Vote strategically to save mental health services, front-line workers say

NORTH BAY – Mental health care workers at North Bay Psychiatric Hospital are calling on Nipissing voters to vote strategically on June 3 to save mental health care.

"In the last four years, the most vulnerable people in our society have been brutally attacked by the Ontario Conservative government," said Tony Morabito, president of the union local for workers at the hospital. "As front line workers who know the suffering of people with mental illness, we are calling on our fellow citizens to defeat Mike Harris by voting strategically."

Morabito said his union, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, has adopted a voting plan that calls on voters to throw their support to Liberal George Maroosis in the Nipissing riding.

"George Maroosis is poised to win in Nipissing if he gets the support of all of us who oppose the destruction of mental health care," said Morabito. "I know this is a tough decision for a lot of New Democrats, but for people with mental illness, a Harris victory would be devastating."

In the last four years, mental health care spending has fallen from 12 per cent of the total health care budget to just nine per cent. The province is short at least 600 so-called "forensic" beds for people with mental illness who commit crimes. And as part of a plan to cut 2,000 of the province’s 5,282 psychiatric beds – a 38 per cent cut – the Tories will close North Bay Psychiatric Hospital.

OPSEU will host a rally for mental health care at the hospital at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon. Union president Leah Casselman will attend.

"The most vulnerable people in our society are ending up on the streets or in jail," said Morabito. "Words cannot describe their suffering. On June 3, please help them with your vote."

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For more information:

Tony Morabito (705) 474-3574 or (705) 498-0804 (cell)

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