From: "Dion, Mario" <Mario.Dion@cie.parl.gc.ca>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2023 16:24:02 +0000
Subject: Réponse automatique : YO Alex Vass say Hey to Higgy et al for me will ya?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
I have retired and am no longer the Conflict of Interest and Ethics
Commissioner.
Please contact Josée Beaudoin at
josee.beaudoin@cie.parl.gc.ca<
have your email re-directed if necessary.
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Veuillez contacter Josée Beaudoin à
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pour qu'elle puisse re-diriger votre courriel si nécessaire.
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---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2023 12:23:56 -0400
Subject: YO Alex Vass say Hey to Higgy et al for me will ya?
To: Alex.Vass@gnb.ca, "Mark.Blakely" <Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>,
"martin.gaudet" <martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>
<Michelle.Boutin@rcmp-grc.gc.
<Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>, "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>,
"Rene.Legacy" <Rene.Legacy@gnb.ca>, "chuck.chiasson"
<chuck.chiasson@gnb.ca>, John Furey <JohnFurey@fureylegal.com>,
"jacques.j.leblanc" <jacques.j.leblanc@gnb.ca>, "Rene.Arseneault"
<Rene.Arseneault@parl.gc.ca>, "Bill.Hogan" <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>,
"Bill.Oliver" <Bill.Oliver@gnb.ca>, "Gary.Crossman"
<Gary.Crossman@gnb.ca>, "Margaret.Johnson" <Margaret.Johnson@gnb.ca>,
"Tammy.Scott-Wallace" <Tammy.Scott-Wallace@gnb.ca>, "jill.green"
<jill.green@gnb.ca>, "Margo.Sheppard" <Margo.Sheppard@fredericton.ca
"mary.wilson" <mary.wilson@gnb.ca>, "Mario.Dion"
<Mario.Dion@cie.parl.gc.ca>, "jake.stewart" <jake.stewart@parl.gc.ca>,
"pierre.poilievre" <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, "jagmeet.singh"
<jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, briangallant10 <briangallant10@gmail.com>,
BrianThomasMacdonald <BrianThomasMacdonald@gmail.
(LEG)" <mike.holland@gnb.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, media-medias@gnb.ca,
premier.ministre@gnb.ca, "Kelly.A.Lamrock" <Kelly.A.Lamrock@gnb.ca>,
francine.belliveau@gnb.ca
https://davidraymondamos3.
Tuesday, 21 February 2023
Failure to appoint promised mental health advocate in N.B. 'a complete disgrace'
From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)" <Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca>
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2022 15:36:11 +0000
Subject: RE: Methinks all the doctors, lawyers and particularly the
LIEBranos know why Higgy ain't crazy about appointing a mental health
advocate anytime soon N'esy Pas Robert McKee???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response
to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed
at the earliest opportunity.
If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a
Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for
review and consideration.
Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous
informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les
meilleurs délais.
Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un ministère ou d'un autre
secteur du gouvernement, le personnel vous renverra votre courriel
pour examen et considération.
If this is a Media Request, please contact the Premier’s office at
(506) 453-2144 or by email
media-medias@gnb.ca<mailto:med
S’il s’agit d’une demande des médias, veuillez communiquer avec le
Cabinet du premier ministre au 506-453-2144.
Office of the Premier/Cabinet du premier ministre
P.O Box/C. P. 6000 Fredericton New-Brunswick/Nouveau-
Tel./Tel. : (506) 453-2144
Email/Courriel:
premier@gnb.ca/premier.
From: "Fitch, Bruce Hon. (DH/MS)" <Bruce.Fitch@gnb.ca>
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2022 20:11:48 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: YO Kelly Lamrock I called today to speak to
YOU True or False??
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office until
Tuesday, November 15. If you need immediate assistance, please
contact my Executive Secretary, Francine Belliveau, at (506) 453-2851
or by email at francine.belliveau@gnb.ca.
If your request is Constituency related, please contact Kathy Connors
at my Constituency office in Riverview at Kathy.Connors@gnb.ca or by
phone at 506-869-6117.
Thanks again for your email.
Hon. Bruce Fitch
MLA for Riverview
------------------------------
Merci pour votre courriel. Je suis présentement à l'extérieur du
bureau jusqu'à mardi le 15 novembre. Pour assistance immédiate, svp
contacter ma secrétaire exécutive, Francine Belliveau à
francine.belliveau@gnb.ca our par téléphone au (506) 453-2851,
Si votre demande est liée à la circonscription, veuillez contacter
Kathy Connors à mon bureau de circonscription à Riverview à
Kathy.Connors@gnb.ca ou par téléphone au 506-869-6117.
Merci encore pour votre courriel.
L'hon. Bruce Fitch
Député de Riverview
From: "Mitton, Megan (LEG)" <Megan.Mitton@gnb.ca>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2023 11:51:05 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks all the doctors, lawyers and
particularly the LIEBranos know why Higgy ain't crazy about appointing
a mental health advocate anytime soon N'esy Pas Robert McKee???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
(Le français suit)
Thank you for your email. I will be out of the office while I’m in
Fredericton participating in the Climate Change and Environmental
Stewardship Committee all week. Thank you for your patience as I
respond to emails.
For immediate assistance, please call my constituency office at: (506)
378-1565 or the Fredericton office: (506) 457-6842.
For media requests, please call: 506-429-2285.
- - -
Merci pour votre courriel. Je ne serai pas au bureau pendant que je
serai à Fredericton pour participer au Comité permanent des
changements climatiques et de l’intendance de l’environnement toute la
semaine. Je vous remercie de votre patience pendant que je réponds aux
courriels.
Pour une assistance immédiate, veuillez appeler mon bureau de
circonscription au : (506) 378-1565 ou le bureau de Fredericton :
(506) 457-6842.
Pour les demandes des médias, veuillez composer le 506-429-2285.
Megan Mitton (elle / she, her)
(506) 378-1565 (bureau / office)
Députée de Memramcook-Tantramar | Responsable en matière de la santé,
le logement, le changement climatique, et les droits humains.
MLA for Memramcook-Tantramar | Advocate and Critic on files including
Health, Housing, Climate Change, and Human Rights.
Le Nouveau-Brunswick est situé sur les territoires traditionnels, non
cédés des Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik & Peskotomuhkati. | New Brunswick is
situated on the unceded traditional territories of the Mi’kmaq,
Wolastoqiyik & Peskotomuhkati.
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Macfarlane, Bruce (ECO/BCE)" <Bruce.Macfarlane@gnb.ca>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2023 11:51:06 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks all the doctors, lawyers and
particularly the LIEBranos know why Higgy ain't crazy about appointing
a mental health advocate anytime soon N'esy Pas Robert McKee???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
OUT OF OFFICE ALERT: I am away from the office, serving as
Communications Lead for Team New Brunswick at the 2023 Canada Winter
Games. I will be monitoring this account for Canada Games-related
inquiries, but you may also try to text me at 506-476-1376. Should you
require immediate assistance on government media matters, please
contact Alex Vass at Alex.Vass@gnb.ca<mailto:Alex.
should be back in the office sometime after Tuesday, March 7th.
ABSENT DU BUREAU : Je suis absent du bureau, car j'occupe le poste de
responsable des communications pour Équipe Nouveau-Brunswick aux Jeux
d'été du Canada de 2022. Je surveillerai ce compte pour les questions
relatives aux Jeux d’hiver du Canada de 2023 mais vous pouvez aussi
essayer de m'envoyer un message texte au 506-476-1376. Si vous avez
besoin d'une aide immédiate pour les questions relatives aux médias
gouvernementaux, veuillez communiquer avec Alex Vass à
Alex.Vass@gnb.ca<mailto:Alex.
bureau le mardi 7 mars
.
---------- Original message ----------
From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario <Premier@ontario.ca>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2023 11:51:06 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks all the doctors, lawyers and
particularly the LIEBranos know why Higgy ain't crazy about appointing
a mental health advocate anytime soon N'esy Pas Robert McKee???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly valued.
You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read,
reviewed and taken into consideration.
There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the
need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your
correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a
response may take several business days.
Thanks again for your email.
______
Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de
nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.
Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en
considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère
responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de
la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours
ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.
Merci encore pour votre courriel.
Methinks all the doctors, lawyers and particularly the LIEBranos know why Higgy ain't crazy about appointing a mental health advocate anytime soon N'esy Pas Robert McKee???
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Tue, Feb 21, 2023 at 7:51 AM |
| To: "robert.mckee" <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, sheilagunnreid <sheilagunnreid@gmail.com>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, alex@themanatee.net, shauna@themanatee.net, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, andre <andre@jafaust.com>, jbosnitch <jbosnitch@gmail.com>, "robert.gauvin" <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, "Jacques.Poitras" <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>, "David.Akin" <David.Akin@globalnews.ca>, "Dale.Morgan" <Dale.Morgan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Mark.Blakely" <Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "barbara.massey" <barbara.massey@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Brenda.Lucki" <Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "andrea.anderson-mason" <andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca>, "hugh.flemming" <hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>, "Dominic.Cardy" <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>, gerald <gerald@kissnb.com>, "David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, "Mike.Comeau" <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, "Kevin.leahy" <Kevin.leahy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Arseneau, Kevin (LEG)" <kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)" <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, office@peoplesalliance.ca, "michelle.conroy" <michelle.conroy@gnb.ca>, freedomreport.ca@gmail.com, Viva Frei <david@vivafrei.com>, "fin.minfinance-financemin.fin" <fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, news-tips <news-tips@nytimes.com>, news <news@dailygleaner.com>, "Katie.Telford" <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, premier <premier@ontario.ca>, kingpatrick278 <kingpatrick278@gmail.com>, "Macfarlane, Bruce (DH/MS)" <Bruce.Macfarlane@gnb.ca>, "benoit.bourque" <benoit.bourque@gnb.ca>, Brian Ruhe <brian@brianruhe.ca>, briangallant10 <briangallant10@gmail.com>, "Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, "rob.moore" <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, vanessa.blanch@cbc.ca, "Dorothy.Shephard" <Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca>, ombud <ombud@cbc.ca>, "bruce.fitch" <bruce.fitch@gnb.ca>, "John.Williamson" <John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>, "john.green" <john.green@gnb.ca>, "Adam.Bowie" <Adam.Bowie@gnb.ca>, "charles.murray" <charles.murray@gnb.ca> | |
| Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, alexvietinghoff@gmail.com, jon@populardemandpictures.ca, plee <plee@stu.ca>, press@substackinc.com, accommodations@tvo.org | |
Failure to appoint promised mental health advocate in N.B. 'a complete disgrace'
More than 3 years after MLAs voted unanimously for a mental health advocate, position has yet to be created
This retired accountant, now in his 70s, has spent his adult life managing care for his three siblings who have schizophrenia.
Over the years, he has become an unofficial advocate for many in the Moncton area fighting to get the mental health and addictions treatment they need.
In 2019, he celebrated when the New Brunswick legislature unanimously passed a motion to appoint a mental health advocate, but more than three years later he is at a loss as to why it hasn't been budgeted for, nor acted upon.
"Is it that they don't care?" he wonders. "I just don't understand. I don't understand — and what really bothers me and hurts me is who is suffering through all this? Each and every person in New Brunswick suffering from mental illness."
At the request of a past minister in the Blaine Higg's government, Ouellet even wrote a job description for the new position.
He envisioned an office with staff across the province who could investigate complaints, make recommendations, and review programs and policies for those with mental illness, including substance use disorder or addiction.
Province now says advocate might not be necessary
CBC News was not allowed to interview Health Minister Bruce Fitch.
Instead, spokesperson Adam Bowie sent an e-mail saying the Department of Health "is still considering the creation of a mental health advocate position, or whether that accountability and oversight is being provided by several existing resources."
It is a disgrace and a lack of respect — a great lack of respect to every person in New Brunswick suffering from mental illness.
- Paul Ouellet
Bowie said the province already has an ombud and a child and youth advocate to hear concerns about mental health issues and hold government to account when it comes to "its promise to bolster and enhance mental health services."
"And it also has Psychiatric Patient Advocate Services, which ensures that New Brunswick's Mental Health Act is appropriately applied and that each section of the Act is respected," he wrote.
Psychiatric patient advocate services is a Department of Health office that offers advice and assistance to people detained in a psychiatric facility, and those who are involuntary patients in psychiatric facilities.
The
Department of Health declined CBC's request for an interview with
Health Minister Bruce Fitch and said in an email the department is
"still considering" whether a mental health advocate is necessary. (CBC)
That response from the Department of Health was the first time Ouellet had heard that a mental health advocate may not be appointed.
"It is a disgrace and a lack of respect — a great lack of respect to every person in New Brunswick suffering from mental illness," Ouellet said, adding politicians have told him for years that the position is "going to happen," and "we just need to put things in place."
Ouellet said the ombud and the child and youth advocate are already busy, and the challenges for people suffering with mental illness and addiction are so great, a dedicated advocate is needed.
"Mental illness does not go away — will not go away. It's only getting worse. You have addiction, you have homelessness and you have mental illness. The problem is just getting much worse, much worse."
Tragedy leads to addiction
Nikki Kennedy, 31, is one of many New Brunswickers Ouellet has helped to find the care they need to get better.
After struggling for eight years with an addiction to the drug known as "speed," she is convinced a permanent mental health advocate is long overdue.
Nikki
Kennedy, seen here with her baby boy, Riley, didn't know how to cope
when he accidentally drowned at a family barbeque. She believes all
addiction is rooted in trauma, and that people deserve dedicated,
one-on-one-support to recover. (Submitted by Nikki Kennedy)
The Moncton woman was a new mother when the unimaginable happened to her 17-month-old son.
"I wanted to be the best mom I could be for him, even though I was young," she said. "I really tried hard but unfortunately during a family barbecue he passed away accidentally. He drowned in my parents' pool."
Kennedy said the loss of her baby boy broke her.
"I stayed in my room for a very long time until everybody was telling me, 'You need to get up, you need to get out of the house.' But I didn't want to. I couldn't understand or comprehend how my son could be here one minute and then gone the next."
Kennedy
said after the death of her son she would wake up and hear his cries,
only to realize he was gone. She said it was the hardest thing she has
ever been through and drugs helped her to get out of bed after the
tragedy. (Submitted by Nikki Kennedy)
Kennedy turned to the powerful stimulant to cope. She said the amphetamine pills allowed her to get up and get through the day without crying. Soon, she was buying them by the hundreds and taking two or three every day.
During those years, she completed two college programs and worked, but Kennedy said her world "was caving in" and her health was deteriorating to the point that her hair was falling out "in chunks."
Advocate would be a life changer for many
Over eight years Kennedy went to detox three separate times, but without the help she needed after the seven-day stints, she always relapsed.
"Detox isn't actually a treatment centre. You don't learn how to cope with recovery or your everyday life," Kennedy explained. "Each time I would beg the nurses to allow me to stay longer, but unfortunately because of the wait list, they weren't able to let me stay."
Kennedy was offered weekly group counselling sessions, and the meeting times for Narcotics Anonymous, but said at that time she wasn't ready to share her story with a group. She asked for a long-term rehab program, but was told there were none available to her.
Nikki
Kennedy believes a mental health advocate could work to eliminate the
stigma around mental illness and addiction, and could have helped her to
find the help she needed to cope with the loss of her son much sooner. (Vanessa Blanch/CBC)
Eventually, Kennedy's family paid nearly $10,000 for a private, 28-day residential treatment program in Nova Scotia, which was the beginning of her recovery.
When she graduated, Paul Ouellet was there. When she relapsed, he advocated for her and she finally got a weekly, one-on-one appointment with a mental health counsellor.
Kennedy went to that first appointment after an overdose scare. She said the two events combined to finally change her life.
"That made me realize, wow, I would have literally let this addiction take my life," she said. "And that's kind of where things shifted. It was the day that I had my first meeting with the counsellor."
Kennedy believes New Brunswickers need as many mental health resources as possible, and said having someone who can advocate for individuals and navigate the system "would be a life changer for a lot of people."
"For me personally, it would have changed my life. It would have. Eight years of trying and and failing and trying and failing — it's so, so discouraging. And after awhile I really thought, am I going to be an addict — like in active addiction forever? Maybe this is all I can be."
'It's desperate out there'
Myra Leger, 75, calls Paul Ouellet "an angel in man's clothes."
The Moncton grandmother and retired nurse has adult children who suffer with mental illness.
She said they grew up in an abusive home. Eventually she packed them up and went to an emergency shelter, but decades later, two of her children still struggle.
"It's desperate out there," she said of trying to find a psychiatrist after she persuaded her son to stop sleeping in his car and move to a shelter.
"I tried to get my son [a psychiatrist] a year ago, and I was informed that it's going to be six years to see him."
Leger is trying to "hang in there," and said it is Ouellet who helped her son get in to see a counsellor. He is now stable enough to live with her, rather than in a shelter, while he searches for an apartment of his own.
Myra
Leger calls Paul Ouellet 'an angel in man's clothes' and says his
support has helped her to find care for her adult children who suffer
with mental illness. (Vanessa Blanch/CBC)
"He was too lonesome … he was just hurting and he didn't have any money."
Leger said she prays for her kids to "be OK," and that she will be able to "make everything good for them" before she is gone.
"I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for God and Paul."
Leger said a mental health advocate is badly needed to fight for services for families like hers.
Government urged to 'look out for the people'
Ouellet said seeing people get the help they need, and get better, is what keeps him going.
He continues to work seven days a week from his dining room table, working to expand the mental health courts in the province, establish a long-term residential treatment program for women and of course, appoint a mental health advocate.
Paul
Ouellet considers himself New Brunswick's "unofficial mental health
advocate." The retired accountant works every day to improve care in the
province and to support people who need help. (Pierre Fournier/CBC)
Kennedy said she is now strong enough to join that fight.
"There's not enough being done — please do what we elected you to do," she said when asked what message she would send to members of the Blaine Higgs government. "Look out for the people. We still have so many people that are struggling."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
"Proof positive that the government (all parties) are all talk and very little action. Unless it adds to the bottom line or appeases the wants of the likes of the irvings, we get prettty much nothing for our representation and tax dollar. Just look at the condition of our health care, schools, infrastructure, roads and the list goes on an on."
Lol.
People with physical and mental illnesses amazingly " disappear"
without ANY medical or mental health assistance.
We NB'ers truly are blessed!
You voted for them, gave them a majority in fact. You have no one to blame than yourselves. And if you didn't vote and sat on yer 'rse, well it's your fault as well. Don't complain, you reap what you sow.
"Methinks when apathy rules the day we get the governments we deserve N'esy Pas?"
“SarahRose Werner
• 50 minutes ago
Reply to @Jim McPhee: Agreed. I didn't vote in the 2020 provincial election and will probably never vote again. I don't trust any of them any more.”
I was taught if you don’t vote you can’t complain.
Reply to Michael Cain
> https://davidraymondamos3.
>
>
> https://twitter.com/
>
>
> David Raymond Amos
> @DavidRaymondAm1
>
> Replying to @DavidRaymondAm1 @DavidRayAmos and 49 others
>
> Methinks all the doctors, lawyers and particularly the LIEBranos know
> why Higgy ain't crazy about appointing a mental health advocate
> anytime soon N'esy Pas???
>
>
>
> https://davidraymondamos3.
>
>
>
> #cdnpoli
>
>
>
> https://www.cbc.ca/news/
>
>
> Mental health advocate challenges province to make good on promise
> Paul Ouellet calls failure to appoint a mental health advocate 2 years
> after motion passed 'unacceptable'
>
> Vanessa Blanch · CBC News · Posted: Jan 03, 2022 8:00 AM AT
>
>
> Paul Ouellet of Moncton is calling on the provincial government to
> finally appoint a mental health advocate after a motion was passed
> unanimously in the legislature more than two years ago. (Vanessa
> Blanch/CBC)
>
> A longtime advocate for people suffering with mental illness hopes
> 2022 will be the year the New Brunswick government finally makes good
> on a promise that's more than two years old.
>
> Paul Ouellet lobbied for years for New Brunswick to appoint a mental
> health advocate. He celebrated in November 2019 when a motion passed
> unanimously in the legislature to introduce the position, but nothing
> has happened since.
>
> "To me that is unacceptable," he said. "That a motion voted
> unanimously over two years ago has not yet been actioned."
>
> Introduced by the Liberals, the original 2019 motion called on the
> Progressive Conservative government to create an independent
> legislative officer position, to represent people with mental health
> issues and their caregivers.
>
> When the Higgs government refused, the motion was amended to create a
> mental health advocate position, but that has never been budgeted for,
> nor acted upon.
>
> Province's 'neglect' leaves man on verge of breaking promise to
> sister with schizophrenia
> Advocate for mentally ill says shortage of home-care workers
> landed sister in hospital - twice
>
> Ouellet has two siblings with schizophrenia, and he has helped to care
> for them for decades.
>
> He has seen firsthand the difficulties that families like his face
> trying get patients the help they need.
>
> Ouellet has fought for adequate home care for his sister on several
> occasions and has seen her spiral into psychosis requiring
> hospitalization when no care providers were available to help her
> manage her medication.
>
> He now worries she will have to move into a special care home since
> the health system cannot provide what she needs.
>
> "Mentally ill individuals don't have a voice," said Ouellet, a retired
> civil servant. "Those individuals in the community that I journey
> with, who suffer from mental illness, and I accompany them to the
> clinic and other appointments that they have, I so often see that
> they're not fully understood and they're not capable to speak for
> themselves."
> Wish list for new year
>
> In a letter to Health Minister Dorothy Shephard in October, Ouellet
> outlined his top priorities for the new year.
>
> In addition to the appointment of a mental health advocate for New
> Brunswick, he asked that the mental health court that operates in
> Saint John be expanded to Fredericton, Bathurst, Edmundston, Miramichi
> and Moncton.
>
> Mentally ill offenders get court program back in Saint John
>
> He is also calling for a mental health addiction treatment centre in
> Moncton that would be exclusively for women.
>
> CBC News tried to ask Shephard why the province hasn't yet appointed a
> mental health advocate, and when someone will be appointed.
>
> Health Minister Dorothy Shephard introduced a plan to improve mental
> health services in the province in 2021, but it did not include any
> mention of the appointment of a mental health advocate. (Ed
> Hunter/CBC)
>
> No one from the Department of Health has responded.
>
> Ouellet has received a letter from Shephard in which she explained
> that work continues on multiple initiatives. He said her response was
> not what he was hoping for.
>
> "I sometimes wonder if our high ranking officials in government are
> sensitized to mental illness. I ask myself that question because … it
> has been a need for years."
>
> Ouellet is calling on Shephard and the Higgs government to finally
> appoint an advocate to represent the concerns of those who are all too
> often unable to get the help "they truly and deeply need."
>
> "We definitely need an advocate position to be there for those most
> vulnerable in our province — the mentally ill. They need someone to be
> there to help them navigate the system, someone to be there to make
> sure their rights are respected, and that they're treated with
> dignity."
>
> Mental health plan not enough
>
> In February, Shephard laid out a five-year action plan to improve
> mental health services in the province.
>
> It includes a promise for same-day service at walk-in clinics across
> New Brunswick, and a provincial youth centre based in Moncton by 2024.
>
> More walk-in clinics, mobile crisis units coming this year, vows
> health minister
>
> It did not include any mention of appointing a mental health advocate.
>
> Ouellet said that after decades of helping his sisters and brother and
> many others navigate the mental health care system, the plan simply
> does not go far enough.
>
> Paul Ouellet goes through the detailed files he keeps about the care
> of his sister who suffers from severe schizophrenia. He has helped to
> care for his siblings with mental illness for decades, and believes
> that without his advocacy they would be dead. (Vanessa Blanch/CBC)
>
> "If I would not have been journeying with them for the past 47 years,
> I don't think honestly that they would be alive today," he said of his
> siblings.
>
> "I can be the advocate for them — but those are only a few in my
> family that I'm journeying with and a few in the community. How about
> those others in the province who don't have anyone to talk to, anyone
> to express their frustration, their difficulty to navigate the
> system?"
> ABOUT THE AUTHOR
> Vanessa Blanch
>
> Reporter
>
> Vanessa Blanch is a reporter based in Moncton. She has worked across
> the country for CBC for more than 20 years. If you have story ideas to
> share please email: vanessa.blanch@cbc.ca
>
> CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
>
>
>
> 30 Comments
> .Commenting is now closed for this story.
>
>
>
> David Amos
> Content deactivated
> Hmmm
>
> David Amos
> Content deactivated
> Guess who I just talked to
>
>
>
>
>
> Jim .Jackson
> This government likes to bandy about the term "mental health" when it
> provides them with a justification for keeping schools open (and the
> economy rolling) during a pandemic. It is a hollow reference to a
> serious matter when used to justify political decisions. Especially
> when we see no serious effort to address the concerns of those who
> suffer from mental illness in real terms.
>
> David Amos
> Content deactivated
> Reply to @.Jim .Jackson: I ran for public office 7 times despite the
> fact that Higgy et al call me crazy and they send me butter tarts
>
> David Amos
> Content deactivated
> Reply to David Amos: Figures
>
>
>
>
> Alex Butt
> Proof positive that the government (all parties) are all talk and very
> little action. Unless it adds to the bottom line or appeases the wants
> of the likes of the irvings, we get prettty much nothing for our
> representation and tax dollar. Just look at the condition of our
> health care, schools, infrastructure, roads and the list goes on an
> on.
>
> David Amos
> Content deactivated
> Reply to @Alex Butt: Methinks when apathy rules the day we get the
> governments we deserve N'esy Pas?
>
> David Amos
> Content deactivated
> Reply to @David Amos: The truth hurts EH?
>
>
>
>
> Sarah Brown
> our mental health system is in sad shape and has been sorely neglected
> with the onset of COVID almost 2 years ago. the minister of health is
> in over her head on this file as well as many other health related
> files and she does not have the confidence of many people. Sad state
> of affairs in this province on many fronts.
>
> Maxime Babineau
> Reply to @Sarah Brown: Can't imagine why people don't have confidence in
> her.
>
> David Amos
> Reply to @Sarah Brown: Yup
>
>
>
>
> Derek Grant
> They are of the belief that it's too much of a $$$$ sinking ship -
> once people go past the tipping point.
>
> David Amos
> Reply to @Derek Grant: Who is they?
>
>
>
>
>
> Graeme Scott
> Mental healthcare has always been the red headed stepchild of our
> healthcare system. Sadly, given deteriorating conditions and the near
> breakdown of "regular" healthcare in recent years it is hard to
> imagine that situation improving anytime soon.
>
> Ferdinand Boudreau
> Reply to @Graeme Scott: What has been done so far? Nothing I can see.
> Talk is cheap.
>
> Graeme Scott
> Reply to @Ferdinand Boudreau: Exactly!
>
> David Amos
> Reply to @Graeme Scott: Try bucking the system and see how fast they
> call you crazy and use the system to try to lock you up
>
>
>
>
>
> Johnny Lawrence
> Mental health is an issue that unfortunately gets overlooked way to
> often. You only need to come on these boards a time or 2 to see what
> happens when it is left unchecked.
>
> Alison Jackson
> Reply to @Johnny Lawrence: It's frightening to see it. But you also
> have to factor in social media's part of helping to push people to the
> edge. Paranoia, distrust of authority, wanting the entire world to
> share your personal views drives some to becoming unstable. If social
> media was gone, a lot of mental health issues would probably vanish
> with it.
>
> Johnny Lawrence
> Reply to @Alison Jackson: I certainly agree that social media is a
> huge part of the problem.
>
> Norman Albert Snr
> Reply to @Johnny Lawrence: Speaking from first party experience. WE
> have seen your post.
>
> Johnny Lawrence
> Reply to @Norman Albert Snr: don't you have some irrational union
> somewhere to support? I am sorry I spent time on here humiliating them
> and their greedy efforts and those like you who blindly supported
> them.
>
> David Amos
> Content deactivated
> Reply to @Norman Albert Snr: LMAO
>
>
>
>
>
> David Peters
> Get gov't cronyism out of the medical treatment sector.
>
> David Amos
> Content deactivated
> Reply to @David Peters: Good luck with that
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Bill Henry
> Dot will add this to her resume. She would consider herself an expert
> here as well. Lol
>
> Johnny Lawrence
> Reply to @Bill Henry: she hasn't considered herself an expert on
> anything, she gets information from experts from her department and
> acts accordingly, you must be new to this process.
>
> David Amos
> Content deactivated
> Reply to @Johnny Lawrence: Obviously you ain't EH?
>
>
>
>
>
> Timothy Walton
> Proper mental health support would probably be cheaper than building
> even more jails.
>
> Donald Gallant
> Reply to @Timothy Walton:
> Please define proper mental health supports ?
> Who? What? Where ?
>
> David Amos
> Reply to @Donald Gallant: Social Workers, Assistance To The Needy,
> Everywhere
>
>
>
>
>
> Nicholas Murphy
> How about not taxing therapy sessions?
>
> David Amos
> Reply to @Nicholas Murphy: Dream on
>
>
>
> Blair Churchill
> No one from the Department of Health has responded - there is the
> priority. Throw money at symptoms, not the issues, thats their
> solution. But the government is good at dividing people and wasting
> money.
>
> David Amos
> Reply to @Blair Churchill: Bingo
>
>
>
> Charles Oliver
> Just a matter of appointing someone and its been 2 years . I would say
> they have no intention of helping. Thanks to Paul Oulette for trying
> to do something and appoint a mental health advocate, this is badly
> needed in New Brunswick. The Higgs government seems to feel the only
> thing worth doing in NB begins with Irving.
>
> David Amos
> Reply to @Charles Oliver: Surprise Surprise Surprise
>
>
>
> David Amos
> Hmmmm
>
> David Amos
> Reply to @David Amos: How can I offend myself???
>
Mental health advocate challenges province to make good on promise
Paul Ouellet calls failure to appoint a mental health advocate 2 years after motion passed 'unacceptable'
Paul Ouellet lobbied for years for New Brunswick to appoint a mental health advocate. He celebrated in November 2019 when a motion passed unanimously in the legislature to introduce the position, but nothing has happened since.
"To me that is unacceptable," he said. "That a motion voted unanimously over two years ago has not yet been actioned."
Introduced by the Liberals, the original 2019 motion called on the Progressive Conservative government to create an independent legislative officer position, to represent people with mental health issues and their caregivers.
When the Higgs government refused, the motion was amended to create a mental health advocate position, but that has never been budgeted for, nor acted upon.
- Province's 'neglect' leaves man on verge of breaking promise to sister with schizophrenia
- Advocate for mentally ill says shortage of home-care workers landed sister in hospital - twice
Ouellet has two siblings with schizophrenia, and he has helped to care for them for decades.
He has seen firsthand the difficulties that families like his face trying get patients the help they need.
Ouellet has fought for adequate home care for his sister on several occasions and has seen her spiral into psychosis requiring hospitalization when no care providers were available to help her manage her medication.
He now worries she will have to move into a special care home since the health system cannot provide what she needs.
"Mentally ill individuals don't have a voice," said Ouellet, a retired civil servant. "Those individuals in the community that I journey with, who suffer from mental illness, and I accompany them to the clinic and other appointments that they have, I so often see that they're not fully understood and they're not capable to speak for themselves."
Wish list for new year
In a letter to Health Minister Dorothy Shephard in October, Ouellet outlined his top priorities for the new year.
In addition to the appointment of a mental health advocate for New Brunswick, he asked that the mental health court that operates in Saint John be expanded to Fredericton, Bathurst, Edmundston, Miramichi and Moncton.
He is also calling for a mental health addiction treatment centre in Moncton that would be exclusively for women.
CBC News tried to ask Shephard why the province hasn't yet appointed a mental health advocate, and when someone will be appointed.
Health
Minister Dorothy Shephard introduced a plan to improve mental health
services in the province in 2021, but it did not include any mention of
the appointment of a mental health advocate. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
No one from the Department of Health has responded.
Ouellet has received a letter from Shephard in which she explained that work continues on multiple initiatives. He said her response was not what he was hoping for.
"I sometimes wonder if our high ranking officials in government are sensitized to mental illness. I ask myself that question because … it has been a need for years."
Ouellet is calling on Shephard and the Higgs government to finally appoint an advocate to represent the concerns of those who are all too often unable to get the help "they truly and deeply need."
"We definitely need an advocate position to be there for those most vulnerable in our province — the mentally ill. They need someone to be there to help them navigate the system, someone to be there to make sure their rights are respected, and that they're treated with dignity."
Mental health plan not enough
In February, Shephard laid out a five-year action plan to improve mental health services in the province.
It includes a promise for same-day service at walk-in clinics across New Brunswick, and a provincial youth centre based in Moncton by 2024.
It did not include any mention of appointing a mental health advocate.
Ouellet said that after decades of helping his sisters and brother and many others navigate the mental health care system, the plan simply does not go far enough.
Paul
Ouellet goes through the detailed files he keeps about the care of his
sister who suffers from severe schizophrenia. He has helped to care for
his siblings with mental illness for decades, and believes that without
his advocacy they would be dead. (Vanessa Blanch/CBC)
"If I would not have been journeying with them for the past 47 years, I don't think honestly that they would be alive today," he said of his siblings.
"I can be the advocate for them — but those are only a few in my family that I'm journeying with and a few in the community. How about those others in the province who don't have anyone to talk to, anyone to express their frustration, their difficulty to navigate the system?"
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Comments
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Stop treating NB like a company. People are suffering and dying because of it.