A press release from the N.S. PC Party
HALIFAX: Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Nova Scotians should have equal, universal access to mental health and addiction services that can help them before they reach a crisis point.
Today, Tim Houston and the Progressive Conservatives Caucus put forward a comprehensive plan for mental health care, that is accessible to all and with fewer barriers than our current system.
“Nova Scotians struggling with their own mental health should have access to regular, reliable, publicly-funded solutions and treatments,” said Houston. “For me that’s not politics, it’s personal.”
The PC’s universal mental health and additions plan for Nova Scotia includes a department dedicated to addictions and mental health. This means that someone will be accountable to ensure that all Nova Scotians will have access to mental healthcare when they need it, the same way you are treated with a physical ailment.
In turn, a Minister of the Crown will oversee programs, wait times, professional recruitment and long-term funding separate from the current Department of Health.
The plan includes:
- A separate department dedicated to mental health and addictions.
- Opening billing codes to allow private practitioners to deliver their service to everyone.
- A 24/7 mental-telehealth service.
- A 9-8-8 mental health crisis line, separate from 9-1-1.
- Attracting new mental health professionals to Nova Scotia.
- Increased training options for health professionals and educators.
Universal coverage for Nova Scotians means that a PC government will introduce legislation to establish billing codes allowing approved mental health professionals to treat everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances.
“The world is different post COVID-19,” said Brian Comer, MLA for Sydney-Mira-Louisbourg and former mental health Registered Nurse. “While mental health concerns were prevalent prior to the pandemic, they have been even more exposed as a result of job losses, lack of social interactions, substance abuse and domestic violence.”
Statistics suggest that at least one in five individuals experience concerns with their mental health. To have one Minister responsible for a 45% of the budget, while 16 other ministers oversee the remaining 55%, with mental health spending equating to the size of the seventh largest department, suggests that no one is fully accountable for our province’s mental health.
“Additionally, we can all agree that we have a moral responsibility to our youth to invest in programs for their mental health and well being,” says John Lohr, PC Critic for Addictions and Mental Health. “That is why today, we are committing to build the most progressive mental health support system in Canada. It will save lives, and save us money.”
Studies show that funding for psychological services worth just over $1,000 will save $2 for taxpayers for every $1 invested.
“Our mental health and addictions plan includes telehealthcare, something we have been advocating for now for months,” says Houston. “This is part of our commitment to invest in Nova Scotians health. We have the opportunity to be a national leader in mental healthcare and this cannot wait.”
Stakeholder:
“Being an active advocate who has worked tirelessly for mental health issues for over 30 years, I feel ever so hopeful seeing Tim Houston taking the real need so seriously. It’s also very validating after preaching for these important changes for years to see these positive initiatives being put on the table. Mental health is a community responsibility and to see people getting on board is truly heartwarming, that years of advocacy hasn’t been in vain. Without good mental health, there is no health.”
-Sherry Blinkhorn, Past Vice President of Canadian Mental Health Association- Nova Scotia
