Dr. Stan Kutcher to Meet with Members of Cape Breton Community

Mental health expert Dr. Stan Kutcher will travel to Cape Breton Monday, June 26, to look into mental health needs for young people in the community.

He will talk with families, schools, and the community and determine what initiatives can help address mental health concerns on the island.

Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey and Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Zach Churchill reached out to Dr. Kutcher after several teen suicides in the area.

"My colleagues and I, along with all Nova Scotians, mourn with the families of Cape Breton,” said Mr. Delorey. “We need to take immediate steps so we have asked Dr. Kutcher to go to Cape Breton to look into this very serious situation.

“Government is committed to strengthening mental health and wellness services in Nova Scotia and we are eager to hear what Dr. Kutcher learns from his time in the community.”

Dr. Kutcher specializes in youth mental health and suicide, and is co-chair of the Minister’s Mental Health Advisory Panel.

“We need to better understand the particular needs of those in the community so we can best help the young people who live there,” said Dr. Kutcher. “The conversations I will have over the next few days will give us some of that insight.”

Dr. Kutcher will report back to the ministers in the coming weeks.