New Brunswick’s child and youth advocate says he’s cautiously optimistic after the province announced it’s five-year plan to tackle mental health and addictions in the province.

A Provincial Treatment Centre

Earlier this week, the province announced a provincial treatment centre for youth would be open by 2024. Child and youth advocate Norm Bosse said he was happy to see the plan released but hopes the treatment centre can open sooner.

Moving Towards a Network of Excellence

The new centre in Moncton has been trumpeted as a centre of excellence for youth mental health and addictions services. But Bosse said treating youth mental health and addiction issues can’t stop at the centre of excellence. A network of excellence is needed, he said.

He cited Saint John’s Access Open Minds Site (P.E.E.R. SJ) as an example and said treating youth in their own communities is key to getting them better, faster. The ACCESS Open Minds site in Saint John is one of three sites in New Brunswick.

“It’s what we call treating the situation at the right place at the right time and not waiting for months and months to get in to see either psychologists or psychiatrists. Those are what make a difference sometimes so that the situations of mental health don’t escalate to the point where they need tertiary care”

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