Released on October 21, 2013
Be a Powerful Voice for Change
Today the Government of Saskatchewan launched on online consultation tool to inform development of a provincial Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan to better meet the mental health and addictions support needs of clients and families.
“We want people to be a powerful voice for change in our health care system,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said at the launch of the tool at City Hospital in Saskatoon. “We’ve seen the patient-first approach work time and time again. This is the same concept. We want to hear directly from people about their experiences with mental health and addictions services.”
The online consultation tool allows people to anonymously provide input and feedback on what’s working and what needs improvement in mental health and addictions services across the province.
“Whether you personally have experience with mental health or addictions services, or whether you want to contribute on behalf of someone you know, we really want to hear from individuals all across the province on this important issue,” Duncan said.
Since June, Action Plan Commissioner, Dr. Fern Stockdale Winder has been working on the development of the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan.
“The consultation phase is critical to ensuring my recommendations reflect service needs identified by clients and family members,” Stockdale Winder said. “It is my mission to hear from as many people as possible. Your voice will make a difference in improving mental health and addictions services in Saskatchewan.”
The consultation results will aid in the development of the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan. Information collected through the consultation phase, which also includes in-person meetings, focus groups and one-on-one interviews, combined with research and best practice from other jurisdictions, will inform the plan.
The Action Plan is an inter-ministerial effort led by Health and includes the Ministries of Education, Social Services, and Justice including Corrections and Policing.
“The Canadian Mental Health Association is pleased that the Action Plan is seeking out the experience of clients and caregivers with mental health and addictions services,” Canadian Mental Health Association Board President Bill Pringle said. “We support the ability for clients to relate their own perspective on service needs, and are confident that they will empower individuals who sometimes are not heard.”
The online consultation which can be found at www.health.gov.sk.ca/powerful-voice will be open into December.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-3594