C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. Responds to the 2018 Federal Budget

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.)  is pleased to see the Federal government take an important leadership role in meeting the needs of underserved populations with targeted investments in healthy workplaces, housing, the opioid crisis, cannabis education, Indigenous mental health, veterans, inmates and corrections and public safety officers. C.M.H.A. believes there is no prosperity without health and there is no health without mental health.

On Wednesday (Feb. 28), Dr. Patrick Smith, National CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association, recognized the effort by the Government of Canada to improve the existing healthcare system.

“We are pleased to acknowledge the federal government’s plans to create a national pharmacare advisory council to make sure we get the system right,” he said. “While C.M.H.A. applauds efforts to ensure medications are affordable, we underline that the existing system in Canada does not offer equitable access to all types of medications and mental health supports as it is, and we cannot afford to further shrink the list of available treatment options. A fair, effective system will be affordable, while also ensuring that the broad range of innovative medications, especially those for depression, will be available to those who need them.”

Furthermore, C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. commends the federal government for emphasizing the importance of strengthening the economy while leveling the playing field. We believe this will benefit women, new Canadians and Indigenous people.

Mark Graham, CEO of C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R., says the next step is to address the growing needs of our communities, with respect to homelessness and mental health concerns.

“In Ontario alone, 17,000 households are waiting for affordable housing while the current housing subsidies fall short of the average estimated rent costs in our coverage area. Additionally, the vacancy rate in Peterborough is only 0.8 per cent. The result? There are 119 actual homeless individuals, not including shelter and warming room numbers,” said Graham.

“The financial burden of mental illness is 1.5 times that of all cancers combined and seven times the burden of all infectious disease and yet, in Ontario, only 6.5 per cent of the $54-billion health budget is allocated for mental health and addictions. We need to continue our work to erase the difference between funding for mental health and physical health, in order to better address the needs of our communities, our province and our country.”

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For more information or media interviews, please contact Mark Graham, CEO of C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. at 705-748-6687 extension 1008 or email mgraham@cmhahkpr.ca.