The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services.

Mental Health Week Begins in Province

I rise in this Honourable House today to recognize Mental Health Week 2010, which runs from May 3 to May 9. This year's theme is Building your mental health—One support at a time. This week will help focus attention on the importance of promoting and improving mental health.

Mental Health Week is an annual national event held by the Canadian Mental Health Association to raise awareness of mental health issues and provide learning opportunities to help all Canadians achieve and maintain good mental health in their everyday lives.

During Mental Health Week we are all encouraged to look at the state of our own mental health. At this time I would like to provide my colleagues with an opportunity to assess the various dimensions your own mental health, using the "Mental Health Meter" developed by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

When I became Minister of Health and Community Services I made a pledge to make mental health and addictions issues a priority. I am pleased to say today that this government is proving its commitment to mental health and addictions.

Last month, I was pleased to award one-time funding to several community groups throughout the province that focus on mental health and addictions services, including $80,000 to the Canadian Mental Health Association to develop a mental health literacy and anti-stigma project.

In Budget 2010 we continued our efforts to ensure that those individuals who live with mental illness or addiction issues have treatment options available to them.

Our significant investments include $2 million for the planning and development of an adult residential addictions treatment centre in Harbour Grace that will help meet the needs of individuals who require longer-term residential treatment or those that have more severe, persistent addictions issues.

Our other investments include enhancements to child psychiatry at the Janeway Hospital, a new psychologist to enhance the eating disorders treatment program at Eastern Health and funding to support new community-based projects, with a focus on mental health and addictions issues, among other issues. We are also continuing the planning and construction of two new residential treatments facilities for children and youth with mental health and addictions issues.

Our government will continue to work with groups such as the Canadian Mental Health Association and others to help continue to address mental health issues and provide the programs and services needed.

2010 05 03                     1:40 p.m.