Immediate changes required regarding involuntary detentions for youth under Mental Health Act: FNLC

THE First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) said on Tuesday that it is shocked and disturbed by the findings released by the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) in her most recent report “DetainedRights of children and youth under the Mental Health Act,” and called upon the provincial government to take immediate urgent action to ensure a comprehensive, community-based, and culturally safe system of care and legislative regime for children and youth requiring mental health services.

The RCY’s report found that the use of involuntary detentions for youth under the Mental Health Act rose by 162% over a nine-year period, while adult detentions have consistently decreased over the same period of time. Availability of rights information and enforcement mechanisms for youth who are detained was found to be limited, if at all, and there were severe gaps in oversight and regulations to guide the use of restraint and confinement measures.

“To see the number of youth detained under the Mental Health Act increase by 162%, while at the same time having more than 2,500 of them waitlisted for community-based services is completely unacceptable,” said Cheryl Casimer of the First Nations Summit Political Executive. “These statistics unfortunately are indicative of a system that is consistently failing our young people – creating a mental health crisis rather than resourcing a system of holistic wraparound care and early intervention. A drop in the bucket funding-wise is not enough. We demand an immediate redirection of resources to see young people supported by a community-based, and voluntary system of wellness and expect to see this reflected in the next budget.”

“I have significant concerns around the lack of data regarding the exact number of First Nations youth who are being involuntarily detained under this Act, especially with the Ministry of Health indicating they are disproportionately represented, and the blatant human rights violations that are being imposed upon these young people through the removal of their freedom and basic liberties,” stated Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “Immediate action to align this dated legislation with the Declaration Act on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples must be undertaken, including provisions that ensure Indigenous communities are notified and involved in planning for our youth members and distinctions-based data regarding the number of involuntary admissions under the Mental Health Act.”

“Less than two months ago, former RCY Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond released her report “In Plain Sight,” which looked at discrimination against Indigenous peoples in the healthcare system. Through her findings, we have clear evidence of a racist system that does not work for our people,” stated Regional Chief Terry Teegee of the BC Assembly of First Nations. “We once again call upon the provincial government to immediate implement all recommendations included in her report, and to work closely with First Nations in considering the recommendations put forward by this current RCY report, ensuring that any legislative and systemic reforms to the Mental Health Act are aligned with the Declaration Act priorities and directed by First Nations.”