HA
Member
Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health - Long awaited Senate Report Points to National Leadership Void in Mental Illness and Mental Health
OTTAWA, Nov. 23 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness
and Mental Health (CAMIMH) welcomed the long awaited Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee report on the state of mental illness and health services in Canada, tabled in the Senate of Canada today.
The three-volume report provides the first comprehensive review of the
state of mental illness and mental health policies and programs in Canada in over 40 years, along with an international comparison of mental health services and policy approaches. The report includes an "issues and options" report that will serve as the basis for the Committee's cross country consultations over the next year.
While primarily focusing on the challenges facing the provision of mental illness services in Canada, the report also sheds light on impact of current policy and programs shortcomings. It puts a human face on how these shortcomings affect millions of Canadians on a daily basis. "This report underscores the stark reality that too many Canadians face each day when trying to obtain mental health care services in Canada," said Phil Upshall, CAMIMH's National Director and who has experienced these challenges first hand.
The report points to a lack of national leadership in the area of mental health and illness and how this void keeps mental health and illness on the lowest tier of health care policy in Canada, producing inequities in availability of services across this country. It points out that the shortages in health human resources, while problematic across the whole health spectrum, are particularly acute in mental illness. "This report serves to reinforce the urgency of CAMIMH's call for a National Action Plan that will set a much needed framework for mental health care and prevention services available to all Canadians," added Dr. John Service, CAMIMH's Chair and a health professional. "CAMIMH's 15 member coalition was formed six years ago in order to draw attention to how Canada lags behind many other western countries that are making mental health a national priority. Other nations have recognized that it takes national leadership to confront the fact that five out the 10 leading causes of disability are now due to mental illness," added Mr. Upshall.
Over the next year the Committee will consult with governments, stakeholders, consumers and the general public on the issues and options it raises in its report. Mr. Upshall's coalition is urging all levels of government and citizens to answer the questions posed by the Committee on its web site and to present their ideas for change at any of the meetings that will take place across the country. "We think Senator Kirby and his Committee have set up a process that will provide the federal government with concrete recommendations on improving the care and support for people suffering from mental illness and mental health problems. We hope this report will not only be the pivot for real change in services and policies for those suffering with mental illness or addiction, but also serve to turn the tide of the stigma of mental illness, which can be just as disabling," concluded Mr. Upshall.
The 15 member organizations of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) represent all elements of the mental health continuum. Its members are: Autism Society of Canada, Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, Canadian Association of Social Workers, Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian Psychiatric Association, Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation, Canadian Psychological Association, Mood Disorders Society of Canada, National Network for Mental Health, Native Mental Health Association of Canada, Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada, Schizophrenia Society of Canada.
For further information: John Service, CAMIMH Chair, (613) 355-7808;
Phil Upshall, CAMIMH National Director, (519) 835-1058
Article Source http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/November2004/23/c6702.html
CAMIMH Website http://www.camimh.ca/index.htm
OTTAWA, Nov. 23 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness
and Mental Health (CAMIMH) welcomed the long awaited Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee report on the state of mental illness and health services in Canada, tabled in the Senate of Canada today.
The three-volume report provides the first comprehensive review of the
state of mental illness and mental health policies and programs in Canada in over 40 years, along with an international comparison of mental health services and policy approaches. The report includes an "issues and options" report that will serve as the basis for the Committee's cross country consultations over the next year.
While primarily focusing on the challenges facing the provision of mental illness services in Canada, the report also sheds light on impact of current policy and programs shortcomings. It puts a human face on how these shortcomings affect millions of Canadians on a daily basis. "This report underscores the stark reality that too many Canadians face each day when trying to obtain mental health care services in Canada," said Phil Upshall, CAMIMH's National Director and who has experienced these challenges first hand.
The report points to a lack of national leadership in the area of mental health and illness and how this void keeps mental health and illness on the lowest tier of health care policy in Canada, producing inequities in availability of services across this country. It points out that the shortages in health human resources, while problematic across the whole health spectrum, are particularly acute in mental illness. "This report serves to reinforce the urgency of CAMIMH's call for a National Action Plan that will set a much needed framework for mental health care and prevention services available to all Canadians," added Dr. John Service, CAMIMH's Chair and a health professional. "CAMIMH's 15 member coalition was formed six years ago in order to draw attention to how Canada lags behind many other western countries that are making mental health a national priority. Other nations have recognized that it takes national leadership to confront the fact that five out the 10 leading causes of disability are now due to mental illness," added Mr. Upshall.
Over the next year the Committee will consult with governments, stakeholders, consumers and the general public on the issues and options it raises in its report. Mr. Upshall's coalition is urging all levels of government and citizens to answer the questions posed by the Committee on its web site and to present their ideas for change at any of the meetings that will take place across the country. "We think Senator Kirby and his Committee have set up a process that will provide the federal government with concrete recommendations on improving the care and support for people suffering from mental illness and mental health problems. We hope this report will not only be the pivot for real change in services and policies for those suffering with mental illness or addiction, but also serve to turn the tide of the stigma of mental illness, which can be just as disabling," concluded Mr. Upshall.
The 15 member organizations of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) represent all elements of the mental health continuum. Its members are: Autism Society of Canada, Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, Canadian Association of Social Workers, Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian Psychiatric Association, Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation, Canadian Psychological Association, Mood Disorders Society of Canada, National Network for Mental Health, Native Mental Health Association of Canada, Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada, Schizophrenia Society of Canada.
For further information: John Service, CAMIMH Chair, (613) 355-7808;
Phil Upshall, CAMIMH National Director, (519) 835-1058
Article Source http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/November2004/23/c6702.html
CAMIMH Website http://www.camimh.ca/index.htm
