Minister Parsons Attends Mental Health Day at Her Majestyï¿½s Penitentiary

Justice and Public Safety
February 12, 2016

Focusing on Rehabilitation for Safer Communities

Minister Parsons Attends Mental Health Day at Her Majestyï¿½s Penitentiary

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, today attended Mental Health Day at Her Majestyï¿½s Penitentiary in St. Johnï¿½s. This event, which featured presentations on various topics related to mental health and wellness, was made possible with the cooperation of Eastern Health and several community groups including the John Howard Society.

ï¿½When inmates are incarcerated, it is important that they have access to programs and services that can assist them in being rehabilitated and becoming productive members of society. Mental health and wellness is one area inmates can focus on, and events such as this provide them with valuable tools and information they can avail of. Hopefully, they can use what they learn to improve their lives and not reoffend once released.ï¿½
- The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

Mental Health Day was held in the gymnasium and experts covered topics such as mental health coping strategies, mental health and addiction, mindfulness, lived experience and peer support and the connection between mental health and physical health. This was the second year that a Mental Health Day was offered at Her Majestyï¿½s Penitentiary. All inmates who attended had an opportunity to circulate to hear the various short presentations and were also given a take-away bag with valuable information.

ï¿½The John Howard Society commends the Department of Justice and Public Safety on hosting the second annual Mental Health Day at Her Majestyï¿½s Penitentiary. With so many incarcerated individuals living with mental illness and/or addiction issues, providing education and support will assist them in their recovery while serving to lessen the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental illness.ï¿½
- Cindy Murphy, Executive Director, The John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador

The provincial All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions recently reconvened to continue work to develop recommendations to improve programs and services for individuals and families affected by mental illness and addictions. Presentations will be heard from individuals with specific expertise in such areas as the justice system, addictions, harm reduction, women's mental health, post-traumatic stress, and more. To view the information that has been gathered from consultations since the formation of the committee, or to add a submission, visit www.BeHeardNL.ca .

QUICK FACTS

The second annual Mental Health Day was held today at Her Majestyï¿½s Penitentiary.
Mental Health Day features presentations from experts on various topics related to mental health and wellness.
Topics covered included mental health coping strategies, mental health and addiction, mindfulness, lived experience and peer support and the connection between mental health and physical health.
The provincial All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions recently reconvened to continue work to develop recommendations to improve programs and services for individuals and families affected by mental illness and addictions. For more information, residents can visit www.BeHeardNL.ca .

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Media contact:

Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca

2016 02 12 3:10 p.m.

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