Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, family claim adolescent treatment centre systemically failed child

The family of a Norway House Cree Nation girl alleges a Manitoba youth treatment centre systemically failed to provide adequate care for her during a mental health crisis, prompting leaders to demand more accountability and oversight. 

The girl, who was 13 at the time, experienced a psychotic episode in Norway House and was medevaced to Winnipeg in April where she was admitted to the Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre for six months, said her aunt, who CBC is not naming in order to protect the teen's identity.

The girl, now 14, was discharged from the centre and has continued to experience symptoms of psychosis and suicidal ideation, the aunt said during a news conference at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs office in Winnipeg on Wednesday. 

"Without a clear diagnosis or treatment plan and only infrequent virtual check-ins, she has been left to suffer without relief. Meanwhile our family has been forced to take on the role of caregivers without any support," the aunt said. 

Instead of receiving in-person support, the teen was sent back to her community, located approximately 459 kilometres from Winnipeg, where there are limited mental health services available, she said. 

"This level of care is completely inadequate for someone in crisis and does not allow for proper assessment or intervention."

The experience also added stress to the girl's mother, who relocated to Winnipeg to be with her daughter. 

The aunt said the teen has a monthly virtual phone call with a psychiatrist and weekly online sessions with a therapist, but the family wants a second medical opinion from a health-care provider outside the province on how best to support their loved one. 

Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara told CBC that the provincial government has been in touch with the family and is working to provide the teen the support she needs.

"This is a situation that nobody wants to see, right? We never want to hear that a youth didn't have their needs met. And we recognize that accountability must be a part of the conversation," Asagwara said.

"It's so important that Manitobans know that the services that they want to access are accountable to them."

Asagwara says they are aware that disparities exist in accessing care, particular in rural and northern parts of the province, but called those shortcomings unacceptable.

"We take those concerns very seriously and we also recognize there's work to do. There's a lot of work to do to address systemic inequities to ensure that no matter where youth live, that they're able to get the mental health care that they deserve.

CBC has reached out to Shared Health, which oversees the Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre that provides mental health services to children and youth in Winnipeg.

Cracks in the system

Councillors from Norway House Cree Nation and Grand Chief Kyra Wilson of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs also spoke at the news conference to support the family. 

"MATC has not only failed this family, but we believe there are more families that are falling through the cracks within this system that we see within our region when we talk about mental health supports for our children and youth," Wilson said. 

Wilson said First Nations will no longer accept a "one-size-fits-all approach" that disregards their knowledge, traditions and cultural values. 

She is calling for independent oversight at the treatment centre and wants an investigation of their operations and funding. Wilson is also demanding immediate referrals and funding for youth seeking medical care outside the province if the treatment or services can't be provided in Manitoba.  

There also needs to be mental health supports available to youth in First Nations communities that is sustainable and led by Indigenous leadership in that area, Wilson said.  

The family is speaking out about their loved one's experience to raise awareness and advocate for other families who may have similar experiences at the treatment centre. Wilson encourages any families who have had issues with the centre to come forward so the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs can provide further assistance. 

"First Nations families have historically been ignored, dismissed and pushed aside when advocating for their loved one's health. Our relatives have faced bureaucratic obstacles at every turn, delays, refusals and a complete lack of meaningful communication," councillor Edward Albert said. 

He wants to know who is responsible for the oversight of the treatment centre and demanded a response from the provincial government. 

Councillor Deon Clarke echoed the calls for action and said he's interested in working more closely with the Manitoba government on ways to improve mental health services in First Nations communities. 

Too often mental illness is misunderstood and overlooked, which can lead to the feeling of isolation, Clarke said. 

"Our children deserve to be safe in the very institutions that are meant to protect them," he said.