Transcript Vote4MHA Campaign - CFUW Ontario Council
Ontario Election 2011
Vote4MHA Campaign
Sheela Subramanian, Policy Analyst
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Ontario Mental Health and Addictions Alliance
Who Are We?
10 mental health and addictions organizations:
• Consumer/survivor • Family member • Community • Hospital • Children and youth • Addictions
www.vote4mha.ca
Addictions Ontario Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Children’s Mental Health Ontario Mood Disorders Association of Ontario Ontario Association of Patient Councils Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addictions Programs Ontario Peer Development Initiative Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences Schizophrenia Society of Ontario +Over 80 supporting organizations across Ontario
Our Goal
Make mental health and addictions a priority for the incoming government
o Party leaders/candidates hear that MH&A is a priority for Ontarians o Parties say how they will address the issues o Voters raise MH&A issues in their ridings o MH&A as part of election dialogue
www.vote4mha.ca
Why Mental Health & Addictions?
• • • Almost all Ontarians impacted Costs are high – Economic costs are over $30 billion in Ontario – Social and human costs immeasurable Critical gaps remain – Access to supports across Ontario – Wait times – Lack of leadership
www.vote4mha.ca
Asks to Ontario’s Parties
1. Ensure equitable access to mental health and addictions services and supports for every Ontarian 2. Reduce wait times for children and youth 3. Improve access to supportive housing 4. Establish strong provincial leadership to address MH&A across sectors and ministries
www.vote4mha.ca
1. Equitable Access to Services and Supports
•
Issue
MH&A services and supports are not available consistently across the province •
Action Required
Invest in MH&A services to ensure access to core basket across Ontario to meet needs and reduce service gaps
www.vote4mha.ca
2. Reduce Wait Times for Children and Youth
•
Issue
70 % of adults with a MH issue experience first symptoms before age 18 •
Action Required
Reduce wait times to ensure the MH&A system is responding to the needs of kids and youth in a timely way
www.vote4mha.ca
3. Improve Access to Supportive Housing
•
Issue
People wait too long for the stable and supportive housing critical to recovery •
Action Required
Improve access to supportive housing
www.vote4mha.ca
4. Mobilize Leadership
•
Issue
MH&A involves multiple ministries and sectors, but coordination and leadership is lacking at gov’t level • •
Action Required
Put in place gov’t leadership to coordinate action across ministries and sectors. Consumers, families and providers must be involved in all aspects of the system
www.vote4mha.ca
GET INVOLVED
As an Organization
1. Join the Network of Supporters
• Over 80 orgs across Ontario
2. Speak to candidates – Election Kit 3. Local media outreach 4. Spread the word www.vote4mha.ca
Network of Supporters
As an Individual
1. Letter campaign
• 2 minutes to write to leaders and candidates
2. Spread the word 3. Speak to candidates
4. Vote!
www.vote4mha.ca