Letter to the Editor
St. Thomas Times Journal
July 22, 2005
Patient Advocate Office Applauds Decision
RE: "Funding increases access to mental health programs" (July 15, 2005)
The Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office applauds the government's decision to invest in the expansion of community-based mental health and addiction services.
The proposed plan will make an important contribution to the development of a seamless and locally responsive service delivery system.
The continued support and enhancement of a broad array of treatment, rehabilitation and support programs across Ontario is pivotal in assisting individuals with mental illness in their recovery and community re-integration.
We share Health Minister George Smitherman's concerns regarding stigma reduction and agree that the availability of needed and wanted services is an important step in reducing the negative impact of mental illness.
We would ask that the government now consider the importance of community-based advocacy and rights protection in the context of its clear commitment to mental health reform.
Rights protection and advocacy services are integral components of a comprehensive, community-based mental health system; such services empower and assist consumers in addressing quality of care, life and rights-based issues arising from their treatment and rehabilitation, whether in hospital or community.
David Simpson
Acting Director
Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office
Toronto
