Yukon health minister grilled over lack of mental health strategy
Territorial government says money is going to counselling services, new treatment centre
The Yukon's minister of Health and Social Services came under fire in the Yukon Legislature Tuesday over the lack of a mental health strategy for the territory, despite one being promised in the past by Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski and former health minister Doug Graham.
Yukon is one of only two Canadian jurisdictions that doesn't have a strategy, Liberal leader Sandy Silver told the legislature Tuesday. He also pointed to a report prepared for Yukon last year that said there's a large gap in rural Yukon when it comes to addiction and mental health services.
"Not a single interview during this study was silent on the critical need for expansion and retooled mental health services. How does the government plan to address these shortcomings?" said Silver.
Health minister Mike Nixon said money is being spent on services for people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, a new alcohol and drug treatment centre and a new Salvation Army shelter, as well as community programming.
He said there's also money for Many Rivers to provide counselling services in Yukon communities.