Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I thank you for letting me put my name in earlier today for this.
Madam Speaker, over the past two years the pandemic has taken over the lives of Canadians. It has created and encouraged division amongst many. It has successfully torn families apart, pitted friend against friend, promoted animosity within social groups – all this mostly caused by misinformation, imperfect communication, and fear.
Madam Speaker, elders are being confined to extended care facilities. Out of fear, some people are unwilling to leave their homes. Social fractures in the community are causing anxiety and distrust. Not being able to feed one's family due to loss of employment is affecting one's self worth. Loss of one's business is causing depression. Limited access to acute healthcare services are costing lives all of this leading to further anxiety, fear, uncertainty, stress, and sometimes loss of life.
Madam Speaker, we may be turning the page on the physical harm caused by the virus, and it is now time to focus on the healing aspect by managing the mental health damage caused by the virus, pandemic lockdowns, and restrictions.
Reviewing information on both sides of the debate, my understanding is that there is an unknown when we talk about how the pandemic has impacted one's mental health. We see words being used that include posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, stress, irritation, frustration, anger, insomnia, suicide, substance abuse, addictions, guilt and intimidation all being indicators associated with mental health.
Madam Speaker, those with mental health disorders are prone to relapse causing their condition to worsen and possibly leading to potential harm. The pandemic has only heightened it.
Our healthcare system is the only safety net many people have, whether it is for mental health or for the many other health issues that have been triggered by this pandemic.
It has been asserted that those that will be most affected are those who face social inequities – something not lost on us in a territory with many small havenot and isolated communities. Madam Speaker, people of the Northwest Territories will be looking for a plan from this government to address those health issues that have arisen due to the pandemic and, more specifically, mental health issues.
For what it’s worth, my advice to the Minister of Health and this government, if not already doing so, is to develop a postpandemic mental health action plan that would provide residents with timely access to treatment. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Nanukput.
