Health and Community Services
April 27, 2015

Strengthening Mental Health and Addictions Services for Families and Communities

All-Party Committee Moving Forward with Plans for Provincial Consultations

A second meeting of the All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions on Friday featured presentations focusing on both provincial and national perspectives and made further progress on plans for province-wide consultations, with a detailed schedule expected to be finalized soon.

"The all-party committee benefitted from two very informative presentations on mental health and addictions. Our thanks to officials of the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information, and Louise Bradley of the Mental Health Commission of Canada for their contributions. The information they provided will be a great help to the committee as we begin the process of consultations in the coming weeks and work towards enhancing mental health and addictions services for those who need them."
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

The committee was provided with an overview of a new report released on Friday, April 24, by the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI) on mental health and addictions programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. Following that, Louise Bradley, President and CEO of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, provided an overview of the commission's role and mandate, including its current programs and priorities in the areas of addressing mental health in the workplace, suicide prevention, mental health first aid, anti-stigma and promotion and prevention.

The focus of the All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions is to make recommendations to improve programs and services to better serve the needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

"Building better health care in our province starts with greater access to services. The all-party committee is taking every opportunity to become familiar with the current programs and services offered for people living with mental health and addictions challenges. I look forward to hearing from families who are impacted as we proceed with province-wide public consultations. It is our intention to dramatically improve treatment options for the one in five people affected by mental illness."
- Andrew Parsons, Opposition Critic for the Department of Health and Community Services and MHA for the District of Burgeo-La Poile

The committee will hold province-wide consultations, with a detailed schedule to be released in the coming weeks. These public sessions will include discussions with stakeholders and individuals and families with experience of mental illness or addictions. Opportunities will also be provided for written and emailed submissions. The process will be collaborative, open and transparent and will emphasize consensus-seeking and shared learning.

"The important work of the committee starts now, as we listen to the people of the province. I can't wait to roll up our sleeves and get going on this next phase. I want to hear from people in every nook and cranny of the province. Together, we will make this better because we have to - and we can.
- Gerry Rogers, Third Party Critic for Mental Health and Addictions and MHA for the District of St. John's Centre

The NLCHI Mental Health & Addictions Programs - Performance Indicators report which was reviewed by the committee, is a set of is a set of indicators on performance of mental health and addictions programs and services in Newfoundland and Labrador. The report defines a standard set of indicators to address accountability and monitor performance of mental health and addictions programs and services. Forty-one indicators were grouped under seven headings: Quality, Safety, Access, Utilization, Efficiency, Spending, and Health Outcomes. The report can be found at: www.nlchi.nl.ca/images/Mental_Health_and_Addictions_Programs_Performance_Indicators_April_2015.pdf .

The All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions was established after a private members motion supported by all members of the House of Assembly in January of 2015.

QUICK FACTS

• A second meeting of the All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions featured presentations focusing on both provincial and national perspectives, further progress on plans for province-wide consultations with a detailed schedule expected to be finalized soon.
• The committee was provided with an overview of a new report released by the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI) on mental health and addictions programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. The report can be found at: www.nlchi.nl.ca/images/Mental_Health_and_Addictions_Programs_Performance_Indicators_April_2015.pdf .
• Louise Bradley, President and CEO of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, provided an overview of the commission's role and mandate, including its current programs and priorities in the areas of addressing mental health in the workplace, suicide prevention, mental health first aid, anti-stigma and promotion and prevention.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca	Carla Foote Director of Communications Office of the Official Opposition 709-729-6151, 691-6673 carlafoote@gov.nl.ca
Jean Graham Director of Communications New Democratic Party Caucus Office 709-729-2137, 693-9172 jeangraham@gov.nl.ca

2015 04 27                              9:05 a.m.