Health and Community Services
October 4, 2012

Government Works with Community Partners to Strengthen Mental Health and Addictions Services

Recognizing the importance of engaging communities and individuals directly impacted by mental health and addictions issues the Provincial Government has established a Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Community Leadership Committee. This committee will provide advice and recommendations to the Provincial Government on awareness and anti-stigma initiatives.

“Stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness and addictions still exists and we continue to see examples of it throughout our communities,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services. “It is our hope that through collaborative efforts with the Community Leadership Committee, we will begin to break down the barriers of stigma to ensure those who need help get it.”

The committee consists of 20 participants, 10 male and 10 female, throughout the province with personal or family experience of mental health and addictions issues, including a focus on the perspectives of seniors and youth, homelessness and health promotion and wellness. A full members’ listing can be found in the backgrounder provided below.

“Over the last couple of years, our government has made significant investments to implement an E-Mental Health and Awareness Program,” said Minister Sullivan. “The goal of this program is to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health and addictions and increase access to services to help combat these issues. The establishment of the Community Leadership Committee will allow us to seek input and advice from people dealing with mental illness, which is crucial when developing initiatives tailored to meet the needs of individuals.”

Two Requests for Proposals (RFP) were issued recently as part of the E-Mental Health and Awareness Program. The first RFP is for the development of two interactive e-mental health and addictions websites, one for youth and the other a knowledge exchange portal for stakeholders. The second RFP is for the development of a mass media awareness campaign to help decrease the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health and addictions.

Over the past three years, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $29 million to support mental health and addictions throughout the province. This includes $15.5 million, announced in Budget 2012: People and Prosperity, for the continued development of the youth treatment centres in Grand Falls-Windsor and Paradise, and the adult addictions treatment centre in Harbour Grace.

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Media contact:

Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 699-6524
JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca 

BACKGROUNDER
Community Leadership Committee

2012 10 04                                 11:50 a.m.