Candidates Forum on Mental Health and Substance Use Care

Nova Scotia College of Social Workers

Join us on Monday, August 9 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a virtual candidates panel on Mental Health and Substance Use Care.

<p>Presented by the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers, the Canadian Mental Health Association Halifax-Dartmouth Branch, and the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division, this virtual nonpartisan forum will provide all Nova Scotians with an opportunity to engage in a discussion with candidates representing the three main political parties, on how they will address the current challenges and opportunities in creating greater mental well-being, supporting access and addressing the social determinants of health in Nova Scotia for this provincial election and beyond.</p><h2>Party representatives:</h2><ul><li>NS Progressive Conservative Party - Brian Comer, Cape Breton East</li><li>NS New Democratic Party - Claudia Chender, Dartmouth South</li><li>NS Liberal Party – Zach Churchill, Yarmouth</li></ul><h2>Moderator:</h2><ul><li>Sean Ponnambalam, Chair, CMHA Halifax-Dartmouth</li></ul><h2>Format:</h2><p>Each party representative will have time to present opening remarks, followed by a moderated dialogue focused on a series of questions inspired by the policy analysis of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and their partners. </p><p>Questions for the candidates will be taken from audience members as time permits - so be sure to think about questions you may have in advance.</p><h3><strong>For more information, contact</strong>:</h3><p><strong>Nadia Siritsky </strong><em>(no pronouns preferred) </em></p><p>Professional Practice and Advocacy Consultant</p><p>Nadia.Siritsky@nscsw.org</p><h3><strong>For media inquiries, contact: </strong></h3><p><strong>Erin Christie </strong><em>(She/Her)</em></p><p>Communications, Marketing and Sponsorship Lead | CMHA NS Division </p><p>erin.christie@novascotia.cmha.ca</p><h2>Backgrounder:</h2><p>Many Nova Scotians are looking forward to seeing mental health-care reforms once the next provincial government takes office, 
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A poll released on July 29th by Narrative Research found that 98 per cent of Nova Scotians support increasing access to mental health services when the next provincial government takes office, including 78 per cent who completely support the next government taking action on increasing access. 
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There is a high need for Mental Health and Substance Use care in Nova Scotia as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic which has shaken our society. More people in this province have reported higher rates of anxiety levels than anywhere else in Canada, according to a national poll commissioned by Mental Health Research Canada. About 27 percent of Nova Scotians described their anxiety level as high since the pandemic began, a 20 percent jump from pre-pandemic levels. That’s five points higher than the national average of 22 percent who reported high anxiety levels during the pandemic. Also, about 16 percent of Nova Scotians have reported high levels of depression since the pandemic, more than double the pre-pandemic number of seven percent. That compares to 13 percent nationwide and six percent respectively. Alongside these numbers are also the long-standing calls by Black and Indigenous Nova Scotians for systemic reform to address both colonial and racist policies that continue to harm and impact both mental well-being and care.
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The World Health Organization recommends that jurisdictions spend at least 10% of total health spending on mental health care. Currently, Nova Scotia commits 6.3% (336 million). 
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