Two letters to the editor published in yesterday's edition of
The Chronicle Herald:
More debate needed
In response to the May 22 story "Grit health plans welcomed," the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia supports the creation of a commission that will report directly to the health minister on mental health issues.
Most people don’t want to talk about mental illness. One in five Nova Scotians is living with a mental illness in any given year and yet mental health makes up only 3.5 per cent of the provincial health budget. In fact, less than half of Nova Scotians with mental illness receive adequate treatment.
Loved ones are often astounded by the surroundings in which their family members with mental illness are expected to heal and recover, as they would be considered unsuitable for individuals who are recovering from other illnesses.
We welcome more dialogue and debate on mental health from all the political parties leading up to June 9 and post-election. Nova Scotians with mental illness have been ignored for far too long.
Robert C. Hunt, CA, CIRP, Chair, Mental Health Foundation of N.S.
False message
Re: the May 21 story "Pensioners worry about safety in buildings."
Safety within public housing and the surrounding community is a concern shared by many in HRM. However, this article directly implies that individuals with mental illness are responsible for compromising the safety of others.
I believe this sends a false message to the public. People with mental illness actively contribute to their communities in countless ways and are generally more likely to become victims of unsafe environments, unlike this article suggests.
A multitude of social and individual conditions affect the safety and well-being of all residents, not only seniors. Poverty and other social issues greatly affect all of us.
As leaseholders who have abided by the same regulations as all other tenants of public housing, people with mental illness have the right to safe and affordable housing options. Marginalizing people with mental illness who are rightful tenants — as opposed to engaging them in developing creative solutions to these problems — is not going to meet the goal of a safer community.
Elaine Salisbury, Halifax
