Health Minister Dosanjh has made a great Mental Health Mental Illness Speech in Vancouver today.

 

Health Minister Dosanjh's Speech in Vancouver

INTRODUCTION

I am delighted to join you today.

And I was happy to accept the invitation from Michael Francis and his colleagues at the BC division of the CMHA.

Michael and I have a bit of history together - but I don't hold a grudge.

I've long since forgiven him for not accepting my own invitation a few years ago -- to run for provincial office.

It turned out to be a wise decision on his part!

In the meantime, he's continued to devote himself to public service of a different kind.

I salute him, and all of you here today, who are committed to reducing the impact of mental disorders including the stigma of mental illness.

I'm very impressed by the collaboration here among business and labour leaders, and by your list of patrons ? a veritable who's who of influential British Columbians.

** possible reference to your South Asia trip/experiences

Today, in keeping with the theme of your conference, I want to share some thoughts with you about mental health and illness issues in the workplace.

I'm here on behalf of the Government of Canada to tell you that your efforts ? and those of your CMHA colleagues, along with your many partners across the country ? have made an impact.

You have helped put mental health on the federal public policy agenda ? and on my personal agenda.

The profile of mental health issues has - it can be argued - never been higher.

In fact, it was included in the historic First Ministers' agreement that was signed last September.

I can also tell you that this is an issue to which I will be giving high priority.

As for my efforts, since becoming Minister, I have met with various organizations such as CAMIMH and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

I have met with leaders in the area such as Senator Michael Kirby and Former Finance Minister Michael Wilson.

And I have consulted with my department.

My remarks today will focus on the following:

What I know and I what I've heard about mental health; what the provinces are doing; what the federal government is currently doing; and how I'm planning to proceed.

My general today message is simple:

I intend to build on the good work being pursued by provinces and NGOs.

I want to enhance the national dialogue on mental issues.

I want to work closely with Senator Kirby as his Senate Committee completes their mental health report.

I want to help de-stigmatize mental health issues.

I want to better coordinate current efforts and the federal and provincial levels.

And I plan to actively pursue a more comprehensive, more integrated approach to better deal with mental illness in Canada.


CONTEXT: WHAT I KNOW

I first became personally aware of immense social cost and human toll of mental illness when I had the honour of serving this province as Attorney General.

The dockets of our courts ? British Columbia and right across Canada - bear sad witness to the number of people who have broken the law as a result of untreated mental illnesses from which they have sought relief through illicit drugs.

It is one thing, however, to identify the social symptoms and resulting costs of mental disease.

It is quite another to develop cures and solutions.

Everyone in his room knows full well that mental health and mental illness are complex topics with no simple solutions.

This very complexity is a disincentive to action, and an easy excuse for leaving many facets of this pressing issue overlooked or misunderstood.

But we have to act.

The statistics tell why:

WHAT PROVINCES ARE DOING

[I'm pleased to see that Brenda Locke, Minister of State for Mental Health and Addiction Services in British Columbia, is here with us today, because] This province, as an example, has made important strides since integrating mental health and addiction services in 2002.

Today in B.C., individuals with mental heath issues and often with burdens of substance abuse can be treated in health facilities and included in the regular health system.

The provincial government has also provided significant funding for new mental health facilities within each health authority.

And recently the province launched a fantastic new "Here to Help" website ? which will enhance the province's ability to provide the public with effective mental health education and assistance.

These kinds of best practices are evident across the country as well.

Other provinces are also leading the way.

Alberta, for example, has recently announced plans to move ahead with a mental health strategy.

Ontario has recently made a significant announcement to create new children's mental health programs.

And I have heard that Quebec is undertaking the development of a 2005-2008 mental health action plan.

I am encouraged by these and other efforts. I applaud my provincial counterparts for their leadership.

And I say to you today that I want to work with you.

To build on these efforts and better integrate the work all governments are conducting.


WHAT WE ARE DOING

Although delivery of mental health services is a provincial responsibility, there is a lot that the federal government can do in concert with the provinces and territories.

And we have acted.

Some examples include the following:

Mental health will also continue to be addressed as we proceed with work to develop an overall strategy on healthy living and chronic disease.

I should also highlight the excellent work at the federal level being carried out a Senate Standing Committee chaired by Senator Michael Kirby.

The recent interim reports released by Committee emphasize that mental health, illness and addiction are areas where a lot of work needs to be done.

Some issues raised in the reports have already been recognized by both the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada.

Particularly the fragmentation and lack of coordination of mental health policies and the impact of stigma and discrimination.

As we work to integrate mental health into this strategy, we are taking into account that mental health and mental illness are really two separate ideas.

As the European Union has said: "there is no health without mental health."

WHAT I'M GOING TO DO NEXT

Ladies and gentlemen, I fear I have used up far too much of your valuable time explaining what I know and what the federal government is doing.

Fine words and noble sentiments are never a substitute for action.

It is all too clear to me that I don't know enough and that the federal government is not doing enough.

I don't have all the answers. Quite frankly, I am not sure I even know all the right questions.

That is why I will have to rely on you and partners right across the country for advice and guidance.

While much work needs to be done, moving ahead I'd like to take a close look at 3 particular areas:

Further, as the country's largest employer, I want to assess what the federal government is doing to address mental health issues in the workplace.

Simply put, we need to lead the way.

In this context, I want you to know that I have requested that an interdepartmental task force be established.

The goal is to better integrate services and approaches between the various departments with a stake in the mental health file.

This group will include health, treasury board, justice, corrections, human resources and others.

This would be done in collaboration with the provinces and NGOs.

Related to this, I will soon send letters to my ministerial colleagues asking them to identify a senior official to help coordinate mental health related efforts.

This type of outreach and assessment will ideally feed into a comprehensive approach to better deal with mental illness in Canada.

To assist me with the assessment of what the federal government can do with respect to mental health and the workplace, I have asked The Honourable Michael Wilson, former federal Minister of Finance, to serve as a special ministerial advisor.

Michael, as you know, has become an outspoken advocate for mental health issues since losing his son to suicide.

His leadership and commitment in this area has been remarkable.

He has helped to shine a light on issues that historically haven't received enough attention.

And his guidance will be crucial with respect to deciphering next steps and options I can then take to my cabinet colleagues.

I want to thank him for accepting my offer. I'm looking forward to working with him.

I am also pleased to announce today that the CMHA's BC division has been successful in its application for just over $385,000 in funding from the Public Health Agency's Population Health Fund.

I share your hope that the multi-site pilot project "Strengthening Family and Youth Voices" will serve as a model for other communities across the country.

Congratulations.


CONCLUSION

In closing, maybe it's useful to remind people that Charles Dickens and US president Abraham Lincoln both wrestled with severe depression.

That the brilliance of scientist Isaac Newton shone through his struggles with bipolar disorder.

And that Winston Churchill battled the "black dog" of a mental illness while providing inspirational leadership throughout the second world war.

Even more powerful is the impact of individual Canadians in prominent positions who have had the courage to come forward and speak of their own challenges, or those of people close to them.

Rafe Mair has, for many years, talked about his battle with depression, lending his inimitable voice to the cause of de-stigmatizing mental illness.

And Lieutenant General Romeo Dallaire has become an inspiration to all Canadians in his openness about the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on his life and those of many who witness war.

These impressive, accomplished leaders are helping to teach us all that the face of mental illness is many faceted.

That anyone can be affected.

That mental disorders can be managed and better treated.

And that those affected can and do live productive and contributing lives.

Above all, their candor and openness is a lesson to all of us that mental illness can strike anyone.

The truth is we all have mental health needs, and are, at some times of our life, more vulnerable than at others.

Sometimes what makes the difference is simply knowing that we have the support necessary to cope with especially challenging circumstances.

I'd like to thank the Canadian Association for Mental Health for their leadership.

And I want to congratulate all of the participants in the room for their commitment to working together in pursuit of solutions to the challenges facing us all.

Thank you.

Health Minister's Press Release

February 4, 2005
For immediate release

VANCOUVER - The Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, Minister of Health, is pleased to announce the appointment of the Honourable Michael Wilson, former federal finance minister, as special advisor to the Health Minister on mental health in the federal government workplace.

The appointment is an important element in the renewed commitment of the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada, in collaboration with provincial/territorial and non-governmental partners, to address mental health issues, including mental health in the workplace.

Minister Dosanjh also announced that he has requested the formation of an interdepartmental task force to better integrate services and approaches between federal departments with a stake in mental health ? including health, treasury board, justice, corrections, and human resources. In addition, the Minister will soon formerly request his ministerial colleagues to identify a senior official within their departments to help coordinate mental health related efforts.

"As the country's largest employer, I want to assess what the federal government is doing to address mental health issues in the workplace," said Minister Dosanjh. "Simply stated, we need to be a leader and example for employers across the country."

Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State (Public Health), welcomed the announcement. "Mental health is a serious public health problem in Canada that often gets short shrift," she said. "This and other measures will help spotlight the issue and lead to actions that will help many Canadians."

Minister Dosanjh said Mr. Wilson will specifically assist him in the assessment of the government's approach to mental health within the federal workplace.

Mr. Wilson has been an outspoken and inspirational advocate of mental health issues since losing his son to suicide. In 2002, he was awarded the Special Recognition Award from the Canadian Psychiatric Association for "unwavering leadership to achieve the goal of Mental Illness Awareness Week." His remuneration will be at the rate of $1 a year, plus expenses.

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Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness & Mental Health (CAMIMH)
Press Release

Transmitted by CNW Group on : February 4, 2005 15:51

Mental health leaders applaud "first" for a federal health minister - "...Dosanjh's speech constitutes a major step forward...."

VANCOUVER, Feb. 4 /CNW Telbec/ - Federal Health Minister, Ujjal Dosanjh, today acknowledged that mental illness is a major cost to Canada's health care system. He said leadership is needed to fix the problem, and he called for inter-jurisdictional collaboration.

The Minister was speaking to the Bottom Line Conference on workplace related mental illness and addictions at Vancouver's Convention and Exhibition Centre.

"The Minister acknowledged that mental illness ranks second only to cardiovascular disease in terms of direct cost to the health care system. This is a first for a federal health Minister," said Dr. John Service, Chairman of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH).

CAMIMH represents 15 major national mental health organizations that are committed to reducing the prevalence of mental illness.

"Minister Dosanjh's speech constitutes a major step forward in addressing a long-neglected problem. His public recognition that the prevalence and cost of mental illness is on par with other major diseases cannot be underestimated," said Dr. Service.

"We will help the Minister to advance the agenda outlined in his speech."

Specifically, Dr. Service applauded the following commitments made by Minister Dosanjh:

"CAMIMH believes that strong leadership is the only way to correct systemic problems and to secure help for those who need it. We believe that Minister Dosanjh has shown that leadership, and we support him," said Dr.
Service.

The 15 member organizations of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) represent all elements of the mental health continuum. Its members are: Autism Society of Canada, Canadian Association for
Suicide Prevention, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, Canadian Association of Social Workers, Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian Psychiatric Association, Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation, Canadian Psychological Association, Mood Disorders Society of Canada, National Network for Mental Health, Native Mental Health Association of Canada, Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada, Schizophrenia Society of Canada

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