Cape Breton mother wants mental health inquiry after son's death

A Nova Scotia woman is joining the Progressive Conservative Party's call for an inquiry into the province's mental health services.

Fran Morrison of Port Caledonia, Cape Breton,lost her 21-year-old son Eric Morrison to suicide five years ago.

Since then, she has been calling for an inquiry into how he was treated when he sought medical help in the days before his death.

Now, she's adding her signature to a petition recently launched byPC leader Jamie Baillie for a full inquiry into the entire system and is encouraging others to do the same.

Health Minister Leo Glavine has already rejected the idea of an inquiry.

Morrison believes that's because hehas no first-hand experience with the system.

"What he doesn't realize, because he's probably never had to use [thoseservices],is weare not getting the services for mental health that we are paying for through our taxes," she said.

Morrison said an inquiry would shed light on deficiencies and that groups such as the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia and Eating Disorders Nova Scotia also believe a thorough review is needed.

Morrison said herson was failed by the system when he was in crisis.

He committed suicide shortly after seeking help at the Queen Elizabeth Health IISciences Centre in Halifax.

"When a person cries out for help and they goto a crisis centre and they are sent home with a sleeping pill and there is very little follow-up," she said, "that tells me there is a super problem in the system."