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
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
BREAKING Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, claims he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have told the court the accused unlawfully caused the death of four women, but argue he is not criminally responsible due to mental disorder.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Human remains were found at a former Hitler base, but decay prevents determining the cause of death
Polish prosecutors have discontinued an investigation into human skeletons found at a site where German dictator Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders spent time during the Second World War because the advanced state of decay made it impossible to determine the cause of death, a spokesman said Monday.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial fined him US$1,000 on Monday for violating his gag order once again and sternly warned the former president that additional violations could result in jail time.