The launch of a national mental health strategy will guide Prince Edward Island’s framework for a comprehensive mental health and addictions review, says Minister of Health and Wellness Doug Currie. “Our department is committed to undertaking a comprehensive review of mental health and addictions services across our province,” said Minister Currie. “The launch of Canada’s Mental Health Strategy will serve as a lens for our provincial strategy.”
Today, the Mental Health Commission of Canada launched “Changing Directions, Changing Lives,” a report on the Mental Health Strategy for Canada. The Mental Health Strategy for Canada was developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada with the advice of the Provincial Territorial Reference Group and extensive public consultation. This is the first ever national mental health strategy for Canada.
The Mental Health Strategy for Canada is a plan to promote better mental health, prevent mental illness and ensure that services and supports are there to foster recovery for people who need them. It’s about fixing the mental health system so it can better meet the needs of the diverse population groups across our country, including new Canadians as well as First Nations, Inuit and Metis. To succeed, all Canadians need to work together to bring about change.
In 2009, Health PEI initiated the Mental Health Services Strategy, an internal quality improvement process. As well, the Department of Health and Wellness has made mental well-being a focus of “Thrive PEI,” the Health and Wellness strategy for Islanders. The development of mental health care within the province’s Primary Care Networks is also planned.
“The Department of Health and Wellness, together with Health PEI, has created a new approach which combines acute care with community health and addictions to allow for seamless care for patients, clients and their families,” said Minister Currie. “We are working collaboratively to provide access to the right combination of service, treatments and supports when and where people need them most.”
“In staying consistent with the Mental Health Strategy for Canada, a robust approach to addressing the mental health of Islanders requires mental illness prevention, mental health promotion and mental health care by a variety of government and community-based sectors,” said Margaret Kennedy, Director of Mental Health and Addictions, Health PEI. “Health PEI already has a number of initiatives in progress or planned concerning the mental health care of Islanders. We look forward to examining further options during the review.”
To read the National Mental Health Strategy visit www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/Pages/Strategy.aspx