NDP reacts to a new report showing Liberals’ massive failure on mental health care « Canada’s NDP

NDP Mental Health and Harm Reduction critic Gord Johns made the following statement in reaction to a new report showing that 2.5 million Canadians aren’t getting the mental health care they need:

“Mental health is health. When you or someone you love needs care, you should get it. Cost-free.

Justin Trudeau and the Liberals promised Canadians they’d do better. Instead, they’ve let people down – Canada is doing three times worse on mental health than before the pandemic. Canada has a mental health crisis and care has been harder to come by as Canadians struggle to make ends meet. Too many go without the support they need because they can’t afford mental health services after paying for necessities like food and housing.

And the Conservatives would be no better, if given the chance, they’ll do what Conservatives do best. Cut. Cut health care funding and cut mental health supports.

Both hurt our communities, loved ones, and especially the young people in our lives. The situation is grim right now for people who need help, but things can change. Supports can be better, Canada can deliver free, universal mental health care. Part of Canada’s COVID recovery needs to be a better focus on mental health care.

New Democrats would make mental health a part of our universal health care system – so that you don’t have to pay out of pocket, we have a bill to do as much.”