The Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council (The Council) reports to the Minister of Health and Community Services (HCS). The Council advises on key mental health and addictions matters to formulate effective decision-making and policy development; and provides oversight to the implementation of the recommendations in Towards Recovery, the mental health and addictions action plan for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mandate:
- The Council will provide oversight for the implementation of the recommendations in Towards Recovery through a set of indicators that will measure process and outcome of the report’s recommendations.
- The Council will specifically advise the Minister of HCS on matters related to:
- the process and outcome of the recommendations of Towards Recovery;
- enhancing mental health and addressing/ preventing mental illness and problematic substance use;
- public awareness, education and anti-stigma efforts; and
- emerging priorities requiring immediate attention.
Members of the Advisory Council bring diverse backgrounds, knowledge and experience in the area of mental health and addictions. They include:
Sheldon Pollett, Interim Chair | Community Service Provider, Youth Service Provider |
Rita Notarandrea | National Representative-Addictions |
George Skinner | Advocate |
Mary Walsh | Actor/Advocate |
Peter Ralph | Lived Experience |
Des Coombs | Psychologist |
Michelle Kinney | Nunatsiavut govt; Northern representative |
Thelma Whalen | Education, Western region |
Ted Callanan | Professor, Psychiatry |
Paula Corcoran-Jacobs | Lived experience, Community Service Provider |
Angie Wilmott | Registered Psychologist, School guidance counselor |
Mark Gruchy | Community Coalition 4 Mental Health |
Dr. Greg Radu | Community Coalition 4 Mental Health |
Patrick Hickey | Advocate |
Lisa Browne | Community Service Provider |
Angela Crockwell | Community Service Provider |
To learn more about the Advisory Council and their most recent annual report, please click here (448 KB).