Stabbing death of 14-year-old highlights need for more mental health support for Manitoba youth, say experts

The Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth said the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old girl, allegedly by another teen, highlights a mental health crisis facing youth in this province.

"It's a very sad and complicated situation because it affects the whole community," Sherry Gott said of Friday's deadly attack on the girl in downtown Winnipeg.

"That's very young to die such a violent death." 

A 17-year-old boy she and two other girls had been socializing with that afternoon has been charged with second-degree murder in the girl's death, police said Tuesday.

Gott confirmed her office has received a child death notification for the young victim.

Her office will look into whether the girl had been accessing any public services, such as education or mental health supports, and whether she'd been involved in the child welfare system.

Such reviews can bring attention to ways in which these services might be improved, Gott said.

"There is a mental health crisis in Manitoba, especially with our youth, and they need support," she said.

She pointed to the advocate's report into the 2020 death of Eishia Hudson, who was fatally shot by police, as having led to an initiative to work with the Winnipeg Police Service on improving relationships with youth who come into contact with law enforcement.

The report recommended creating a special response unit to address youth in crisis, said Gott.

"They have a similar response team that addresses mental health in adults," she said. "And there's nothing for youth."

Children and teenagers need more support than ever following restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the advocate said.

"We were in lockdown for quite some time," said Gott.

"Three years is a long time in people's lives, especially youth. They were isolated at home and have to learn all their social skills again," she said.