News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

September 22, 2021

Province Launches Community Roundtables to Develop Action Plan for Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery

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Government to Hear From People with Personal Experience as Well as Health-Care Experts: Gordon

The Manitoba government is launching community roundtable sessions and a public survey as it develops an action plan to guide a strong, co-ordinated system for prevention, treatment and recovery, Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery Minister Audrey Gordon announced today.

“Now more than ever, we need to respond rapidly and effectively to the evolving mental health and wellness landscape in Manitoba,” said Gordon. “To help us create an action plan to do that in a thoughtful and strategic way, we’re launching roundtable sessions in communities across our province. These consultations will build on the themes identified in the VIRGO report and other recent health system review reports. Now, we want to go beyond that, first by hearing what’s changed in the landscape because of the pandemic, and then delivering an action plan that moves the system forward.”

As a first step in the consultation process, the government asked the public and stakeholders to submit online pre-engagement feedback this past summer. Over the past few weeks, the government has heard from many people who had accessed mental health and substance-use services for themselves or loved ones. Often, the issues identified were around the barriers to accessing services such as availability and wait times. People also identified challenges navigating the system and finding their way to the right type of care.

Today, the province is launching an online survey to capture the input of Manitobans, as well as other people with lived experiences and people working in the mental health, wellness and recovery system. Additionally, between Sept. 20 and Oct. 5, the minister and provincial officials will hold roundtable sessions in Winnipeg, Selkirk, Brandon, Thompson and the Morden/Winkler area, and invite people who have direct experience with mental health and substance-use challenges as well as their families and caregivers. Invitations to these meetings will be sent in the days ahead. The minister will also meet with local partners, service providers and community leaders.

“The in-depth, expert conversations we are launching today, including the broad, online consultation with Manitobans on EngageMB,will give insightful information to build the action plan,” said Gordon. “We are determined to act quickly and decisively, and we plan to have a full roadmap to present to Manitobans late this year.”

Manitoba Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery was created in January 2021. The department creates a single ministry focused on the mental health, wellness and recovery of Manitobans. Its mandate includes mental health and substance-use policy, planning, program supports, funding and service oversight as well as broader health promotion and prevention programs that promote wellness.

For more information and to provide input on the action plan, visit https://engagemb.ca/mental-health.

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