Review of teen's death underway
Committee to examine records, conduct interviews on handling of Timothy Henderson's case but report will remain secret
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, July 3, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A Nova Scotia youth mental health expert will lead the review of how Timothy Henderson was treated by the health system prior to his death this year, but the report will never be seen by the public or the teen's parents.
Ian Henderson, Connie Boraski and James Boraski say the territorial health system failed to address Timothy Henderson's attempts to seek mental care. - NNSL file photo |
Henderson's parents Ian Henderson, Connie Boraski and Timothy's stepfather, James Boraski went public with concerns about how the 19-year-old was treated by the mental health system earlier this year.
They told Yellowknifer the teen felt dismissed when he sought treatment and admitted to suicidal thoughts and actions. He had attempted to harm himself while in the hospital and had admitted himself to Stanton Territorial Hospital at least four times. The final time he made it clear he was considering self-harm.
His parents don't believe Timothy meant to end his life when acting out a "suicide scenario" in Yellowknife.
He died after life support was withdrawn in an Edmonton hospital on April 26.
"They didn't take that as a serious threat, they released him and a few days later we're without a son," James Boraski said. From the beginning they have said they've made their son's story public in hopes of preventing a similar tragedy in the future.
"We're pleased that the review is underway," he said, acting as the spokesperson for the parents from Thunder Bay, Ont., on Wednesday. The review officially began June 15. Boraski said so far they've yet to hear about an interview with the committee.
Psychiatrist Stanley Kutcher has been hired to lead a three-person committee asked to deliver a written report Oct. 1 to the minister of Health and
Social Services.
"He's got a heck of a resume," Health Minister Glen Abernethy said Tuesday, adding since Kutcher's from outside the territory he'll be able to objectively assess what happened.
Kutcher's work saw him appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia last year. He'll be paid for his work by the GNWT, though the minister did not know the amount off hand. He will also be able to expense travel for the review.
The other members are two health department employees - director of territorial health services Kimberly Riles and manager of primary community and acute care services Yves Panneton.
The minister said they've been selected because of their years of experience with the health sector and taking part in previous "quality assurance" reviews.
The committee will have access to Henderson's medical records, conduct interviews with staff members he interacted with and has been asked to interview his parents according to the committee's terms of reference released June 24.
The parents have sent the minister a four-page letter with a series of questions about the review and the proposed Mental Health Act, introduced this spring. After a week, they've yet to hear a response.
The public won't get to see anything the committee uncovers. Neither will the family. That's something James learned about the review during an interview Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Abernethy said the report and any potential recommendations cannot be released under provisions of the Evidence Act and said the same law would prevent the release of the report to Henderson's parents.
Abernethy said that once the report is received the department would develop an action plan which will be made public.
"This is all about improving the system," Abernethy said, adding the review will assess youth access to the system in general.
But it doesn't sit well with Boraski.
"We're all going to be contributing to this," he said. "How will anyone know other than the minister ... what flows from that review?
"How will they know what was recommended in terms of changes that may influence legislative changes at some future point?
"It seems a bit secretive. We're opening up our hearts and minds in terms of what happened to our son to try to make something better for the community and the residents of the Northwest Territories."
