Local Mental Health Branch President Comments On New Strategy

Last week was Mental Health Week, and it was highlighted with the unveiling of a new mental health strategy for Canada.

The report from the Mental Health Commission recommends significant funding increases from government and additional support for those suffering from mental illness.

Dave Spencer, the president of the Local Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, says this new strategy is very encouraging, and adds more and more people are now seeing how serious mental illness can be.

"Sometimes it's through the celebrities that have experienced the effects of mental health issues. That may be the hockey players that are dealing with severe concussion issues or it could be the returning soldiers who are suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome."

Spencer says his organization already receives support from the provincial government through the Cypress Health Region, but that only covers part of their annual costs.

"That funding probably comes fairly close to paying to our three staff members. In terms of the services they provide and the costs of those services we have to do a lot of fundraising"

Some of the C-M-H-A's annual fundraisers in Swift Current include the Mayor's Luncheon that was held on Thursday, and their Walkathon which will take place in the fall.

Dave Spencer Media Scrum: