“Mental Health is Wealth!” The Green Party launches platform that addresses the mental health impacts of racism

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Social, economic, political factors, and now the most recent global pandemic have negatively shaped our current conditions. What we are seeing now more than ever is that inequalities in these conditions can lead to inequalities in health. The impact of these experiences can lead to chronic stress and trauma, and there is growing evidence of the negative effects of chronic stress and experiences of trauma on mental and physical health; these effects can be felt by individuals, families, and communities across generations.

The pandemic has further increased the demand for mental health services and there is a well-documented rise in addiction rates and deaths from opioids, isolation, loss of income, and simple fear of illness. Many people are facing increased levels of alcohol and drug use and anxiety. These and other factors have all contributed to our current mental health challenges.

The Ontario government is not providing the resources needed to adequately address the current crisis. Our government has ignored and dismissed evidence that good nutrition, exercise, access to nature, and a safe place to live and work go a long way toward helping us stay healthy. It is because of this that wait times for necessary services continue to increase. This lack of access to mental health care will lead to larger and more expensive problems down the road.

The Green Party has been working on a surmountable solution to this problem. They believe that mental health begins with a preventive approach, and they have launched a new mental health platform, which includes policies to address the mental health impacts of racism and how they disproportionately impact black communities.

On the website (gpo.ca/mentalhealth) they outline ten priorities for providing affordable, accessible, and comprehensive mental health care for all Ontarians:

1. Expand access to mental health and addiction care under OHIP
2. Increase mental health and addiction spending to 10% of our health budget
3. Develop a dedicated 3-digit crisis response line and health-focused crisis response teams to respond to mental health and substance related calls
4. Reduce waitlists to 30 days or less for children’s mental health services
5. Support Indigenous-led clinics and healing programs for mental health
6. Create a dedicated Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions
7. Decriminalize drug use, expand safe consumption sites, and shift funding from the justice system to healthcare
8. Build 60,000 permanent supportive housing spaces with wrap-around mental health and other supports
9. Enhance mental well being with connected communities and expanded access to nature trails, parks and protected green space
10. Invest in more Youth Wellness Hubs and community centres that offer access to local mental health services, spaces for social interaction, and supports for families

I had an opportunity to speak with the Leader of the Green Party MPP Mike Schreiner. He shared with me the reasons why they have put this plan forward.

“Mental health is health, and we felt it was important to put forward a strategy to ensure that we had comprehensive plans to support this holistic approach. We had to be honest about how to fund it. Parties put out big promises, with no way to fund it.”

“How did you tap into the African Caribbean community to find out what some of their challenges were,” I queried?

“We reached out to leaders in the Black community. We had a chance to consult with Joseph Smith, as well as Black Lives Matter Guelph. We reached out to people with lived experiences. It was important to hear the voices of people who are going through it (homelessness, mental health issues, drug addiction). I want to stay connected to the community, so I actively participate in Stop the Stigma rallies, engage in meaningful conversations, and attend community events. It takes time to build trust.

Targeting youth is another important focus. We have to start somewhere, and our youth are our future. We want to create a safe space that provides mental health support for them.”

MPP Mike Schreiner tells me that there has been a very positive reception so far. They have one MPP, and they want to get more. They are putting forward well-researched plans that are focused on solutions and not bashing other parties.