Demonstrators protest cut backs to mental health program at IWK
Posted Mar 21, 2012 03:12:33 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
There was a large demonstration of people, balloons and picket signs outside of the IWK Health Centre Wednesday afternoon. They were there to protest layoffs and cut backs to the hospital’s Adolescent Centre for Treatment and Compass treatment program for mental health patients.
The program currently provides 24 hour care for mentally ill kids. But, at the end of March, the program’s being scaled back, and will only be offered on a Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 basis.
Bev Mullin, whose son receives care, says the program is crucial.
“I’m not sure what we’re going to do at this point in time without those staff,” she says. “My son, this is really affecting his level of anxiety. He’s taking this very hard.”
Kelly Hovey, 15, has been part of the program for two months and shared her story at the rally Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m suicidal, (I suffer from) depression, anxiety, mood disorder, anger issues,” she says. “(Staff members) have helped so much. If they take them away from us, then I’m going to be the old me that I don’t want to be.”
The 22 members facing lay-offs at the end of March are unionized members of the NSGEU.
“These kids need the services, and they’re pre-occupied now because they know that the staff that they rely on to give them quality of life, to help them get well to move on, are now in jeopardy,” says NSGEU President Joan Jessome. “This is no good for anybody. These decisions need to be reversed.”
