Health and Community Services
October 16, 2014

Strengthening Mental Health and Addictions Services for Families

Minister Supports Goals of Local Mental Health Group

The Honourable Steve Kent, Minister of Health and Community Services, is recognizing the Community Coalition 4 Mental Health on its initiative to bring greater attention to the issue of mental health and mental illness.

“Mental illness and addiction have far reaching impacts that affect us all and it is critical that we come together to offer support and create a provincial culture that accepts, includes and values all individuals and their experiences. We are committed to working with local groups and organizations and we value their input on how to create change. We know it will take a concerted effort and we look forward to moving together to strengthen our system.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Minister of Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government continues to make inroads in new and enhanced mental health and addictions services in the province through partnerships with community groups and services provided by the regional health authorities. Recently, two new provincial youth treatment centres for complex mental health needs and addictions were opened in Paradise and Grand Falls-Windsor, and work progresses on a new adult addictions centre and the replacement of the Waterford Hospital.

“Any opportunity to bring awareness and discussion to mental illness and addictions is positive. We look forward to having opportunities to work with local groups to seek solutions to common goals. The turnout at the forum last night is evidence that awareness is growing and that people are becoming more comfortable and open about discussing the issues despite the stigma that still exists. These conversations need to happen.”
- Minister Kent

The Provincial Government has recently launched the campaign, Understanding Changes Everything, aimed at challenging and ultimately changing the way people think and act toward individuals with a mental illness or addiction. For more information on the campaign, please visit: www.understandnow.ca or to share your personal story as a contribution to the campaign please contact help@understandnow.ca.

QUICK FACTS

• Last night (Wednesday, October 15), the Community Coalition 4 Mental Health held a public meeting at Holy Heart Theatre in St. John’s to bring greater attention to the issue of mental health and mental illness.
• The Provincial Government continues to make inroads in new and enhanced mental health and addictions services in the province through partnerships with community organizations and investments in treatment centres and services.
• Recently, the Provincial Government launched the campaign, Understanding Changes Everything , aimed at challenging and ultimately changing the way people think and act toward individuals with a mental illness or addiction.

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Media contact:

Heather MacLean Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca

2014 10 16                                        2:40 p.m.