NLIS 5 November 27, 2003 (Health and Community Services) Minister announces meetings on proposed provincial mental health services strategy Elizabeth Marshall, Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced that community meetings on a proposed strategy for mental health services will be held throughout the province. Minister Marshall also released the discussion document, Working Together for Mental Health: A Proposed Mental Health Services Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador, which will be the basis for dialogue at these meetings. "Officials from my department will be traveling the province to discuss the proposed initiative for mental health services in our province," said Minister Marshall. "Stakeholders will be asked to provide advice and feedback on the discussion document, as well as contribute new ideas and approaches." The feedback received through the consultation process will be taken under advisement and a strategy for implementation finalized. The development of a provincial strategy will set the direction for mental health services for the next five to 10 years. Community meetings will be held for families, informal care givers, interested community members and organizations. The dates for these public meetings are listed below. In addition, separate sessions will be held for consumers of mental health services and health providers; these sessions will be closed to the public and media to ensure confidentiality. For those not able to attend the sessions, the discussion document contains directions on how to provide feedback. The document can be accessed at //www.gov.nl.ca/health/publications/default.htm. "I encourage the various stakeholder groups to attend the consultation sessions," said Minister Marshall. "Regional consultations are the primary vehicle for ensuring the developing plan is acceptable and effective for meeting the mental health needs of the population of Newfoundland and Labrador." Dates for the community meetings are as follows:
Persons interested in more information on the sessions can contact 1-877-929-0033. Media contact: Gail Tucker, Communications, (709) 729-2788 2003 11 27 4:35 p.m. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|