Budget 2014 - Mental Health Missing In Action

OTTAWA, Feb. 13, 2014 /CNW/ - While the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) was pleased to see the federal government support research for Alzheimer's disease and dementia, CAMIMH was hopeful that Budget 2014 would advance three main priorities to support all Canadians in accessing mental health services and supports where and when they need them:

• Increase the proportion of health spending devoted to mental health from 7% to 9%.
  
  
• Increase the proportion of social spending devoted to mental health by 2% from current levels.
  
  
• Create a mental health innovation fund to be used to expand the role of primary health care in meeting mental health needs, set standards for wait times for community mental health services for people of all ages and improve access to necessary mental health services.

"The economy and all Canadians benefit from increased investments in mental health and illness" notes Dr. John Higenbottam, co-Chair of the CAMIMH. "As it stands, mental health issues cost the Canadian economy well in excess of $50 billion dollars annually."

Beyond increasing the overall transfers to the provinces and territories to support the delivery of mental health services, CAMIMH supports increased, sustained and dedicated funding to meet our moral and ethical obligations to veterans and military families. This commitment was not reflected in Budget 2014.

"We expect the best of our military families in upholding Canadian values around the world and they should expect and receive the best of Canada in return" states Dave Gallson, co-Chair of the CAMIMH."

About the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health
The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health is an alliance of mental health organizations comprised of health providers and organizations representing persons with mental illness and their families and caregivers.

SOURCE: Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health

Dave Gallson
Co-Chair, CAMIMH
[phone]
[email protected]