Parents call for mental health changes
Minister commits to reviewing department's handling of the Timothy Henderson case
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, May 8, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Timothy Henderson's grieving parents have been left wondering how many times a person has to reach out for help before being taken seriously by the health-care system.
Timothy Henderson died in an Edmonton hospital on April 26 after life support was withdrawn. - photo courtesy of James MacKenzie
Ian Henderson, left, Connie Boraski and James Boraski say the territorial health system failed to address Timothy Henderson's attempts to seek mental care. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo |
Henderson, 19, died after life support was withdrawn in Edmonton on April 26.
He had sought help from medical systems in both the south and the North yet his parents said he felt dismissed and invalidated.
"He felt like they didn't believe him, that he was making it up," his mother Connie Boraski told Yellowknifer on Wednesday alongside her husband James Boraski and Timothy's father Ian Henderson.
"I could feel the hopelessness in him. I said, 'Don't give up, don't give up.'"
They say they're not seeking vengeance or retribution but want to highlight what their family experienced in hopes of prompting changes.
"People need to be taken seriously," Connie said.
"How often does a child's call for help have to be ignored?" James asked.
A review of the case will take place, said Glen Abernethy, minister of Health and Social Services.
"There are a number of supports here in the Northwest Territories, but from time to time, as in the recent case, they don't always meet the needs of the individual," he said.
His parents don't believe Timothy meant to end his life last month when acting out a "suicide scenario" in Yellowknife. The accident left him brain dead. He was taken to Edmonton so his organs could be donated after life support was withdrawn.
A musician, poetry writer and actor, Ian said Timothy had drafted a set-list for an open mic show at Javaroma.
He had cleaned out a studio space at Ian's home and was preparing for the summer.
"He had plans which were really indicative to us as parents that here is a kid that's really thinking about his future and not thinking about his end," James said.
Diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder at seven years old, he had received support services while in the Catholic school system.
The transition to university in Edmonton saw that support fall away. His parents said the move left him confused about how to get help.
"He felt he would be a burden if he asked for help," James said.
Timothy admitted himself to Stanton Territorial Hospital at least four times - and at least once since his return to Yellowknife in March. The final time he made it clear he was considering self-harm.
His parents said he had escalated through self-harm techniques, including an attempt while in hospital.
He was under suicide watch and the Boraskis, living in Thunder Bay, Ont., were promised calls from caregivers at Stanton.
The call never came and they subsequently learned he had been released.
He once told a friend via Facebook that "they let me out early."
His parents said there were people in the health system who were very helpful and caring, but overall Timothy encountered a system overworked and understaffed.
"He sought help at the highest levels and felt dismissed and discouraged and felt that there was no hope ... he turned to his friends for counselling as we would," James said.
He had stayed up late many nights talking to people over the Internet.
"I want to honour those folks for keeping him going over the years and giving him hope and the time we may not have otherwise had with him," James said.
Often he'd be treated by a different doctor who was only at the hospital temporarily, known as a locum. His medical file wouldn't be handed off to the next person who saw him, they said. It meant that each time he had to essentially start from scratch when seeking help. Abernethy acknowledged personnel turnover is a problem.
"That doesn't give the continuity that our residents want and we struggle with it," Abernethy said.
The minister of health revealed the plans for a review while answering media questions yesterday after the launch of a music video promoting mental health awareness at the legislative assembly.
"The Timothy situation is tragic, I feel for the family," Abernethy said.
"It's absolutely devastating and we are going to do the file review which we know - we believe - will help us identify gaps that may exist so we can close those gaps so we don't have that type of situation again or at least we eliminate as many possibilities of it happening again and give people the tools they need."
Because the review's terms of reference haven't been set yet, the minister couldn't say how long a review could take or whether the family will be involved.
While they want to talk about the system failing to take care of their son, the parents said they are concerned highlighting the issues will mean people in similar positions will be left feeling more hopeless.
They've heard from other parents and youth in the territory who have found themselves in similar positions.
They hope by speaking out those people can get the help they need.
The NWT Help Line is available 24/7 at 1-800-661-0844 for those who need support.
