The leader of the People’s Alliance of New Brunswick thinks $7 million for the addictions and mental health sector is a “good start.”
Speaking to reporters following the budget announcement on Tuesday, Kris Austin said it’s important that government start to address it.
“It’s a shame that it took the death of Lexi [Daken], this young girl, to raise it to this level where we get the impression that government is starting to move in the direction of taking it seriously,” Austin said.
Austin said he thinks the virtual care model should be expanded as it relates to mental health as a way to help those waiting for help.
Austin said he met with the president of E-Visit NB and heard of the success of virtual and the potential it holds.
“It’s is concerning that it seems to be a footnote in a lot of the health care delivery especially when we’re in the process of health care reform. Virtual care shouldn’t be a footnote. It should be a big part of delivering health care in New Brunswick especially as it relates to mental health,” Austin said.
He adds the virtual care model could ease the backlog because health professionals in New Brunswick and elsewhere can be assisting with mental health issues.
