WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg mom who’s son was in and out of hospital before taking his own life wants the campaign to turn its attention to mental health.
Bonnie Bricker’s son, Reid, made three suicide attempts in 10 days back in October 2015 and was released from three different hospitals.
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“This hasn’t just happened to Reid,” Bricker said.
“It’s an ongoing process, it’s an ongoing pain, it’s an ongoing problem. They need to change their game plan.”
The discharge procedures are being debated at a mental health forum by candidates from all three parties.
According to the Mood Disorders Association over 300,000 Manitobans suffer from some form of mental illness. The organization said with such a high number of cases, there needs to be more resources and as well as a future plan from the government.
“If we can increase services then we can decrease the cost to the taxpayer because we can help people where it becomes too major of an issue, and that’s where our organization has a strength,” Tara Brousseau from the Mood Disorders Association said.
Brousseau adds that their services are offered at no cost, and the organization wants to continue helping Manitobans as best they can, as the issue of mental health in the province continues to grow.
“We help through peer support, so it’s people with lived experience,” Brousseau said. “We also offer support groups.”
The forum is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Berney Theatre.