Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [translation] Minister of Health and Social Services, the kids that are addicted to drugs and alcohol, that is what I want to ask [translation ends].
The Department of Health and Social Services tabled a strategic framework on mental health and addictions recovery. Now, it is working on three action plans, with children and youth coming first. Can the Minister provide an update on the work towards its Children and Youth Mental Wellness Action Plan? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to the Member for raising this question. The framework is out. We have shared it with committee. It has been tabled. That strategic framework set out some guiding principles that were utilized in the development of the different action plans. Those items are a focus on prevention and early intervention, recovery orientation systems, personal experience and outcomes, and a whole-of-government approach. As we move forward with the different action plans, those are some of the guiding principles that we are using.
With respect to the child and youth mental wellness action plan, work has already been started. We have gone out and started doing different research on best practices in other jurisdictions, literature reviews, talking to people across the Northwest Territories. We have created an interdepartmental working group as part of the whole-of-government process that is helping us with the development. We are hoping that this action plan will be done summer 2017 in time for business planning so that we can work together with Members on both sides to move forward with the actions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
How will the actions described in this plan work with the department's future development of an addictions recovery action plan?
I am assuming the Member is referring to the child and youth mental wellness action plan. At this point, there are no actions identified. We are still in the development phase. As I indicated, all these action plans are working on some guiding principles that inter-tie with each other. Once again, it focuses on prevention, recovery-oriented systems, personal experiences, and outcomes, as well as a whole-of-government approach. To date, the department has completed a significant amount of research and literature reviews into best practices for addressing child and youth mental health challenges or mental health wellness. This information has formed the basis of the working group's work as they move forward with the development of the action plan.
I would like to ask the Minister if the youth themselves would be directly and meaningfully engaged in the development of these plans.
Yes. In fact they, already have. In the development of the framework in the summer of 2016, we held a number of different focus groups throughout communities and with youth from across the Northwest Territories. We engaged with FOXY and SMASH as well as MACA youth ambassadors. We have had youth involved.
Moving forward in the development of the action plan itself, we are intending to conduct different validation exercises with youth again to make sure that their voice is heard, that their input is included in the youth mental health action plan.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marci, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, currently, at this time, how are existing addictions programming targeted to serve the youth? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to addressing mental health and addictions issues across the Northwest Territories, the department is taking a holistic approach, and this includes a holistic approach to youth services, including services around addictions. We have community counselling positions throughout the Northwest Territories that can provide counselling to individuals who are struggling, both adults and youth. We have some specialized treatment options available for youth who are struggling from mental health and addictions. Many of those are in the south. We also have Trailcross in Fort Smith. Those programs are designed specifically for youth.
As we move forward with the action plan, Mr. Speaker, ways in which we can better target youth is part of the goal of this particular action plan. We do an awful lot, Mr. Speaker, but I think the Member can agree that we need to do more.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
