The Government of Saskatchewan has launched on online consultation tool to inform development of a provincial Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan to better meet the mental health and addictions support needs of clients and families.
"We want people to be a powerful voice for change in our health care system," says Health Minister Dustin Duncan. "We've seen the patient-first approach work time and time again. This is the same concept. We want to hear directly from people about their experiences with mental health and addictions services."
The online consultation tool allows people to anonymously provide input and feedback on what's working and what needs improvement in mental health and addictions services across the province.
"Whether you personally have experience with mental health or addictions services, or whether you want to contribute on behalf of someone you know, we really want to hear from individuals all across the province on this important issue."
Since June, Action Plan Commissioner, Dr. Fern Stockdale Winder has been working on the development of the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan.
"The consultation phase is critical to ensuring my recommendations reflect service needs identified by clients and family members," Stockdale Winder says. "It is my mission to hear from as many people as possible. Your voice will make a difference in improving mental health and addictions services in Saskatchewan."
The consultation results will aid in the development of the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan. Information collected through the consultation phase, which also includes in-person meetings, focus groups and one-on-one interviews, combined with research and best practice from other jurisdictions, will inform the plan.
The Action Plan is an inter-ministerial effort led by Health and includes the Ministries of Education, Social Services, and Justice including Corrections and Policing.
The online consultation which can be found at www.health.gov.sk.ca/powerful-voice will be open into December.
