Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is related to my Member's statement recognizing a young family who had taken the necessary steps to improve their lifestyle without alcohol and drugs.
I also note that two young men have also taken the steps to stay away from alcohol and drugs. That's in my community of Fort Providence. And it's probably during this time of COVID that there's lots of reflection, and some of this is happening.
What I do note is that there's no campaign within my community regarding aftercare services. My question to the Minister of Health and Social Services: Can she provide an update on the aftercare strategy from the department? Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm always glad to hear that people have taken advantage of the treatment options that the department provides and that they have been successful. That is obviously great news for them and great news for the community as well.
We don't have an aftercare strategy, per se, but recently, we asked community governments to apply for peer support funding which would enable them to design their own program to assist people to maintain their sobriety.
So I hope that your community has applied for that money and that they will be able to provide that specific approach in addition to all the other mental health and supports that the Department offers. Thank you.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Minister for that reply. I note she did say that the communities have to apply for the funding to provide aftercare services. I'm just not sure if there's enough funding within that program for the community to hire a counsellor, a wellness counsellor.
I'm just wondering, I also note that they do have a mental health worker within the community, and I wonder if these professional services could be provided to the First Nations, should they choose to pursue an aftercare program. Mahsi.
Yes, thank you. The Member is correct, that there is one counsellor resident in the community and one child and youth care counsellor. These services are available to the public regardless of what their need is, what their age is, where they were born.
And I know that the community counsellor provides the Matrix Program, which is a form of aftercare, and he does that every Wednesday from 4:30 until 6:00, and I understand it's very well attended.
So by all means, I would encourage the Member to make that known to the people who have recently returned to the community. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
