Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, to know what was going on, basically. It was bizarre.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes. It took a couple of years to get an assessment. It was just having that medical care, a proper treatment plan, the right combo of medication, and an amazing psychiatrist.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I got lucky.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I just fell off the grid, but my stepdad, like I said, raised a stink. He went on The Bill Good Show a couple of times. He talked about it at conferences. He finally got a call saying that I could have an assessment now. It's just getting that assessment, and then the medication that comes with it.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'll talk about my story and how Cuystwi could have helped. I'll try to keep it short. Throughout years of addiction filled with loneliness and unhappiness, I learned that the health care system is ill-equipped in dealing with mental illness. Despite numerous suicide attempts, I did not receive a full and proper psychiatric assessment, even when it was court ordered.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'm Cassandra Blanchard. I am a program assistant with PHSA for aboriginal health, and I'm Northern Tutchone.