6. Future Actions

The mental health issues as captured in this scan are diverse and reflect the concerns and perspectives of the four Atlantic provinces. While there are some issues, such as suicide in Aboriginal communities and disengagement and anger in African Canadian communities that are specific to geography or constituency, there are also issues that are broader in scope.

Out-migration coupled with low birth rates and rapidly aging populations have been long-standing issues of interest and concern to policy makers in the Atlantic region. However, there are three other significant areas to consider for the future with respect to mental health and mental illness. These are:

• the long-term impact of returning Armed Forces personnel to the region,
• the diminishing human resource capacity among mental health service providers, and
• the expanding immigrant base and the diversity of needs and issues brought by this population.

While delivery of health services is the responsibility of each province depending on their needs and their resources, respondents were clear that more collaboration and joint support is necessary, and even essential, to addressing effectively the mental health needs of Atlantic Canadians. Many highlighted the benefits of working together to build creative responses with limited resources.

For instance, respondents identified the housing and support model offered by the Stella Burry Corporation in St. John's as an example of an innovative approach to responding to the shelter needs of people living with severe and persistent mental illness. Other examples of programs that could be shared across the regions included the "Changing Minds" education and training program of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Newfoundland and Labrador Division.

6.1   Recommendations

Although this scan represents a snapshot of mental health in Atlantic Canada today, it supports and extends the knowledge and analysis of previous work and identifies some areas for further action. The evidence collected through the literature supports the priorities identified by the key informants and the epidemiology review.

As noted earlier, respondents strongly support efforts to work regionally on addressing gaps in research, policy, and programming and to build on the information collected and the trends identified in this scan.

The recommendations reflect the mandate of the Public Health Agency of Canada and its Atlantic Regional Office in building capacity, developing knowledge, and facilitating collaboration. We recommend that the Atlantic Regional Office of the Public Health Agency of Canada implement the following:

Building community capacity

• Support research and/or project development focused on innovative models of community-based mental health care service delivery that reflect the principles of population health, best practices, and evidence-based decision-making.

Developing knowledge

• Support the development of gender-sensitive and culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health promotion materials including French language work.
• Review existing and/or emerging mental health promotion, prevention, and recovery programs to address sensitivity and responsiveness to the concerns and perspectives of young people, seniors, immigrants, African Canadians, Aboriginal peoples, and women.

Facilitating collaboration

• Facilitate the building of information/knowledge transfer networks re: new and existing best practices and evidence-based models of mental health services in the Atlantic region.

6.2   Conclusion

Throughout the research process, we have found that Atlantic Canadians feel passionate about the issues of mental health and mental illness. Whether they are policy makers, service providers, families, or consumers, the people in this region believe that more needs to be done to help those affected by mental health and mental illness, given how these issues impact upon individuals, families, and communities. Despite limited resources, challenging economic environments, and increasingly diverse experiences and needs, there is also hope, creativity, and commitment. The challenges for the future in the Atlantic region will be to balance priorities, respect differences, and manage competing agendas so that good mental health is achievable for all Atlantic Canadians.

 

[Previous] [Table of Contents] [Next]