Yukon health minister grilled over lack of mental health strategy

The Yukon's minister of Health and Social Services came under fire in the Yukon Legislature Tuesday over the lack of a mental health strategy for the territory, despite one being promised in the pastbyYukon PremierDarrellPasloski and former health minister Doug Graham.

Yukon is one of only two Canadian jurisdictions that doesn't have a strategy, Liberal leaderSandy Silver told the legislature Tuesday.He alsopointed to a report prepared for Yukon last year that saidthere's a large gap in rural Yukon when it comes to addiction and mental health services.

"Not a single interview during this study was silent on the critical need for expansion and retooled mental health services. How does the government plan to address these shortcomings?" said Silver.

Health minister Mike Nixon saidmoney is being spent on services for people with FetalAlcohol SpectrumDisorder,a new alcohol and drug treatment centreand a new Salvation Army shelter, as well as community programming.

He saidthere's also money for Many Rivers to provide counsellingservices in Yukoncommunities.