Good morning, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Okay, this is Member's statement to Minister of Health and Social Services regarding communitybased wellness.
Mr. Speaker, many people in my regions are suffering with addiction and substance abuse. Achieving good mental health is a struggle for many. Unfortunately, that also means that many of our children and youth are growing up in homes that are not healthy and put them at risk for maltreatment. We are frustrated with this situation.
We know that the health and wellbeing of a person, family, and community is holistic. We need our health supports to reflect the wishes of our families and communities, yet my fellow community members and leaders are saying our voices are being ignored. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services need to do a better job of listening to the people in my region, including Indigenous government.
The Tlicho government wants to take some authority. We need addictions recovery and mental health services that respond to our need as Tlicho people. This has to happen now, as many people in my region are choosing not to seek help. We want to be able to get support for addictions, substance abuse, and mental health in ways that are rooted in our culture and from counsellors who are Indigenous, yet many of the people who are providing these services are from the south and have no connection to us. We need support, especially for our youth, that affirm who we are as Tlicho.
Mr. Speaker, my region faces many barriers, including lack of access to counsellors. We do have child and youth care counsellors program that is important to our children and youth, but we are having poor outcomes. The Tlicho government wants greater control over this program as it is our Tlicho children and youth that are being served. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
