Community psychiatrist speaks to failures in care for remote communities
From the deadly school shooting in La Loche, Sask., to states of emergency in Pimicikamak, Man., and Attawapiskat in Northern Ontario — too many times already this year, crisis situations in First Nations communities have resulted in tragedy.
The Current's guest, Dr. Elena Shurshilova, is one of the few people who continue to work to improve these communities long after the crises fade from the daily news.
Dr. Elena Shurshilova frames a discussion about care in these communities around one particular patient urgently referred to her attention. She describes treatment toward a 16-year-old with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder at a Peterborough hospital, and argues this incident is a product of failing to provide Aboriginal youth with mental health needs the help they deserve.
Dr. Elena Shurshilova says funding community-led mental health programmes is the first step to preventing future crises and combating high suicide rates among Aboriginal youths.
- Dr. Elena Shurshilova, is a psychiatrist based out of Ottawa
This segment was produced by The Current's Pacinthe Mattar