Quebec organizations calling for better access to mental health resources
A group of community organizations are calling for Quebecers to have better access to mental health resources other than hospitals and psychiatry on the occasion of World Mental Health Day on Monday.
Several dozen people gathered in the October cold in Square Saint-Louis, in Montreal's Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, in an event organized by the Quebec group for alternative mental health resources (RRASMQ).
It is necessary "to significantly increase the budget of the public mental health network so that there is quality care and support that is quickly accessible," said Anne-Marie Boucher, co-responsible for political action at the RRASMQ.
The public system, "at the moment, looks like waiting lists, it looks like being condemned to wait, unless there is a real emergency situation," she said, adding that even in these cases, "it is not said that we will receive support quickly."
She also called on the government to better support community groups that have an "alternative" approach.
In these psychosocial resources, "we deal with the crisis, the difficulties, the intensity in a different way than in hospital, without violence, without coercion, without a diagnosis, with a global approach that takes into account the history of the person, their traumas, their experiences, that takes the time to listen, to welcome, that considers the person as an equal," she said.
She said, however, that before all of that, the housing crisis and poverty issue must be tackled head-on.
"Having decent living conditions "allows people to reduce their stress, to regain their balance, to have the means to take care of their mental health," said Boucher.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 10, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.