Ontario Election 2007: Supporting the full inclusion of people with mental illness and addiction

Ontario Election 2007: Focus on Addiction and Mental Health

Consumer/survivor initiatives (CSIs) can and should play an integral role in the mental health and addiction sector. As supports and services run for and by people who have experienced mental illness and addiction, CSIs embody the principles of inclusiveness and recovery. Consumer/survivor organizations, which range from self-help and peer support groups to alternative businesses, contribute to a reduction in the use and cost of mental health and addiction services. Participants in CSIs are proven to spend less time in hospital, use fewer crisis services and experience easier transition into community living.(10) In addition, CSIs offer employment and training to people who were previously seen as unemployable.

We recommend that the provincial government:

• mandate the inclusion of consumer/survivors in the planning, operation and evaluation of all mental health and addiction services

• significantly increase consumer/survivor initiatives’ funding to support existing initiatives and to expand the types and numbers of programs offered by consumer/survivor initiatives.

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