Writing a mental health and addictions strategy is, no doubt, a challenge. In fact, putting together a strategy for the entire province or country would seem insurmountable. And yet, recently Canada has seen three new strategies hit the stage – an indication that mental illness and addictions are quickly becoming a significant focus for Canada’s health care providers.
Finally! It has been said; there is no health without mental health. I couldn’t agree more. I am a survivor of a mental illness, and know well the struggles to get out of bed each morning. Finding the energy to get help and assistance can be—overwhelming.
Mental illness and addictions do not discriminate—they can affect everyone regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation. The reality is, if you are human and have a heart beat, you are at risk for developing a mental illness or addiction.
A formal strategy not only identifies mental health and addictions as a key priority, but also guides and aligns professional practices and interventions. The general outcome ought to be that people can enter into the mental health and addictions system easier, through more channels, and with better outcomes—after all, the entire health system is working together. You see, unlike other areas within the health care setting, having a severe mental illness or being addicted to a substance can affect many aspects of your physical health.
This is an opportunity for all health professionals to align together to improve conditions and outcomes for patients and their families! As health professionals have the knowledge and experience in the field, and will be implementing the strategy, this is exactly why health professionals representing each of the health disciplines need to be involved in the conceptualization and formation of these strategies.
While examining three different strategies (Alberta Health Services, The Ontario Government, and the Mental Health Commission of Canada), I must identify one player that stood above the crowd when it comes to including all voices in the process of forming such a vital document – The Ontario Government.
In December, 2010, the advisory group to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care released their recommendations for Ontario’s comprehensive Addictions and Mental Health Strategy. These recommendations were eighteen months in the making and involved consultation with key partners, key players, and most importantly, the people affected (directly or indirectly) with a mental illness or addiction.
HealthCPR would like to congratulate the Ontario Government for ensuring everyone had a voice in the creation of your strategy. Inclusion is the first step to a better mental health and addictions system.