Desmond inquiry: Nova Scotia has no specific mental health program for Black people
-
Share on Facebook
-
Share on Twitter
- Copy Link
PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. — An inquiry investigating why a mentally unstable former soldier killed his family and himself in 2017 heard today that Nova Scotia does not offer its Black population any culturally specific programs for maintaining mental health or preventing intimate partner violence.
The provincial inquiry is focusing today on the role race played in the deaths of Afghanistan war veteran Lionel Desmond; his wife, Shanna; their 10-year-old daughter, Aaliyah; and Desmond’s mother, Brenda — all of whom were Black.
Among other things, the inquiry has been asked to determine if Desmond and his family had access to appropriate mental health services and to domestic violence intervention services.
Four Nova Scotia experts testified today, including Robert Wright, a sociologist who specializes in forensic mental health, trauma and cultural competence.
