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Federal Government Establishes Mental Health Commission |
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Written by Wire Services
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Thursday, 24 November 2005 |
With the announcement earlier today of the establishment of a national Commission on Mental Health, Mental Illness and Substance Abuse, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is stepping forward to applaud the Minister of Health but also cautions that prompt action is required to continue the momentum.
The CMHA views the new Commission as a momentous step towards the development and implementation of a strategy to address the mental health needs of all the people of Canada.
"We strongly urge the Minister of Health to promptly meet with representatives from the mental health/mental illness stakeholder community - including consumers of mental health services - to discuss the steps required to ensure this Commission becomes a reality in early 2006," says PenelopeMarrett, National CEO, the Canadian Mental Health Association. "We must now focus on building momentum, even during this time of political uncertainty."
This Commission's work will be critical for the improved health of all people of Canada: the one in five who will develop a mental illness during their lifetime; the many more who will experience other mental health problems; and all those individuals around them whose lives will be indirectly effected - at home, at school, at work and in their communities.
Canada remains one of the only developed countries without a mental health strategy in place. With more than six million people requiring a range of mental health services in this country's communities - from rural to urban - a coordinated well planned approach to serving those needs is imperative, Marrett adds.
"The Commission's success will ultimately be judged on the development and implementation of a strategy for mental health and mental illness for this country, but the government cannot do it alone. We anticipate and look forward to being involved at every step along the way." |
