For Immediate Release
December 4, 2008
ELLIOTT’S RESOLUTION CALLS FOR A SELECT COMMITTEE
TO DEVELOP A PROVINCIAL MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGY
(Queen’s Park) – Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Christine Elliott (Whitby-Oshawa) held a press conference today to discuss her Private Member’s Resolution calling for an all party Select Committee to develop a provincial mental health strategy. Elliott was joined by Mary Alberti, Executive Director of the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario and Glenna Raymond, President & CEO of the Whitby Mental Health Centre.
In 2006, a landmark report concerning mental health issues was released by the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled “Out of the Shadows at Last – Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Services in Canada”. The Committee, chaired by the Honourable Michael Kirby, recommended a National Mental Health Commission, which was created by the federal government in budget 2007. Mr. Kirby now chairs the Commission, which is conducting ground-breaking research into mental health issues with the goals of creating a national mental health strategy and ending the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.
“We need a provincial mental health strategy to respond to the federal commission’s recommendations. It’s not just the Ministry of Health that delivers those programs and services,” said Elliott. “It’s the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the Ministry of the Attorney-General.”
“A comprehensive mental health strategy which cuts across many ministries will go a long way in improving the lives of people with schizophrenia,” advised Mary Alberti, Executive Director of the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario.
“A provincial mental health and addictions strategy and a shared public policy will form the building blocks to ensure Ontarians receive the best mental health services possible,” said Glenna Raymond, President and CEO of the Whitby Mental Health Centre. “With a coordinated, system wide approach, individuals will have an opportunity to not only manage their illness but also become accepted members of society, leading productive lives – a chance everyone deserves.”
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For more information:
Christine Elliott
(905) 430-1141
PRIVATE MEMBER’S NOTICE OF MOTION REGARDING A PROVINCIAL MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGY
Mrs. Elliott - That, in the opinion of this House, a Select Committee should be established immediately to develop a comprehensive Ontario mental health and addictions strategy;
That, in developing its strategy and recommendations, the Committee shall focus on the following issues:
- The urgent need for a comprehensive mental health strategy in Ontario to work in cooperation with the Mental Health Commission of Canada and to coordinate the delivery of mental health programs and services in Ontario;
- The lack of coordination in Ontario for the delivery of mental health programs and services across many provincial ministries;
- The mental health issues of children;
- The increase in suicide among young people;
- The mental health and/or addiction problems of homeless people;
- The mental health needs of residents of long term care facilities;
- The lack of access to even basic mental health services for aboriginal Canadians in many parts of Ontario; and
- The issues facing courts and police across Ontario in dealing with increasing numbers of alleged offenders with significant mental health and/or addiction problems;
That the Committee shall have authority to conduct hearings and undertake research, and generally shall have such powers and duties as are required to develop recommendations on a comprehensive Ontario mental health and addictions strategy; and
That the Committee shall present an interim report to the House no later than the end of 2009, and a final report no later than June 30, 2010.
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