New Brunswick Green Party Leader David Coon is criticizing the under funding of mental health resources in the province.
In honour of World Mental Health Day, Coon is pushing the provincial government to pay more attention to needed mental health services.
He says in New Brunswick, mental health resources are funded at less than 5% of the provincial budget, compared to the national average of 7%.
Coon says it’s no surprise the mental health system is failing so many New Brunswickers, especially youth.
Studies from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health show 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness, but only 1 in 5 gain access to the treatment they need.
Coon says there is some positive news with the announced expansion of the child and youh teams that provide integrated support and resources for public schools.
