This past week at the office was fairly quiet with one noted exception: I had the opportunity to attend a lunch for the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions. The lunch served a two-fold purpose: to mark the end of the interviews with individuals, organizations, health care workers and families who all have an interest in mental health and addictions; to map out the next steps the Committee would take in addressing themes and patterns that emerged from these meetings over the past several months.
The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long Term Care, was present and listened attentively to the Committee members as they shared their observations about various interviews, as well as ideas for the two reports that will be compiled over the next few months. The first will be an interim report that will briefly delve into possible directions and approaches that the second report will explore in greater detail.
The Committee had decided on two reports to allow more time and consideration in the recommendations that will be included in the last report. The reasoning behind this was that hopefully the recommendations would be able to address some of these complex issues in the most comprehensive way possible. All in all, the meeting ended on an extremely positive note with all the members looking forward to the upcoming reports and their next Committee meeting.
I can’t say enough about how much I have learned about this Committee since the commencement of my placement. Whether attending meetings, reading transcripts, books or reports related to mental health and/or addictions, the kind of exposure I have had has been incredible. What I have found particularly inspiring is that all of the members, no matter their political affiliation, have banded together to try and address, in some small and concrete way, the myriad of issues relating to mental health and addictions that afflict thousands of Ontarians each year.
I am looking forward to reading the two reports and, of course, the next Committee meeting.
OLIP Unplugged 