Young Quebecers who give care at home will get help from new support team
According to experts, one in five teens and young adults under 30 has to care for a parent or close relative who suffers from mental health issues.
It's an exhausting responsibility for people like Patricia Grammond.
"It was a lot of love to give. A lack of energy, and a lot of culpability," said Grammond, who has spent her life looking after a relative.
In an effort to ease the pressure, Quebec will finance an existing organization that already supports caregivers.
They're called Reseau Avant de Craquer (the 'Before-you-Collapse' Network), which until now, was geared towards supporting caregivers committed to the elderly.
This new initiative is specifically aimed at youth.
"First of all, recognize these youths with a problem, we want to accompany them through the process," said Quebec junior health minister Lionel Carmant.
A total of 35 mental health professionals will be hired with the specific goal of reaching out to teenagers and young adults who face the responsibility of caring for a parent or friend who suffers from mental health.
The outreach workers will have a background in specialized education, psychotherapy and social work says the program's director Rene Cloutier.
"Thousands of young caregivers in Quebec need to be identified and supported so that they can live their life as young people as best as possible and preserve their own mental health," said Cloutier.
They will make sure the caregivers won't burn out or fall into depression themselves.
"I want the professional and the persons giving help to [caregiver] to really help them" said Grammond, who says such a relief program would have made a huge difference in her life.
Carmant admitted it won't make up for the shortage of psychiatric care in the province, but said the program will at least offer resources to some.
"Waiting lists have decreased from 28,000 to 20,000, we have hired 500 mental health professionals but obviously there's been an increase in the number of demand due to the pandemic, by about 40 per cent," he said.
The project has $7.5 million in funding over five years from Quebec. Another $1.7 million from the Support for Relatives organization will also be provided to carry out the initiative.
If the program works out, Carmant said it will be expanded across Quebec.
- With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.