Media
11 August, 1999
St. Thomas Times-Journal
Action Needed, not a tour
Editor: Re: Homelessness right next door (published July 27, 1999)
The Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office (PPAO) is an arms-length program of the Ministry of Health which provides advocacy and rights protection services to patients in provincial psychiatric Hospitals and the newly established Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. The PPAO does not speak on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
Gar Knutson, MP for Elgin-Middlesex-London, has restated for us what we already know about the causes of homelessness and the characteristics of those who are homeless. We do not need more studies on homelessness or a minister to travel around and find out why people are homeless. What we need is action, funding and a desire to resolve the problem immediately. The human cost of homelessness is enormous and impacts society at large. But action with and on behalf of the most vulnerable among us seems to be a low priority for both governments and communities.
From the perspective of the PPAO, there are several issues which need to be addressed immediately to prevent the continued homeless population explosion in Ontario.
First, the government must adequately fund community based programs prior to the pending closure of the provincial psychiatric hospitals. Specialized mental health services must be available in a timely manner, be accessible to individuals within their own community and be delivered by qualified health practitioners who must meet accountability standards.
Secondly, income support payments and disability benefits provided by provincial and federal levels of government must be increased. People living in poverty, paying a disproportionate amount of their income for shelter, are often at risk of becoming homeless. For those who are ill, poverty increases stress and leads to mental and physical breakdown.
Lastly, we recommend that the health ministry develop and implement public health policy that focuses on a wellness model and which stresses the importance of good physical and mental health. Illness prevention and health promotion must be high on the agenda of all levels of government.
The federal government can help by putting in place a national strategy with respect to homelessness prevention. They may, however, first wish to review and revise those federal policies which increased the gap between rich and poor in this country, which deteriorated social housing construction and which started the burgeoning and downloading of government responsibilities. Homelessness is a complex issue which demands a multifaceted response. Let's start working on solutions today
Sincerely,
David Simpson
Patient Advocate
St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital
