Manitoba’s only long-term treatment centre for teens with addiction and mental health issues said it’s shutting its doors. The Executive Director said it’s all because the money has run out.
“We cannot sustain the deficit we will incur this year,” said Executive Director Jean Doucha.
The centre, that helps as many as 80 kids per year who struggle with alcohol, drugs, or mental health problems, runs largely on government funding. But, Doucha said the Behavioural Health Foundation will have to close its girls facility on June 3 in St. Norbert and the boys facility in Selkirk on June 25.
Ten of the beds in the centre are paid for by Manitoba Health, the remaining 22 beds are funded through referrals by social workers with the money coming from Child and Family Services. But, lately those referrals haven’t been coming in. Jean Doucha believes it’s government red tape that is to blame for that.
The problem is if a bed is empty, the centre does not get the money from CFS. But, that money is needed regardless, to upkeep staff.
What Doucha said she wants to see now from the province is a system where funding levels would be consistent every year.
The province said it is aware of the challenges and is working with the Behavioural Health Foundation to consider all options.