The First Nations Advisory Council is New Brunswick is calling for action from the government.
They released their report today looking into Youth Suicide Prevention and Mental health Services.
It was entitled, “No Child Left Behind”
Elsipogtog Chief Aaron Sock says we just keep fighting the same fight over and over again…”Our First Nation children and youth in New Brunswick are dying by suicide at three to five times more than the general population in New Brunswick.”
“Mental health issues among Indigenous peoples are among the most severe of any group and the suicide rates are three times higher than among non-Indigenous groups, with even higher rates within the 15- to 24-year-old Indigenous youth group,” said Roxanne Sappier, co-chair of the First Nations Advisory Council and director of health for the Tobique First Nation. “We need to adapt the approach to suicide prevention to include culturally relevant services and programs.”
The report includes calls to action aimed at addressing challenges faced by Indigenous children and youth and the flaws in the provision of mental health services.
Tobique First Nation Chief Ross Perley is hoping Health Minister Dorothy Shephard will take their recommendation seriously , “The access to mental health care should not be understated and 13 calls to action will save the lives to many young people once they are implemented. No child should be left behind, and every child matters.”
Tobique First Nation Chief Ross Perley (Photo: Livestream)
The report also supports a call for a more comprehensive review to identify gaps in mental health services for Indigenous youth.
“One life lost to suicide is one life too many,” said Graydon Nicholas, co-chair of the Stakeholders Advisory Council. “Our nations need a path to wellness and healing by creating partnerships involving Indigenous leaders, directors, organizations and provincial and federal governments to improve mental health service delivery for our youth.”
