Health and Community Services
May 8, 2015
Strengthening Mental Health and Addictions Services for Families and Communities
Provincial Consultations to Begin for All-Party Committee
Improving programs and services to better serve the needs of individuals and families affected by mental illness or addictions is the key focus of the All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions. Recognizing this, and in keeping with the commitment made by the committee, the first in a series of provincial consultations will be held on Monday, May 11, in Corner Brook.
"By engaging with experts, community groups and the general public, these consultations are a collaborative, consultative, and non-partisan province-wide effort to improve the quality of mental health programs and services in Newfoundland and Labrador. The all-party committee looks forward to hearing from stakeholders, individuals living with mental illness and/or addiction, and the general public, to identify and discuss ways to improve our supports to those affected by mental health and addictions."
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services
In addition to the consultations, feedback and input can be provided online through a website that will be available in the coming days, by emailing BeHeardNL@gov.nl.ca, or by calling 1-844-729-6310 (toll-free and TTY).
"Openly listening and discussing the impact of mental illness and addictions on individuals and their families is crucial to improving our health care system. I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take part either through public consultations, written submissions or phone calls so that the all-party committee can be fully informed on the experiences of those impacted across our province. Mental health programs and services must focus on outcomes and healing for all involved."
- Andrew Parsons, Opposition Critic for the Department of Health and Community Services and MHA for the District of Burgeo-La Poile
The public consultation process will offer multiple opportunities for stakeholders and residents to provide feedback and suggestions to the All-Party Committee, including public sessions in two formats. For format details, please see the backgrounder.
"As we begin our work, I'm encouraging everyone to come out and tell us what they know about mental health and addictions services. The more people we talk to, the more we will learn about what is working and what is not working, and the better our results will be. Together we can make this happen!"
- Gerry Rogers, Third Party Critic for Mental Health and Addictions and MHA for the District of St. John's Centre
Corner Brook sessions are planned as follows:
| Location | Date | Time |
| Corner Brook
| Monday, May 11 | 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Public Presentation Session) 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Public Dialogue and Discussion Session) |
To register for the public presentation session or public dialogue and discussion session in Corner Brook, please email BeHeardNL@gov.nl.ca or call 1-844-729-6310 (toll-free and TTY). Please advise at time of registration which session you would like to attend, and any special accommodations you require for your participation.
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
- Consultations are beginning for the All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions with the first of a series of provincial consultations being held on Monday, May 11, in Corner Brook.
- To register for the public presentation session or public dialogue and discussion session in Corner Brook, please email BeHeardNL@gov.nl.ca or call 1-844-729-6310 (toll-free and TTY). Please advise at time of registration which session you would like to attend, and any special accommodations you require for your participation.
- In addition to the consultations, feedback and input can be provided online through a website that will be available in the coming days.
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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 |
BACKGROUNDER
All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions Public Consultations
Public consultations in two formats will offer multiple opportunities for stakeholders and residents to provide feedback and suggestions to the all-party committee:
Public Presentation Sessions: Stakeholders, community groups, individuals and families with lived experience of mental illness and/or addiction can pre-register to make formal or informal 15 or 30-minute presentations to members of the all-party committee. While the individual or group presenting will have the full attention of the all-party committee, presentations may be observed by members of the public and media.
Public Dialogue and Discussion Sessions: Stakeholders, individuals and families with lived experience of mental illness and/or addiction, and the general public can pre-register to participate in small, informal round table discussions with other stakeholders and individuals. Each table will be facilitated by one member of the all-party committee.
2015 05 08 4:05 p.m.