Continuously, the New Brunswick healthcare system has neglected the well-being of those struggling with mental illness in the province. This blatant negligence for the safety and health of all New Brunswickers has most recently led to the tragic loss of 16-year-old Lexi Daken who died by suicide on February 24th. 

Lexi, who had previously attempted suicide, was taken to the emergency room at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton, NB, on Feb. 18 by a school guidance counsellor who was concerned about her mental health. There, Lexi waited for eight hours without receiving any mental health intervention. She was made to feel like a burden on the staff in her moment of need and left the hospital with a referral for follow-up instead of the help that she went to the hospital to receive. According to Lexi's mother Shawna Betts, no one ever contacted the family after the visit and on Wednesday morning, Lexi died by suicide.

This petition is calling for New Brunswick Health Minister Dorothy Shephard to support an immediate public inquiry into Lexi's death instead of a review of the "services for mental health crisis care" that Shephard has already admitted are "broken."

A public inquiry would ensure a more transparent and realistic account of the events leading up to Lexi's death and allow the public to follow the proceedings of the inquiry. 

Lexi is just the latest in a long line of victims of the broken healthcare system in New Brunswick and unless change is made immediately, she won't be the last. We can't let Lexi's death and the pain that it's brought be in vain. Lexi's Legacy needs to be one of hope and progress and with your support, we can help ensure that people across this province will receive the help they need in their moment of need. 

This petition was created by Kyle Moore with the help of the Daken family in Lexi's honour. #LexisLegacy