Mental health and addictions online and in-person consultations

Among other things, the report pointed to the need for equitable care for patients with mental health issues and highlighted the importance of enhanced case management and coordinated care to address the needs of individuals with substance use issues and those with co-occurring substance use and mental health problems. [...] The qualitative consultations consisted of focus groups with clients of mental health and addictions services and their family members; interviews with First Nations and Métis clients of mental health and addictions services and their family members; interviews with identified subpopulations that were thought to be unlikely or unable to participate in the focus groups or the online questionnaire; [...] The stigma associated with mental health and addictions, combined with a general lack of understanding of mental health and addictions among the general public and even among service providers, as well as a lack of awareness of available services, are among the most important barriers to seeking care. [...] Accessibility to psychiatric services, services tailored to the needs of children and youth, the lack of autism care in the province when compared to other jurisdictions, and the need for emergency departments to better respond to patients with mental health issues were specifically cited as areas for improvement. [...] In accordance with the intent and philosophy of health care delivery embodied in the Patient First Review, the consultations were designed to gather the full range of client and family experience, as well as the perspectives of health care professionals engaged in the delivery of mental health and addictions services.