N.B. mental health activist says it is insulting that the province hasn’t appointed a mental health advocate

Moncton, NB –

A longtime New Brunswick mental health activist says it’s an insult that the state has not appointed a mental health advocate, even though Congress unanimously approved the position more than three years ago. .

Paul Ouellet has been navigating the mental health system with New Brunswickers for decades.He says life is getting harder each year for residents battling mental illness.

Ouellet said he cried tears of joy when Congress unanimously approved a motion in 2019 to appoint a government voice for residents struggling with mental illness.

The 72-year-old was asked by the state to prepare a job description for the role, which he did in January 2020 and submitted to the government.

However, the job remained vacant, and Ouellet says even his offer to fill the role as a volunteer was turned down.

The state did not immediately return requests for comment.

This report by the Canadian Press was first published on February 21, 2023.

This article was produced with financial support from the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.