New Brunswick needs to take immediate action to address the youth mental health crisis in First Nations communities, according to the province’s child and youth advocate.
Kelly Lamrock released a new monitoring report on Monday addressing recommendations that were made in a 2021 report entitled No Child Left Behind.
That report included 13 calls to action aimed at addressing challenges faced by Indigenous children and youth and shortcomings in mental health services.
“The progress of government departments to implement the recommendations has been, at best, lacklustre,” Lamrock wrote in his monitoring report.
There were 20 monitorable recommendations in the initial report, none of which are considered “fully implemented” or “significantly implemented.”
Eight of the recommendations are listed as “somewhat implemented” while no action has been taken on the remaining 12, according to Lamrock.
The advocate said one of the most “striking” observations has been the lack of urgency when it comes to implementing the recommendations.
“If the rates of suicide and mental health challenges we see in First Nations communities were mirrored in any other region or population, there would be an immediate outcry. Instead, there has been silence. This silence must end,” said Lamrock.
The child and youth advocate cited “significant failures” in collaboration, accountability and targeted action, including:
- Lack of recognition of the need for a distinct approach and process for reducing rates of youth suicide and mental health emergencies in First Nations communities.
- Delays in the formation of basic committees and implementation of training recommendations.
- A lack of transparency in how federal funds for First Nations mental health are allocated and used.
- Minimal integration of First Nations governments in mental health decision-making processes, undermining their knowledge of their communities and their status as rights-holders.
- A continued reliance on unscalable pilot projects without clear indicators of success or plans for expansion.
“At a basic level, the province of New Brunswick has not accepted that the depth and causes of the crisis and that First Nations mental health among young people requires a distinct strategy,” said Lamrock.
Lamrock said unique challenges facing First Nations youth require dedicated funding and a process that empowers First Nations governments to lead.
His monitoring report offers a number of recommendations to “reignite” progress, which include:
- Establishing a dedicated line item in the 2025-26 provincial budget for First Nations mental health.
- Setting clear key performance indicators for mental health initiatives that are core-funded and scalable, targeting First Nations youth.
- Engaging in good-faith negotiations with First Nations governments to create a bilateral process for managing mental health funds.
- Expanding successful pilot projects with measurable outcomes and timelines.
“New Brunswick can do better. We have seen success in areas like education through trilateral agreements that dedicate funds and share decision-making with First Nations governments. This approach should be applied to youth mental health.”
