On Friday, March 24, 2017, we saw the culmination of a project inspired by an NDP Private Member's Motion. When St. John's Centre MHA Gerry Rogers proposed an All-Party Committee on Mental Health in 2015, it got the support of every member present in the House of Assembly that day. Two years later, with an intervening change of government, a lot of hard work has been done. There has been some changeover in committee membership, but Gerry and former health minister (now opposition MHA) Steve Kent have been constant, as has St. John's East-Quidi Vidi MHA Lorraine Michael as an alternate member.
Here is the release from the All-Party Committee:
Health and Community Services
March 24, 2017
All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions Releases Report and Recommendations
Newfoundland and Labrador’s All-Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions has completed its mandate, today releasing its report and recommendations to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Titled "Towards Recovery: A Vision for a Renewed Mental Health and Addictions System," the report outlines 54 recommendations on the following areas:
Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention; Access to services; Quality of care; Policy and programming; Community supports; and Accountability and performance monitoring.
Quotes “Towards Recovery will guide us in improving the delivery of mental health and addictions services. We can begin to change the system to help achieve a healthier population and this report will be our key guide to doing so. I would like to thank both past and present committee members for their commitment.” - Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services
"Following two years of hard work, and thanks to the efforts of many who contributed, Towards Recovery is a major step forward in improving mental health and addictions programs and services. The report offers tremendous hope. It focuses on advancing care and services in a significant way. We must ensure recommendations now turn into action.” - Steve Kent, MHA for Mount Pearl
“People across the province courageously told us their stories and what needs to be done to make our mental healthcare system better. We listened. We heard. This report and these recommendations are a strong and clear call to government to action. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get going.” - Gerry Rogers, MHA for St. John’s Centre
Read the full report here: http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/all_party_committe_report.pdf