Ottawa, ON – The Mental Health Commission of Canada welcomes the Saskatchewan Government’s endorsement of the province’s 10-year Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan.
The plan was submitted to the Saskatchewan Government this week by Dr. Fern Stockdale Winder, who led a comprehensive review and extensive consultations across the province. It sets out 16 main recommendations to shape the future of Saskatchewan’s mental health care. The Plan calls for a more coordinated and timely response to people in need of mental health and addictions services and places emphasis on early intervention, person- and family-centred care, as well as on collaborative approaches.
I am especially pleased that the Saskatchewan Government has endorsed the Plan as its guide for improving mental health and addictions services during the next 10 years.
I congratulate Dr. Stockdale Winder for her approach in developing the report by leading consultations across the province with a particular emphasis on the listening to the voices of people with lived experience, as well as families, communities and human service providers. Her cross ministry review demonstrates how many Government Ministries including Health, Social Services, Education, Justice, Corrections and Policing are already working on many of the complex issues involved in mental health and addictions. I commend her recommendations for improved alignment of policies across multiple sectors to focus on recovery and improved outcomes in order to deliver better results for the population.
As the report states, Saskatchewan’s plan builds on the MHCC’s Changing Direction, Changing Lives: the Mental Health Strategy for Canada. The Mental Health Commission of Canada looks forward to continuing to work with Saskatchewan and the other provincial and territorial mental health and addiction program leaders in advancing our shared vision for improved outcomes for people living with addictions and mental health problems and illnesses.
ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a catalyst for change. We are collaborating with hundreds of partners to change the attitudes of Canadians toward mental health problems and to improve services and support. Our goal is to help people who live with mental health problems and illnesses lead meaningful and productive lives. Together we create change. The Mental Health Commission of Canada is funded by Health Canada.
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca
Media Contact:
Glenn Johnson, Senior Media Relations Specialist
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Mobile: 1-613-683-3940
gjohnson@mentalhealthcommission.ca
