LIBERAL BILL AIMS TO MAKE MENTAL HEALTH A GOVERNMENT PRIORITY
Date: Wednesday September 30, 2009

(Halifax, NS) Today in the House of Assembly, Liberal health critic
Diana Whalen introduced legislation that would see the creation of a
Provincial Advisory Council on Mental Health - a publicly accountable
council that would ensure mental health is treated as a priority issue.

“Mental health does not receive the attention it requires, quite
frankly,” explained Whalen. “One in five Nova Scotians will
experience a mental health issue in their lifetime - that’s over
180,000 of us. Government simply can’t ignore this issue any longer -
it is too important.”

Whalen says the council would advise the health minister and government
on policies, programs and priorities aimed at addressing the mental
health needs of Nova Scotians. The group would consist of mental health
professionals, academics, mental health consumers and their family
members.

“Our bill is really about collaboration and focus,” Whalen says.
“The provincial government, the mental health community and
stakeholders must work together if we are to make a real impact on the
delivery of mental health services in this province. There is no single
government department, group of healthcare professionals or organization
that can do it alone.”

Whalen, who hosted a press conference with the Dalhousie Department of
Psychiatry earlier in the day, believes the costs of not dealing with
mental illness are too high.

“We know that mental health issues, left unaddressed, can lead to
future unemployment, exclusion from society, criminal activity and
homelessness. We have a shared responsibility to help bring awareness
and resources to mental health matters - creating this advisory council
is an important first step in embracing that responsibility.”

“It’s time to make mental health a priority in this province,”
says Whalen. “Let’s work together to give mental health the
attention it requires.”

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