Public forum to discuss future of mental health services as more cuts to programs loom
London - The union representing employees at the psychiatric hospitals in London and St. Thomas will host a community forum to consult with patients, community agencies and the public on the future of mental health services in the London area.
Date: February 18
Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Place: Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Bristol Room
“There will be another major downsizing of beds and out-patient services at the two hospitals later this year,” said Warren (Smokey) Thomas, First Vice-President/Treasurer of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). “We’re concerned that services are not in place in the community to help the mentally ill when beds and
programs at the hospitals are closed.”
Admission to the forum is free. The public is welcome.
Speakers include:
- Brian Collins, London Police Chief
- Steve Peters, Liberal MPP, Elgin-Middlesex-London
- Roni Voight, Court Diversion Program
- Betty DeCosta, VON, Salvation Army and London Mental Health Alliance
- Warren (Smokey) Thomas, First Vice-President/Treasurer, OPSEU
The moderator is Irene Mathyssen, the NDP candidate for London-Fanshawe.
In June of 1998, then Minister of Health Elizabeth Witmer told the Ontario legislature, “Until such time as we have the services and programs that we feel are going to respond to the needs of the individuals in the psychiatric hospitals, there will be no further closure of those beds.”
In November, OPSEU released a report, Reality: Ontario’s Mental Health Care System isn’t Working, on cuts to mental health services across Ontario, available at http://www.opseu.org/bps/health/mental/index.htm
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For more information:
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, (613) 329-1931 or (416) 443-8888 ext. 303
Lois Hunter-Quesnel, (519) 659-0513 or (519) 476-8453
