Wonderful to join fellow citizens in tribute to our first responders at the Royal Canadian Legion Mt. Arrowsmith Branch 49 in Parksville on Sunday afternoon. Emergency paramedics, wild fire firefighters, RCMP, firefighters, coast guard and search and rescue responders were honoured with an afternoon of BBQ, team games and fun prizes by the Legion. Thanks so much to the Executive, staff, volunteers and members for giving a grateful community a chance to honour our first responders while having fun and fellowship together on a beautiful afternoon!
Mood Disorders Society of Canada Meeting
It was a privilege to meet with representatives from Mood Disorders Society of Canada recently in Ottawa to discuss the important role of community organizations and peer support workers in helping Canadians with mental illnesses. They spoke about how the chronic underfunding of Canada’s mental health sector limits the ability of non-profit organizations to expand services and meet growing demand. We agreed that investing in community mental health organizations could reduce pressures on the healthcare system and help Canadians who are struggling. Finally, we talked about my Private Member’s Bill, C-414, which is pushing for parity between physical and mental health in our universal, public healthcare system. Canada is facing a mental health crisis and it’s clear we need systemic change so everyone can access care when they need it most.