Amanda Lathlin, a member of  The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba(who represent The Pas), was able to present a Private Members Resolution into the house calling upon the provincial government to provide psychiatric assessments closer to home.

 

Lathlin said The mental health supports that are available across Northern  Manitoba are not sufficient. Access to psychiatric assessments has been far from universal, and because of this, children living in remote areas with mental health conditions go undiagnosed which can create a downfall in the child’s development.

 

Leading to poor grades and attendance in school,  the fear of being putting in the foster system, unemployment, financial problems for the family, troubles with law enforcement, self-harm, or sadly worse, suicide.

 

The best psychiatric assessments are only available in cities like Brandon and Winnipeg; making it impossible for families and children the help they need living in rural/remote areas.

 

Lathlin said she knows firsthand the outcomes of the lack of support, these force families into placing their loved ones in the care of the RCMP to receive medical and psychiatric assessment which is often involuntary on the part of the patient.

 

This issue has not been resolved yet in the house, as time expired on the day that I introduced it. The resolution garnered support when first introduced, and Lathlin will continue to fight for greater access to all forms of healthcare in the north.

 

If you have questions or concerns that you would like to speak to her about, please do not hesitate to reach out by email or phone:

 

amanda.lathlin@yourmanitoba.ca

 

1(204) 623-2034.