Province Releases Report on Mental Health Services

HEALTH Province Releases Report on Mental Health Services

A report reviewing mental health services in Nova Scotia was released today, and it supports more community-based mental health services and an increased focus on services for children and youth.

"Our goal is to have a better distribution of mental health programs and services across the province," said Health Minister Jamie Muir. "The timing of this report will give us a unique opportunity to better integrate mental health services within a community-based health care system. Consistent with government's commitment to a comprehensive mental health service's review, staff will begin developing an action plan for implementing these recommendations, including the provision of an annual report to track our progress."

Recommendations are being considered within the context of the clinical services plan, the move to district health authorities, and the budget. The report has also been sent to the departments of Justice, Education and Community Services for discussion and action.

The report identified many strengths in the current system, including the recognition that Nova Scotia has been a pioneer in community-based mental health with many patients treated in their own communities.

Strengthening community health boards was also identified by the reviewers as a positive step, particularly because of strong community interest in mental health programs and services.

The review team recommends that an earlier report, titled A New Step Forward, a review of children's mental health services in Nova Scotia, be accepted as the primary document for the development of children's and youth mental health services. The Child and Youth Action Committee, an interdepartmental committee focused on child and youth issues, will be acting on this report under its current action plan.

Several issues were identified in the report, including the need for more consumer participation in the development and implementation of mental health programs and services. The department has made significant efforts in the area of consumer participation, including consumer representation on the Provincial Mental Health Steering Committee, as well as encouraging health care organizations to include consumers in the planning and evaluation of regional mental health services. The report supports this direction and the department will continue to build on these efforts.

Better support services in the community for mental health patients, particularly housing, were identified as an issue, and the departments of Health and Community Services will be working to address these needs, including supportive housing programs.

Other issues identified in the report include the need for additional funding to achieve integration, better communication and co-ordination of services between government departments, and the need to recruit and retain more mental health care professionals.

The report was prepared by Dr. Roger Bland, a psychiatrist who chairs the department of psychiatry at the University of Alberta, and Dr. Brian Dufton, a clinical psychologist with the Western Regional Health Board. The review team toured Nova Scotia in March, met with almost 300 people, and received more than 125 written submissions.

The report has been posted on the Department of Health website at www.gov.ns.ca/health .