Grieving mother pushes for mental health walk-in clinics in N.S.
CBC
At Laureen Rushton's house in Belmont, just outside of Truro, N.S., the Christmas tree is lit and poinsettias are on display.
She's putting on a happy front because she says that's what her son, Lucas, would have wanted. Christmas was his favourite time of year.
The 18-year-old died in May from what his family believes was an accidental overdose of methyl hydrate.
"After those first few weeks of … waking up and realizing he wasn't here anymore, I decided that I needed to be his voice and we needed to fight for change," said Rushton.
According to his mother, Lucas Rushton struggled with his mental health. She said when he was in crisis they often would go to the ER in Truro or Halifax, only to be told there wasn't a mental health professional on duty after hours.
"When I asked them to keep him, they would send us home and say, 'No, they'll give you a call'," said Rushton.
"I'm still waiting for that phone call "
She estimates her son tried accessing mental health services at least 50 times over the last five years.
Nothing seemed to work, which is why Rushton is now pushing the province to open walk-in mental health clinics, separate from emergency departments.
"I think the medical professionals in the emergency rooms are great at fixing cuts and broken bones and wounds," Rushton said.
"They're just not equipped or trained to deal with mental health issues."
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Brian Comer said walk-in clinics aren't part of the provincial government's immediate plan, but he thinks there is "some value" to the idea.
"My goal is, as the minister, would be not only to increase access from a walk-in clinic perspective, but also to be able to offer services in a way where there would be appropriate followup within the community," said Comer.
He said a focus of the province's universal mental health pilot program is to increase overall access for Nova Scotians.
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