Released on November 26, 1996
Health Minister Eric Cline today announced the appointment of eight newmembers to the provincial Mental Health Advisory Council (MHAC).
The new members have been appointed for a three-year term to advise the
minister of health and Saskatchewan Health on policies, programs and
priorities aimed at addressing the mental health needs of Saskatchewan
people.
"The MHAC is working toward helping achieve the goals of wellness,"
Cline said. "People appointed to the council strongly exemplify the
values and aspirations of Saskatchewan people and care deeply about the
mental health and well-being of individuals."
The MHAC recently published, and presented to the minister, A Guide to
Promote Community Involvement in Mental Health Planning, which has been
distributed to health districts. The publication provides a planning
tool for health districts to address local mental health needs and
issues. In addition, the Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan has
now incorporated the document into their program.
The new appointments to the 14-member council are: Dr. K.V.
Ramachandran, North Battleford; Marion Solberg, Gouldtown; Sherryl
Mydonick, Yorkton; Marcia Mirasty, Meadow Lake; Alice Waldie, Regina;
Nancy Masuskapoe, Saskatoon; Helene Dorsch, Moosomin; Shirley Skelton,
Saskatoon.
"I welcome the new members and look forward to the council's continuing
recommendations on client-focused policies regarding mental health
needs, issues and opportunities," Cline said.
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For more information, contact:
Mark Seland
Communications and Public Information Branch
Saskatchewan Health
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-3825
Mental Health Advisory Council Membership
New Members:
Dr. K.V. Ramachandran
Dr. Ramachandran holds a specialist qualification in psychiatry
from the United Kingdom. He has been practising psychiatry since
1976. He has worked in England as well as Ontario before moving
to his current position at Saskatchewan Hospital in 1990. In
addition to his administrative functions he provides clinical
psychiatry services to the forensic program and psychiatric
rehabilitation program at the hospital. His current professional
interests include rehabilitation psychiatry, forensic psychiatry,
schizophrenia, substance abuse disorders, community psychiatry and
use of computers in psychiatric practice.
Marion Solberg
Solberg is a retired nurse with 30 years experience in the health-
care field in various areas of acute care hospitals. Solberg
understands the needs and special circumstances of rural people.
Solberg has been president of Swift Current Conference ELW (Ladies
Branch, Lutheran Church) and has served in other offices of this
organization. She has worked as a coordinator of Herbert New
Horizons Group (and helped form and foster a group of seniors),
served on the Group Home Board in Herbert, Recreation for Youth
and Special Olympics and chaired the Herbert Community Clubs
running the Sports Complex. She received the Governor-General's
Award for Volunteer Work in 1986. Solberg also represents
consumer interest in the system as she has raised a daughter who
had FAE-FAS.
Sherryl Mydonick
Currently Mydonick is a Community Development Coordinator with the
Canadian Mental Health Association/Friends for Life in Yorkton.
Her educational background is in intervention (Suicide
Intervention Trainer and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention).
Currently she is working toward a degree in social work. Mydonick
has knowledge of First Nations culture and traditions and is
fluent in Dakota (Sioux). In 1995, Mydonick was appointed to the
East Central Health District Board.
Marcia Mirasty
Mirasty is an employee of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council in Health
and Social Development. She also has been working with the Meadow
Lake School Division for the last 18 months as a home-school
liaison officer. She has been a member of the Midwifery Advisory
Committee for Saskatchewan Health. Currently Mirasty is a
Northwest Health Board member. Mirasty is a Carrot Lake First
Nation member, currently residing on the Flying Dust First Nation.
Mirasty's area of interest include addressing wellness issues,
community planning and exploring how communities can integrate
services.
Alice Waldie
Waldie has been a professional educator since 1969. She has
extensive experience as a classroom and special education teacher;
consultant; supervisor, student services; vice-principal; and
currently principal, St. Francis School. As well she has been an
assistant professor (Educational Psychology and Special
Education). Waldie has a personal and professional interest in
appropriate mental health services for children and youth. She is
completing the first year of a two-year term with the Regina
Health District's Mental Health Advisory Committee and is
committee secretary.
Nancy Masuskapoe
Masuskapoe brings the perspective of a professional, Aboriginal
woman with a continuous commitment to ongoing education. She also
brings the experience of a person with family member who has been
diagnosed with schizophrenia. Masuskapoe has a social work
background. Masuskapoe has worked in Northern Saskatchewan.
Helene Dorsch
Dorsch graduated from the Saskatchewan Hospital Weyburn in 1962.
She received her RPNAS (SPNA) registration and worked as a senior
nurse and nurse III at the Weyburn Psychiatric Centre, then
Weyburn Mental Health Centre for 22 years. In 1984, she relocated
to Moosomin as a CMHN. She has lobbied for changes in the Mental
Health Act, integration, co-ordination and assessibility of mental
health services. She is presently serving a second term as a
member of the Pipestone District Health Board.
Shirley Skelton
Skelton is a retired registered nurse. She is a member of the
Saskatoon Mental Health Advisory Committee, a board member of the
provincial Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan, and a executive
member of Saskatoon Chapter of Schizophrenia Society. She is also
on the following planning committees: Living with Mental Illness
(workshop for families and friends); Schizophrenia 96 (seminar for
psychiatrists and others); Western Canada Conference on
Psychiatric Rehabilitation.
Remaining Members:
Eric Braun (Chairperson) - Saskatoon
Braun was re-appointed by the minister as chairperson for his second
year. Braun was elected to the Saskatoon Health Board in 1995.
Anita Jackson - La Ronge
Dr. Robin Menzies - Saskatoon
David Nelson - Regina
Audrey Roadhouse - Regina
Myrtle Surjik - Regina