Respond to Recommendations from the All Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

On the release and review of the recommendations of the All Party Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, our Government will transform the way mental health and addictions services are delivered. This will involve enhancing access to community-based services and improving access to acute care services, when and where they are required across the province. We are preparing to respond to the recommendations of the All Party Committee to address gaps in our system, strengthen existing programs and services, and break down the barriers of stigma and timely access. By June 30, 2017, our Government will present a multi-year plan to support implementation of the All Party Committee’s recommendations.

What We’ve Accomplished:

The All Party Committee’s Report on Mental Health and Addictions was released on March 24, 2017. 255 residents and 65 stakeholder groups participated in the 15 consultation sessions held by the Committee throughout the province. The Committee’s recommendations address system gaps, strengthening existing programs and services, and breaking down the barriers of stigma and timely access.
On June 27, 2017, the Provincial Government released Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador a multi-year action plan to implement the Committee’s recommendations on June 27, 2017. The Multi-year plan sets out short, medium and long-term goals to ensure implementation of all 54 recommendations contained in the All Party Committee Report on Mental Health and Addictions. The Action Plan includes a number of initiatives aimed at redesigning the current provincial mental health and addictions system into one that is person-centered, recovery-oriented, and responsive to individuals and families when and where needed.
On December 20, 2017, the Provincial Government released its six-month update of the Towards Recovery Action Plan.
Over the past year, the following actions have been taken:
- On February 21, 2018, the Department of Health and Community Services hosted a general education session on Seniors Mental Health with representation from government policy makers, regional health authorities, and community agencies. The education session included topics on the understanding of aging and mental health, stigma and ageism.
- On March 15, 2018, the Provincial Government launched a new version of Bridge the gApp, a responsive website that assists individuals to navigate mental health and addictions programs and services. Webinars were held to promote the new website to the Towards Recovery Network membership, which includes but is not limited to, primary healthcare providers, regional health authorities, teachers and guidance counselors, community partners, and other stakeholders.
- On March 15 and 16, 2018, the Department of Health and Community Services hosted LGBTQ2S workshops with representation from government policy makers, Regional Health Authorities, and community agencies.
- On March 29, 2018, the Provincial Government announced the plan for the replacement of the Waterford Hospital as well as new community-based services located throughout the province. The new 94-bed, state-of-the-art mental health and addictions facility will be built on the Health Sciences Centre campus and will be connected to the existing hospital with site work expected to begin in summer 2019. The new facility will be home to a redesigned mental health and addictions program with in-patient services offered such as: short stay treatment; adult acute care; geriatric assessment and treatment; treatment for those with eating disorders; and, forensic mental health assessment and treatment. In addition to the new facility in St. John’s, a six-bed mental health unit will be established in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and two new permanent psychiatrists will be recruited for that region. A series of community-based services will also be expanded to communities throughout the province. These services include assertive community treatment (ACT) and flexible ACT teams, community crisis beds, 24/7 supervised living arrangements, and mobile crisis response teams. A Request for Proposals for the community crisis beds will be issued in April 2018 to engage a consultant to complete a needs assessment for each region of the province. Budget 2018 allocated $6.1M towards the replacement of the Waterford Hospital and to expand mental health community support services.