Alberta's Child Advocate Del Graff (Photo: The Canadian Press)

By The Canadian Press

ALBERTA'S CHILD ADVOCATE

Alberta’s child advocate says more needs to be done about youth suicide

Sep 24, 2019 | 4:55 PM

Alberta’s child advocate says the provincial government should do more to understand the causes and prevent youth suicide.

In his report released today, Del Graff says caseworkers missed opportunities with youths who died by suicide or drug overdose while they were in care.

His review examined the deaths of eight children in a six-month period starting last October 1.

Three of the deaths investigated were suicides and three children died from medical complications.

One died from an overdose and one was an accidental death.

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Graff says in the case of a 17-year-old who died by suicide, five previous recommendations his office made could have helped him.

He says it’s concerning that young people with complex needs continue to experience fragmented services.

Graff also notes that caseworkers were aware a 15-year-old who died of a drug overdose had threatened to harm himself in the past.

He didn’t get help until he was 14.

Graff says although more tools have been added to address cases of children with trauma, he recommends that children’s services evaluate how they are being integrated.