NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2002HSER0037-000530 March 15, 2002		Ministry of Health Services
$263 MILLION DEDICATED TO MENTAL HEALTH

VICTORIA – The government is dedicating $263 million over the next six years to revitalizing mental health services and delivering better care to people with mental illness, Gulzar Cheema, minister of state for mental health, announced today.              

 

"We committed in our New Era platform to fully funding and implementing the $125- million mental health initiative, and we are honouring that commitment," Cheema said. "The mental health community has clearly identified a need for a progressive strategy that puts patients first. Today we are delivering on that plan.

 

"In addition, we have provided for a further $138 million in capital funding over five years to support the mental health initiative, for a total commitment of $263 million. Our priority is to shift away from an institutional system of treatment to one that gives patients the care they need in a community setting. This investment will help provide the new mental health beds needed to deliver these community-based services."

 

The $125 million in annual operational funding for mental health services will be implemented over six years, beginning with $18 million for community mental health and psychiatric services in 2002-03.

 

The further $138 million in total new capital funding will be implemented over the next five years. This includes the $20 million allocated by the government in August for three new facilities in Kamloops that will provide a total of 84 new beds: 44 acute-care beds and 40 rehabilitation beds.

 

"People stay healthier and live better lives when they are close to their own communities and families," said Minister of Health Services Colin Hansen. "Relocating treatment facilities to communities around the province will help people living with mental illness to thrive."

 

            The Ministry of Health Services works with health authorities, consumers, families, advocates and health-care professionals to ensure mental health services are effective and accountable.

-30-

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.