Health and Community Services
January 26, 2016

Strengthening Mental Health and Addictions Services

All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions Reconvenes

Newfoundland and Labrador's All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions reconvened yesterday to discuss next steps in fulfilling its mandate. The committee will develop recommendations with the goal of improving programs and services for individuals and families affected by mental illness and addictions.

"One in five Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will experience a mental illness or addiction in any year. The work of the all-party committee aims to identify gaps in our system with the goal of strengthening programs and services while breaking down the barriers of stigma. We are engaging stakeholders and experts in the field of mental health and addictions and look forward to tackling this important issue together."
- The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services

Membership on the committee has been revised as a result of the recent provincial election and now includes:

• The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services and MHA for Gander (Chair)
• The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services and MHA for Placentia -St. Mary's (Alternate Chair)
• Lisa Dempster, MHA for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair
• Bernard Davis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services and MHA for Virginia Waters - Pleasantville
• John Finn, MHA for Stephenville - Port au Port (Alternate Member)
• Steve Kent, MHA for Mount Pearl North
• Tracey Perry, MHA for Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune
• Paul Davis, Leader of the Official Opposition and MHA for Topsail - Paradise (Alternate Member)
• Gerry Rogers, MHA for St. John's Centre
• Lorraine Michael, MHA for St. John's East - Quidi Vidi (Alternate Member)

"The need for mental health and addictions services is real for families across Newfoundland and Labrador.I look forward to working with my colleagues to advocate for broader services, and encourage participation and feedback from individuals to develop improved mental health and addictions supports, programs and outcomes in our province."
- Paul Davis, Leader of the Official Opposition and MHA for Topsail - Paradise

The committee will be seeking input from Aboriginal stakeholders and concluding regional consultations in Port aux Basques and Clarenville. Presentations are also encouraged from individuals with specific expertise in addictions, harm reduction, child and youth mental health, the justice system, women's mental health, post-traumatic stress, caregivers' issues, eating disorders, LGBTQ issues and geriatric psychiatry.

To date, the all-party committee has met with 255 residents, heard from 65 stakeholder groups, and received 64 presentations from individuals, families and organizations in 15 consultation sessions held across the province.

"We've heard from several individuals, families and workers from across the province. For many, it has taken great courage to present to our committee. I can't wait to roll up our sleeves and get back at it so we can honour those whose bravery and commitment will help us make the changes we need to develop mental health and addiction services that better serve the needs of our people in Newfoundland and Labrador."
- Gerry Rogers, Third Party Critic for Mental Health and Addictions and MHA for St. John's Centre

The information that has been gathered from consultations since the formation of the committee is available at www.BeHeardNL.ca . Members of the public are encouraged to provide feedback and make suggestions on mental health and addictions issues using the methods outlined on the website.

QUICK FACTS

• The provincial All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions has reconvened and will develop recommendations to improve programs and services for individuals and families affected by mental illness and addictions.
• The committee will be seeking input from Aboriginal stakeholders and concluding regional consultations in Port aux Basques and Clarenville.
• Presentations are also encouraged from individuals with specific expertise in addictions, harm reduction, child and youth mental health, the justice system, women's mental health, post-traumatic stress, caregivers' issues, eating disorders, LGBTQ issues and geriatric psychiatry.
• To date, the all-party committee has met with 255 residents, heard from 65 stakeholder groups, and received 64 presentations from individuals, families and organizations in 15 sessions held across the province.
• The information that has been gathered from consultations since the formation of the committee is available at www.BeHeardNL.ca .

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Media contacts:

Tina Williams Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-2837 tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca	Heather MacLean Director of Communications Official Opposition Office 709-729-3400, 725-5204 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
Jean Graham Director of Communications New Democratic Party Caucus Office 709-729-2137, 693-9172 jeangraham@gov.nl.ca

2016 01 26                              1:45 p.m.