Health and Community Services
May 3, 2010The 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.
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