Advocates call for strategy to deal with mental health system in N.S.

Published on October 1, 2009; Published on January 4, 2010
The Canadian Press ~ The News

Topics :: Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia , N.S. , Nova Scotia

HALIFAX - Mental health advocates in Nova Scotia say the province must do something to address a system in crisis.

They say a starting point would be the establishment of a comprehensive mental health strategy in order to better target resources and to support various treatment areas.

Dr. Stephen Ayer, executive director of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia, says the government has to help break the public silence on an illness that affects an estimated 181,000 people in the province.

Ayer says because of the stigma attached to mental illness, there has been no push from the public to focus on improving the system.

Health Minister Maureen MacDonald says there is no doubt the province has to improve its mental health services.

MacDonald says the government is committed to making mental health a priority and will move to lessen wait times for assessment and treatment.

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