The mother of a Moncton teen who died by suicide held a public rally Tuesday, a year to the day that it happened.
Kerri Matthews spoke before a small crowd in Moncton’s Bore Park and told the story of her 19-year-old son, Kingsley, who died on June 20, 2016.
Matthews told Global News last month she wanted to see drastic changes in how people can access mental health support in New Brunswick and how the province would deal with the long wait times to access mental health support counselling.
READ MORE: Mother of suicide victim calling for improved wait times for mental health support in N.B.
On Tuesday, she reiterated her concerns and the need for governmental change in the area of mental health support.
“What I’m hoping for is to raise awareness of the situation of our mental health care system. It is in dire need of a makeover, if you will,” Matthews said.
She said there’s not enough doctors or facilities, and as far as she’s aware of, mental health help is only accessible at the hospital.
Kingsley suffered from mental illness and drug addiction and had been trying to get help.
After several trips back and forth to hospitals in Moncton, he was put on a waiting list to get counselling. But six months later, still without help, he committed suicide.
More than a month after she told her and her son’s story to Global News, Matthews said she’s received feedback from across the province.
“I have gotten all kind of feedback, all kinds of support and love and then I’ve gotten some really sad stories of similar experiences,” she said.
“It’s not just my son Kingsley.”
The rally on Tuesday, she said, was held to remember her son but also to speak out.
In early May, the province announced their Enhanced Action Plan on Addictions and Mental Health, saying it would take a proactive approach to improving mental health services.
READ MORE: These 3 groups are at ‘high risk’ of mental health issues in Canada. Here’s why
But at the time, Green Party Leader David Coon said the family plan did not deal with wait times.
Matthews said she wants government officials, not just at the provincial level but at the federal level, to ask the public what needs to be done to make the changes.
“I want people to talk, I want a resolve, I want everyone to come together,” Matthews said. “I want people, if they don’t want to stand with me or beside me so much on camera or in public for what I’m doing, I will speak for them, I will tell their story for them.”
Where to get help
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources are available. In case of an emergency, please call 911 for immediate help.
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Depression Hurts and Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 all offer ways of getting help if you, or someone you know, may be suffering from mental health issues.
—With files from Shelley Steeves, Global News