The Saskatchewan NDP says the lack of child psychiatrists and psychiatric beds in Prince Albert has a significant negative impact on families in the north and the rest f the province.
Mental Health and Addictions Critic, Danielle Chartier, explains that there are no working child psychiatrists in that city, which means the Prince Albert Child and Youth Mental Health Inpatient Unit had to close.
Chartier says the shortage of child psychiatrists is not a new issue.
In 2017, the wait time to see one in Saskatoon was 2 years.
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Saskatchewan’s mental health hospitalization rate for children and youth is the second highest of all the province, while at the same time, is tied for last place for the number of psychiatrists treating children and youth.
The NDP is calling on the government to address this situation.