FACT
Beds in Labrador
Bridge the Gapp
811
Later in the week it would come out that the beds in Labrador aren’t even in operation because of a shortage in staff. Yet another thing on the 54 recommendations that is not yet complete because there is no-one to staff the actual beds. This will be a problem across the board. As someone who is in consultations for a new mental health initiative, I can’t help but wonder who will staff it? How will they find the people to make it work if they can’t even get six beds staffed?
Later on during the session, while talking about an amendment— Lela talked once again about lack of access to mental healthcare in Labrador. She spoke how it often feels like they live in a different world because in her district, she pointed out, people can’t even go to the Waterford. You can be in psychosis, but not have proper support. As she continued on, she shared a heartbreaking story about a young man who died by suicide. He loved his home, but he couldn’t bear it anymore. The support for him wasn’t there. Lela always speaks with passion and I admire her deeply.
Wednesday, April 24th:
Tony Wakeham got up and questioned Fred Hutton about the housing units by the airport. He questioned how much security would cost. Minister Hutton responded by mentioning some of those supports which he said would include counselors and addiction supports.
Government loves to use the words “wraparound services” I assume mental healthcare is included in that, but it’s hard not to get cynical when it’s not provided to most who need it now.
Petitions were brought forward— Lela once again spoke to being unable to access adequate healthcare. She spoke about revising it to include access to mental healthcare.
Paul Dinn got up immediately afterword and presented a petition to ask for access to long term mental healthcare. I’m so grateful that both parties in opposition are willing to speak to this.
Thursday, April 25th
Tony Wakeham asked for clarification about what supports would be available for those going to the housing units near the airport including access to mental healthcare with those wraparound supports.
I found Premier Furey’s answer to be quite something: “ As this government, we intend to provide the full wraparound supports. Whether that's health services available to them, mental health and addictions services available to them, social services available to them, they are being provided that and offered options towards those facilities. They are being offered that today, Sir. They are being offered it on a regular basis with respect to the encampment currently, and we intend to ensure that those services are continued to being offered in any future housing options that are available and selected by the people that are in that encampment.”
Are they really being offered mental healthcare at the encampment? Is it accessible?
NDP really took the government to task—Lela started by asking about why the six psychatric beds in Labrador aren’t staffed and then onto why they haven’t been able to fill a psychosis nurse position. This line in particular from her stuck out to me: “Will the minister admit this government is not taking concrete action to help those needing critical mental health care?”
I’m glad mental health care is being asked and talked about— but it’s so hard to listen to this discourse and not become discouraged. Even moreso, the fact not a single person has brought up losing Wellness Together in the House of Assembly. A 24/7 service that has yet to be adequately replaced and Tom Osbourne is on the record blatantly misleading the public by saying we have services that do that.
Despair creeps in about my own case. But yet, I’m one of the lucky ones.
The stigma only seems to grow when it comes to addictions, psychosis, and other conditions that come with serious mental illness that many don’t truly understand. It’s a complex conversation that it feels very few are willing to actually have beyond pointing us to Doorways.