What is the Minister’s Advisory Group?

The Advisory Group includes consumers, family members of individuals with mental health and addiction issues, health care providers and researchers from across the province.  Members bring a range of perspectives to the table; they have expertise in areas of mental health and addictions affecting children and youth, Aboriginal peoples, women, seniors and adults in the workplace.

The Advisory Group’s advice will help the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care lay the foundation for a 10-year mental health and addictions strategy. Through their expertise and careful guidance, Advisory Group members will identify opportunities for the Minister to strengthen and improve mental health and addiction services in Ontario.

Find out more about the Advisory Group’s objectives.

How is the Advisory Group different from the Select Committee on mental health and addictions?

Two groups will help the government create its 10-year mental health and addictions strategy :

1. The Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions includes representatives from all three political parties represented in the Ontario legislature. Learn more about the Select Committee.
2. The Advisory Group is composed of consumers, family members, health care providers and researchers who will draw upon their on-the-ground experience with mental health and addiction issues.

These committees work separately, but are complementary; input from both will be used to develop a long-term strategy for people living with mental health and addiction problems.

What are the Advisory Group’s priorities?

The Advisory Group has identified two main areas of focus :

1. How to redesign mental health and addictions services — including family care, community and hospital care — to best meet the needs of individuals.
2. How to create the necessary conditions in communities to reach optimal mental health and well-being.

In order to address these issues, the Advisory Group will focus on these five topics to help shape a 10-year Strategy :

• System Design
• Healthy Communities
• Consumer Partnerships
• Early Identification and Intervention
• Strengthening the Workforce

How will the Advisory Group learn about my perspectives on Ontario’s mental health and addiction issues?

1. Submit your thoughts via email to infoline@moh.ontario.ca.
2. Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) will also lead community consultations.
3. The Minister’s Advisory Group will lead a provincial consultation for provincial organizations and consumers and families.   
4. The Minister of Health will host a summit in July 2009 to bring together hundreds of Ontarians affected by mental health and addiction issues.

When we will see the results of the Advisory Group’s work?

To view PDF format files, you need to have Adobe Acrobat® Reader installed on your computer.    You can download this free software from the Adobe Web site.