Quebec’s health ministry has reversed its decision and will now cover the cost of sending a West Island man to Ontario for specialized mental-health services. This comes after Global News uncovered that the only treatment available to him in the province was in French.
“It’s fantastic news, but it’s a bittersweet victory,” Sherry Brunet said. “I’m not celebrating just yet because Nicholas still remains at home and not receiving the care that he needs.”
Nick Gravel suffers from borderline personality disorder. He first spoke to Global News in mid-March after a suicide attempt left him hospitalized for close to two weeks in the intensive care unit at the Lakeshore General Hospital.
The 24-year-old’s request to attend a specialized treatment facility in Ontario was initially turned down by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). He was then sent to a French-speaking facility where he was eventually kicked out after it was discovered that he was seeking treatment elsewhere in English.
Gravel’s mother got an unexpected call this week to inform her that Quebec’s health minister had personally intervened and reversed RAMQ’s decision. But she was told the Ontario facility has a two- to four-week waiting list and her son is currently at home without adequate care.
“I just want him to get the help and it just doesn’t seem to be coming fast enough,” Brunet said. “Not a day that goes by that I’m not worried that my phone is gonna ring and it’s gonna be bad news.”
Health Minister Gaétan Barrette refused our request for an interview Wednesday but he did confirm that the government will pay for the private out-of-province treatment.
The facility in question released the following statement to Global News: “Homewood Health works with many provincial health authorities to secure immediate and expert treatment for Canadians. Due to the confidential nature of our business, we have a strict policy not to discuss any individual patient.”
“I think there should be more resources in Quebec because it’s been really difficult,” Gravel told Global News on March 16. “At least I have a support system, my mother’s been helping a lot, it means a lot.”
But his mother can’t help but think about the countless other English-speaking Quebecers who are unable to access mental-health services in the language of their choice.
“I’ve fought for my son but hopefully something will change in the system to help everyone else,” Brunet said.