Grit health plans welcomed

An article published in today's edition of the Chronicle Herald:

Agencies agree with party’s proposals on mental health issues, tobacco taxes

By John McPhee, Health Reporter

Health organizations applauded some of the proposals in the Liberal party’s election platform released Thursday.

The Liberals say they’ll create a commission that will report directly to the health minister on mental health issues. The commission would include academics, professionals, clients and family members.

That would be a good thing, said Carol Tooton [pictured], executive director of the Nova Scotia division of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

While there is a provincial mental health steering committee, it hasn’t met for a year, she said Thursday.

Ms. Tooton also agrees with the Liberals that the province falls short on mental health services.

"Absolutely," she said.

"The funding of mental health is less than four per cent of the total budget. And we have 20 per cent of our population who may be requiring those services."

To read the entire article, please click here.

Posting of this article does not imply endorsement of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party by the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia.