The Mental Health Commission of Canada....back from the roundtable discussions....here's your update!

Last week approximately 30 people (by invite only) gathered with Howard Chodos, Director of the National Strategy, in downtown Toronto to have a round table discussion about the draft document recently released by the MHCC. As you'll see from my earlier posts you'll know I was one of those 30 invitees. I thought I'd just quickly touch base and give you a quick update on what that discussion was like and where I think this draft doc. will be heading.

It's funny to come to the realization that not everyone in the mental health community are on the same page. You'd think, that a group that wants, begs, has been clamouring for reformation, would have much common ground. What you think you'd see, isn't always what presents itself. Of course, most people there come with their own agenda and as we know we all want what we all want. What consumers want may differ from what families want which may differ from what the clinical community wants. It's a bit of a carousel. Then there is the wordsmith's exercise. The use of words such as "recovery" and terminology such as "circle of care" etc.

At the end of the day we can all agree on one thing, change needs to be made. Change must be made. The upside of the document is that families are recognised in Goal 4. Finally. It is my opinion that this goal will remain intact and in place in the document (remember, this is a draft and this roadshow was in part to help them edit, refine, remodel this doc, so things can disappear).

I did continue to press though for such things as access to the Compassionate Care Act as well as speaking up about access to appropriate treatments and medications. In addition to that I also managed to get in a comment about the inequities of the per capita funding in the GTA. Everyone wants their "stuff" to be included, reflected and validated during a process such as this one. All in all, I'm sure they got our message.

So now what? Ok, here's the thing. I think every single family member, including their family member who is affected by the illness of mental health, needs to get in to the action mode and start by writing, faxing or emailing both their federal and provincial representatives. At the end of the day, the biggest changes that will be effected will only come through ongoing public pressure. So write them, tell them, demand from them, pressure them....make them realize that changes need to be made. It'll really come down to us and how much work and time we are willing to put forth to make our legislators realize the need for change and a broadening of the system that is supposed to address mental health needs and issues all across Canada.

It starts with you.

Respectfully,
the ED