Comprehensive Mental Health Reform - An Idea for the Times

“I think the opportunity, with this look at how we spend our dollars and ... talk about doing (things) differently, is: set some goals for ourselves and redesign. It’s tough, right, because that’s real change. Real change is really hard to do, but I think it’s possible and I’m hopeful that we take that opportunity.”

 

Mental health isn't just about illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder - it touches on cognition, the ability to learn, social interaction, resiliency, productivity, innovative ability.  There's some relevance for all those fields in today's society.

 

Poor mental health is manifesting itself across the board; family stress, workplace stress, more hours worked with less to show for it, more people in the hospital, on medication or simply spiraling into anxiety and depression. 

 

This isn't about pandering to weakness or discouraging people from "being tough" any more than health and safety standards were about giving in to whiny employees.  For people to get the most from society and contribute to their maximum potential, we have to stop designing square peg infrastructure and cognitive labour models and trying to wedge rounded folk into them.  The right tool for the right job; the right training and accommodation for the times.

 

I'm very encouraged to see Minister Hoskins discussing this.