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:

1. 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.
2. 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).