The NDP MHA for Torngat Mountains wants answers about why some people in her district can’t get access to a diagnosis of a treatment for psychosis.
Lela Evans first raised the issue in the House of Assembly earlier this week.
She says “people are falling through the cracks.”
As an example, she says she had parents with an adult son reach out to her because he started to develop signs of psychosis – such as hearing voices.
Evans says they told her about their son trying to stab them, chasing them, and threatening neighbours. They brought him to the emergency room but nothing was done.
According to Evans, the parents were told by police that they would not be responding anymore unless charges were laid.
She says the parents did lay charges. Their son spent 10 days in the Labrador correctional facility and received no treatment or diagnosis before being released. She says the couple were “in tears” about what they did.
After Evans’ questions in the House, Health Minister Tom Osborne says he reached out to the COO of Lab-Grenfell Health. He says there are psychiatrists in the region, wait lists are not lengthy, and services are available once diagnosed.
He says anyone who may have fallen through the cracks should reach out to the COO of Lab-Grenfell Health, or the Department of Health.