News Releases    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2003

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

Penetanguishene - The union representing employees at the Mental Health Centre, Penetanguishene and Oak Ridge Division will host a community forum on the future of mental health services in the region.

Date: Tuesday, March 25
Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Place: Bay Moorings Yacht Club, 200 Fox Street, Penetanguishene

“Under the government’s restructuring of mental health services, patients are being discharged from the psychiatric hospitals faster,” said Warren (Smokey) Thomas, First Vice-President/Treasurer, of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

“We’re concerned that the supports aren’t in the community to help our patients,” said Thomas.

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

Speakers include:

· John McCullough, Chair, Central East Mental Health Implementation Task Force
· Lorna Tomlinson, Executive Director, Wendat Community Psychiatric Support Program
· Paul Hamelin, Chief of Police, Town of Midland
· Warren (Smokey) Thomas, First Vice-President, OPSEU

The moderator is Bill Playter, vice-president, OPSEU Local 307. The forum is being sponsored by OPSEU Locals 307 and 329.

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:

Warren (Smokey) Thomas, (613) 329-1931, o