Mental Health Advisory Group Briefing to Stakeholder Summit 6 October 2016 Glynne Hines Veteran Co-Chair
Outline Mandate/Terms of Reference Membership Activity Summary Mental Health Centre of Excellence Education, Counseling, and Training Suicide Prevention Strategy Advice to the Minister Next Steps
Mandate Examine gaps and weaknesses in mental health support and services available to Veterans, CAF, and RCMP members and families; Prioritize advice to inform Minister s decisionmaking process; Inform VAC policies and programs; and De-stigmatize Veteran Mental Health issues.
Mental Health Advisory Group (MHAG) (1/2) Sapper (Retired) Aaron Bedard Michael Blais, CD, Canadian Veterans Advocacy Louise Bradley, Mental Health Commission of Canada Dr. Karen Cohen, Canadian Psychological Association Dave Gallson, Mood Disorders Society of Canada Sergeant Brian Harding Major General (retired) Glynne Hines Dr. Ruth Lanius, Western University
Mental Health Advisory Group (MHAG) (2/2) Warrant Officer (Retired) Brian McKenna Colonel Scott McLeod, Deputy Surgeon General, Canadian Armed Forces Robert O Brien, Canadian Association of Veterans in UN Peacekeeping Dr. Don Richardson, Canadian Psychiatric Association Dr. Patrick Smith, Canadian Mental Health Association Robert Thibeau, CD, Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones Co-Chairs: Joel Fillion (VAC) and Glynne Hines
Activity Summary Two face-to-face meetings Two teleconferences Creation of sub-group Various video conferences/consultation with experts Face-to-face meeting Draft concept paper Meeting of co-chairs Pre-briefing of Minister
CoE Essential Attributes/Criteria (1/2) Include an in-patient/residential care component* Include an outpatient component Be focused on recovery and prevention Include a comprehensive research capability Be scalable to meet the needs of the Veteran community Include complementary, non-traditional treatment alternatives Be culturally relevant and sensitive Include a peer-support component
CoE Essential Attributes/Criteria (2/2) Be multidisciplinary Be innovative in its approach to research and services Be accessible to all Veterans, their families, and support network Be Veteran-centric and integrate families into every aspect of care Conduct education and training Be under a strict governance model that includes at least 1/3 Veterans Be subject to rigorous performance standards and standards of care
SAMPLE FOR ILLUSTRATION ONLY Example Tiered Model of Care
Education, Counseling and Training Integral to the Centre of Excellence; Accessible to CAF and RCMP members, Veterans, their families, and support network; Supports public awareness and de-stigmatization.
Suicide Prevention One is too many statistics are required; A national issue Veterans need to be considered in the context of the civilian populace and the CAF populace; Other large organizations have models that can be adapted: consider the Zero Suicide Strategy" where the foundational belief of Zero Suicide is that suicide deaths for individuals under care within health and behavioural health systems are preventable. http://zerosuicide.sprc.org/ Comprehensive strategy is required share the joint CAF/VAC strategy under development.
Advice to the Minister Attributes and Criteria outlined for the CoE are the minimum expected by Veteran Community; Education, Counseling, and Training are integral to the CoE; Collect and analyze Veteran suicide data; Share the joint CAF/VAC suicide prevention strategy under development; Encourage the development of a national suicide prevention strategy; and Expedite release of the VAC Mental Health Strategy.
Next Steps Further develop and refine the CoE vision and concept: Recommend programs to be included; Improve advice on suicide prevention; Increase awareness to de-stigmatize mental health issues; and Review VAC Mental Health Strategy.
Questions and Discussion