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Opposition welcomes new Mental Health Act December 7, 2006 Yvonne Jones, Opposition Health Critic and MHA for the District of Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair, says she welcomes the new Mental Health Act which was recommended by the Reid / Power Inquiry over three years ago. While Jones welcomes the new legislation, she is concerned that financial resources are not being allocated to provide adequate services for people with mental illnesses. "Three years after the Reid – Power inquiry, the new Mental Health Act is welcome legislation in the House of Assembly," said Ms. Jones. "The legislation will offer a community treatment component to bridge the gap between institution and community. This was raised as a major issue during the Reid-Power inquiry, and as Norman Reid’s case identified, he was released into a less than adequate environment, a home with no electricity, a stove without oil – just a candle and lantern, no adequate footwear and no comfort or support around him. The community treatment component will require resources such as mental health nurses, case management specialists and psychiatrists to become directly involved in such cases." While Jones believes this legislation is positive news, she still has concerns on aspects of the Act and whether it will be far reaching enough. "The legislation alone does not solidify a full solution in dealing with mental illness. In fact, in order for it to work in practice, the resources have to be there to make it happen. There needs to be more mental health nurses and psychiatrists in the various regions of the province. For example, in regions such as the northern peninsula and southern Labrador, there are no resident psychiatrists. Currently, in all regions there are shortages of professional positions needed to provide these services. "We also have to ensure that the proper drug therapies are available. The schizophrenic society and others have been asking the government to add new schizophrenic drugs to the formula. These drugs are already available in most provinces of Canada, but not Newfoundland and Labrador. This issue must be addressed. "I am hopeful that government will use this piece of legislation as a starting point to significantly address issues being faced by mentally ill patients in this province. This Act is a step in the right direction, however, more must be done."
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