N.B. youth need free mental health care, says judge

A New Brunswick judge says a non-profit centre in Riverview is offering the kind of mental health services the provincial government should be providing.

Justice Michael McKee attended the grand opening of The Atlantic Wellness Community Center Wednesday night. The non-profit mental health centre offers free counselling without a waiting list for youth aged 12 to 21.

McKee, who authored a report in 2009 calling for an overhaul of mental health services in New Brunswick, said he's encouraged by the centre's initiative and wants the province to provide similar care.

"It's a recognition obviously of the need for those kinds of services in terms of dealing with young people and trying to diagnose the problems at a very early stage so that they can be treated very early in their illness," he said.

McKee is calling for more training in the justice and education systems so staff can better recognize young people struggling with mental illness.

The judge joins Bernard Richard, the former Child and Youth Advocate for New Brunswick, who says the centre illustrates the need for more youth mental health services in New Brunswick.

"We have miles to travel, but we've come a long way," said McKee.