A 10-Year Mental Health and Addictions Strategy

September 2009- In 2008 the Government of Ontario made a commitment to strengthen mental health and addictions services in the province. As part of this commitment, the Minister of Health and Long-term Care, David Caplan, established an Advisory Group. This group includes people who have experienced mental illnesses and addictions, family members, service providers and researchers. It is helping the Minister to develop a 10 year strategy that will also look to the other health services beyond those funded by the MOHLTC. This includes long-term care.

The Minister's Advisory Group developed a discussion paper, “Every Door is the Right Door”, and participated in a Mental Health and Addictions two day summit that had a focus on the paper. The summit was attended by 1000 delegates. Concerned Friends accepted the personal invitation from the Minister to attend the presentations and to participate in the discussions. As well, during the summit, we were able talk very briefly to the Minister about our concerns about the levels of staffing and staff training in our long-term care homes where over 70 per cent of residents have some form of dementia.

The topics Consumer Partnerships, Early Identification and Early Intervention, Healthy Communities, Strengthening the Workforce and System Design were discussed in smaller groups. Each discussion group had representatives of the many areas involved with mental health and addictions. Concerned Friends brought the long-term care focus to each of the discussion groups we attended.

The development of this strategy includes other Ontario ministries and representatives from all parties. There is also a Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions that is holding hearings across the province this fall. Concerned Friends has asked for an appointment to make a presentation to this committee. This presentation will focus on the mental health aspect of long-term care.

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