NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2002HSER0029-000442 Oct. 30, 2001		Ministry of Health Services
MINISTER OF STATE ENSURES ADVOCACY FOR MENTAL HEALTH

VICTORIA – Minister of State for Mental Health Gulzar Cheema and Health Services Minister Colin Hansen announced today that, as a result of the creation of a minister of state for mental health, the contract of the mental health advocate will not be renewed after Nov. 30.            

 

"We have strengthened accountability for mental health services by designating a minister of state to provide a direct voice at the cabinet table for mental health priorities," Hansen said. "At the time the position of the advocate was created, the government did not have a minister of state with specific responsibility for mental health services - now we do." 

 

"One of the primary roles of the mental health advocate was to ensure proper co-ordination of services, through implementation of the mental health plan," Cheema said. "As minister of state, I am responsible for ensuring our government meets its New Era commitments for mental health, including our commitment to fully implement the mental health plan.

 

"I will continue representing the concerns of British Columbians with mental illnesses directly to cabinet and ensuring they receive the services and support they need," Cheema added.

 

            Cheema thanked former mental health advocate Nancy Hall for her work on behalf of service providers and mental health clients over the past 36 months.

 

            Clients or service providers can receive program information or provide feedback on programs and services directly to the mental health branch by calling 250-952-1629 (toll-free through Enquiry BC: from metro Vancouver at 604-660-2421 and from the rest of B.C. at 1-800-663-7867). The toll-free 1-877-222-0412 line at the office of the advocate will be transferred through to the Ministry of Health Services until the office closes.

 

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Contact:          

 

Communications Branch, Ministry of Health Services, 250 952-1887   

Visit the province's Web site at http://www.gov.bc.ca/ for online information and services.