Calls for Island Health to bolster its mental health supports for pediatric cancer patients
For a family, navigating a child’s cancer diagnosis is hard. It’s not only the physical challenges that will come with treatment, but the mental trauma that the family will need to work through during their cancer journey.
There are now calls to Island Health from families and stakeholders who have navigated that journey to bolster its mental health supports for pediatric cancer patients.
Two and a half years ago, at age 16, Brooke Chambers got news that turned her world upside down.
“I was diagnosed with leukaemia,” said Chambers.
She was rushed to BC Children’s Hospital to begin immediate treatment.
“When I was first diagnosed it was just survival mode,” she said.
After six weeks of treatment, she was able to return home to Sidney where she continued her treatment at Victoria General Hospital. That’s when her new reality began to set in.
“That’s probably when I struggled with my mental health the most,” said Chambers.
“Luckily for us, we were able to connect with a social worker at VGH pediatrics,” said Kim Bull, Brooke’s mother.
Through that social worker, Chambers’ mental health began to improve.
“I can’t even imagine how we would have gotten through it without him,” said Bull.
Last November, that social worker moved on and the position has not been filled.
Island Health does have a part-time psychologist working out of the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health with a patient load of 20 and a waitlist.
A pediatric psychiatry position was available on a consult basis in past years but according to families, that option no longer exists within Island Health.
Aaron and Elanor Franks’ two daughters Nora and Isla, were born with a rare hereditary disorder called Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. That makes them at high risk of developing a variety of cancers that can be very aggressive during childhood.
“They get screened quarterly,” said Aaron.
As well, once a year the family has to travel to BC Children’s Hospital where Nora and Isla have two days of testing involving an MRI and brain scans.
“It’s a rocky journey for sure,” said Elanor.
The girls deal with constant anxiety and that is taking a toll on their mental health.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to work with a social worker, a psychologist or a psychiatrist,” said Elanor. “Nobody has reached out to us.”
Elanor and Aaron say the family was told by front-line staff at Victoria General Hospital to reach out to the non-profit Island Kids Cancer Association because there is currently no one to connect with at Island Health in regards to pediatric mental health.
“Our mandate is to support all island families and their children facing a childhood cancer diagnosis,” said Susan Kerr, executive director of Island Kids Cancer Association.
A major component of that support is the non-profit’s Touch Stone Mental Health Program. That program offers children and families one on one counselling sessions throughout their cancer journey.
“It will be a drain, we’re seeing little bits and pieces right now,” said Kerr.
Island Kids Cancer is now beginning to feel the fallout of those unfilled mental health positions within Island Health.
“We weren’t created to fill the gaps of Island Health and nor do we have the capacity or the resources to do that,” said Kerr. “That is what we’re expected to do.”
In a statement to CTV News, Island Health says there is currently two days per week psychology and two days per week social worker support available at Victoria General Hospital for patients of ambulatory clinics.
The statement went on to say that an interim child and youth counsellor is being added to support this work and that Island Health is taking action with local, national and international recruitment campaigns focused on attracting staff to the region.
Island Health points out that a range of child or youth mental health supports are available from community-based providers, including through the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s Child Youth Mental Health services.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
What Trudeau's podcast appearances say about the Liberals' next ballot box question
Trudeau recently appeared on four podcasts as he travels the country talking up the Liberals' latest budget, which he's pitching as a plan to inject more economic fairness into society for those under 40 — a cohort that has kept Trudeau in power since 2015 but is increasingly turning to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Passage of harsh anti-2SLGBTQ+ law in Iraq draws diplomatic backlash
Human rights groups and diplomats criticized a law that was quietly passed by the Iraqi parliament over the weekend that would impose heavy prison sentences on gay and transgender people.