News Releases    

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2003

Public forum in Thunder Bay to talk about the future of mental health services

Thunder Bay - The union representing employees at Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital will host a community forum on the future of mental health services in the northwest when the hospital is closed.

Date: Thursday, March 20
Time: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Place: Prince Arthur Hotel, Thunder Bay

“We know that the government’s plans to close Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital will have a devastating impact on mental health services in our region,” said Diane Muller, the forum’s organizer and its moderator. Miller has been a registered practical nurse for 23 years at the hospital and is a member of Local 720, of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

“We continue to ask: where will our patients go for treatment and service when our hospital closes?” said Muller.

Admission to the forum is free. The public is welcome.

Speakers include:

· Helen Tucker, Schizophrenia Society of Ontario
· Tammy, Patients Council, Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital
· Trevor Giertuga, Councillor, Thunder Bay City Council
· A representative from the Thunder Bay Police Association
· Nancy Pridham, Executive Board Member, OPSEU

On June 3, 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. The report details cuts to mental health services across Ontario and is available at http://www.opseu.org/bps/health/mental/index.htm  

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For more information: Diane Muller, (807) 767-2150 or (807) 343-4385