Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about mental health challenges in communities that I represent.
Recently, I have learned of several major sorry, there are several very serious medical incidents arising from chronic mental health conditions in my constituent communities. These tragic circumstances have serious impacts on the community that extend beyond one individual.
Our Indigenous people, our communities, are tightknit and compassionate. We support each other through the best and worst times. We also suffer together. The legacy of colonialism and genocide have left our people deep psychological scars. The (audio) of general trauma continues to (audio) Indigenous people in the Northwest Territories, leading to depression, anger and violence, and suicide.
Mr. Speaker, I received a call from a council Member in one my communities I represent and was very distressed to learn it was about a young woman who was suicidal. This young woman had sadly attempted suicide by hanging herself but was thankfully seen by friends and family who brought her to the health centre to be assessed and hoped to see her admitted to the psych ward in Yellowknife.
The nursing staff kept her for a short time then released her with Tylenol pills. Even the RCMP were unwilling to have the young woman apprehended and admitted to the hospital, something made possible through the Mental Health Act.
This sorry episode is both moving and disheartening. The tremendous compassion and conviction of the young woman and family is inspiring, just the lack of care available in the community is heartbreaking.
Mr. Speaker, we know from the Offices of the Auditor General of Canada that the government is not doing enough to treat and prevent addictions. This is particularly true in respect to our small communities. I will quote from the report.
We were also concerned by the lack of coordination needed to connect clients with services that required (audio) though it's been 20 years since the department committed to better help coordinate the health and social service system to improve residents' access to services. The department and health authorities need to do more to deliver on their commitments to provide equitable, culturallysafe programs to help people impacted by addictions and access the care they need for their own wellbeing and that of their own communities.
Mr. Speaker, who is responsible for the safety of the individual who is a threat to themselves and others. Surely it's not the distressed family (audio) medical and police professionals for help. We can do better.
In that precious time, in that precious lives have been lost already, and my constituents cannot bear seeing any more of their sons and daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers, consumed by the darkness of despair and suicide. It's time to take a serious look at the healthcare and mental health support in small communities and make this a real priority for the government and future governments.
I will questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Tu NedheWiilideh. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
