Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I talked a bit more about the mental strain and struggles that a lot of victims go through with respect to bullying and cyber-bullying. If there was ever an ideology to put forward in terms of the Mental Health Strategy, I think this would be one of the best cases going forward.
My question for the Minister of Health is: Given the fact that, in my Member’s statement today and I am sure the Minister would agree, we’re dealing with a lot of potential depressive illnesses here, prolonged psychological issues with victims of bullying, can the Minister indicate to me, if I was a parent who is out there listening today, what means and what measures do we have out there to help these victims of bullying right now in our schools? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the things that the department is doing is offering community counselling programs in every region in every community. So the counsellors and wellness workers are available to assist youth, and youth who are showing problems, and emotional problems, and having emotions in dealing with issues of being bullied in schools. Thank you.
I appreciate the Minister for indicating about the community counselling programs we have there, but the question to the Minister is: These counsel programs, are they really specialized to deal with bullying in nature? Bullying is a separate condition I think in cases that because of the repeated and constant repeating and violations that these people and victims have to go through. Are our community-based counselling programs equipped to deal with this type of issue?
The department is also piloting and talking about mental illness programs with Grade 8 students in Yellowknife. This program focuses on decreasing the stigma associated with mental illness, which could result from being bullied, causing depression for the youth, including suicidal thoughts and so on. So if youth are experiencing those, it’s more likely that they’re able to reach out for some help. The program also strives to build empathy with the youth, so they’re able to recognize somebody who is struggling and also recognize people who are being bullied and not saying anything. Thank you.
I thank the Minister for indicating we have a pilot project out there. That leads me to think that with a pilot project, we obviously must be working towards something. I’m hoping that that issue is potentially a Mental Health Strategy. With that question in mind, can the Minister indicate is this the precursor to the Mental Health Strategy that this government has been so desperately looking towards?
It will form a part in the Mental Health Strategy. The idea of the program, once it’s been reviewed, piloted, evaluated, the idea is that the department plans to expand the program right across the territory. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister for going on record that we do have a Mental Health Strategy in the works. My final question will always be that proverbial question: When can we see this on the floor? Thank you.
Sorry, I don’t have that timeline with me in the House today, but I can provide that information to the Member later on today or tomorrow when I have that information. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
