Current Events
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MSS Executive Director one of eleven non-governmental directors appointed to the newly created Mental Health Commission of Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba, August 31, 2007
MSS Executive Director and mental health advocate Chris Summerville is one of eleven non-governmental directors appointed to the newly created Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). The announcement was made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership Conference in Ottawa. Summerville will represent Manitoba as a non-governmental appointee.
Summerville says, “I am deeply honoured and humbled by this opportunity to represent the tens of thousands of Manitobans affected by mental illness and those who lobbied for the creation of the Commission. The Commission provides an opportunity to appropriately address the years of disparity, stigma and discrimination that have negatively impacted the lives of those with mental illness. Of all the G-8 countries, Canada is the only nation that does not have a national mental health strategy. For me this is not just a medical issue, but also a social justice issue about equality, justice and dignity.”
Peter Ostryzniuk, President of the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society says the main focus of the Mental Health Commission of Canada will be to improve the lives of Canadians living with mental illness. The Chair – former Senator Michael Kirby – who was named by the Government of Canada, as a non-governmental appointee has stated, “….the Commission will bring discussion of mental health issues more fully into the public eye. In particular, it will facilitate the development of a national strategy on mental health and encourage the exchange of information and collaboration across the mental health community through a knowledge exchange centre.”
One of the principal tasks of the MHCC will be to undertake a 10-year public education campaign to combat stigma and discrimination. “People aren’t just recovering from mental illness, but also the effects of stigma, discrimination and lack of full citizenship opportunities,” say Summerville who is also the Interim CEO of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada. “We know we can do a much better job at mental health literacy and in providing treatment, support and services for the one in five Canadians that will experience some type of mental health challenge in their lifetime.”
Summerville notes that Senator Kirby has stated that underlying the proposal to create the Commission is a vision for how to transform the organization and delivery of mental health services and supports in Canada. This vision is based on the belief that recovery is possible for people living with mental illness.
“To realize this vision,” Summerville says, “we must create what is known as a recovery-oriented mental health system.”
The Commission will operate at arms length from both government and existing mental health stakeholder organizations. The board will derive approximately one-third of its members from the federal, provincial and territorial governments, with the remaining two-thirds having no government affiliations or connections.
The Board will be assisted in its work by nine advisory committees. One of these will have representation from all 14 federal, provincial and territorial governments. The remaining eight advisory committees will each be composed of approximately six to eight individuals, and will be constituted as follows:
- An aboriginal advisory committee;
- A seniors’ advisory committee;
- A children’s and youth advisory committee;
- A workplace advisory committee;
- A family and caregivers advisory committee;
- A mental health care professionals advisory committee;
- A science advisory committee; and
- A mental health and the law advisory committee.
Senator Kirby in an article in the current issue of the Canadian Psychiatry Aujourd'hui writes, “The Commission can enable valuable experiences to be shared and best practices to be promoted. The Commission will work to challenge stereotypes and inspire people. It will lead the way in provoking a national dialogue about mental health and mental illness in Canada.”
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"I had just received my college degree in English when I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia. For a long time I couldn't concentrate enough to read. But, with my new medication, I can read again. I play the viola and love the Bach Suites." -Elizabeth MacDonell, Orchestra member. |
