ssc advocacy committee report - 2005-06

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SSC ADVOCACY REPORT

2005-2006Highlights

Background Papers

The medication paper was completed and sent to the provinces and SSC Boardfor feedback. The paper will be translated into French and posted on the SSCwebsite. Initial discussions have begun on development of a new Call to Action

Paper for Schizophrenia. Ryan Clarke, our advocacy consultant, will startdeveloping this paper. The family paper draft was sent to the SSC AdvocacyCommittee for comments and feedback. The SSC Board and the provinces willcomplete this paper for review by the fall of 2006.

Ad vo cacy St rateg ic Plan and Ini tiatives

In November 2005, Ryan Clarke from Advocacy Solutions was hired as aconsultant by SSC. In this role, Mr. Clarke has worked with SSC and the

Advocacy Committee on several initiatives including the development of a preand post election strategy, the National Pharmaceuticals Strategy, and the Kirby

Senate Report. On March 27 and 28, Mr. Clarke developed an advocacystrategic plan with members of the SSC Advocacy Committee and staff. Some of the key issues identified in the plan were access to treatment and medications,the Canadian Mental Health Commission and decriminalization. Specificcommunication tools were also identified to assist with the plan.

As part of the advocacy plan, SSC participated in federal reviews anddiscussions related to the Common Drug Review, Canadian Optimal MedicationPrescribing and Utilization Service and the National Pharmaceuticals Strategyconsultation process.

SSC had a letter writing campaign as part of the formal advocacy plan thatincluded communication in December and January with all federal party leadersand MPs to highlight the importance of mental illness issues and to determineeach partys position with respect to the establishment of the Canadian MentalHealth Commission, access to medications and timely access to treatment andservices. SSC also corresponded on these issues with the former federal LiberalHealth Minister Ujjal Dosanjh and with the current federal Conservative HealthMinister Tony Clement.


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The results of the letter writing campaign were:

February, 2006To: MPsFormat: Letter Content: Congratulations on election and introduction of SSCQuantity: 311Responses: 35

May, 2006To: MPs and SenatorsFormat: Letter Content: Endorsing Kirby Senate Report and encouraging them to support theestablishment of the Canadian Mental Health Commission by writing a letter tothe government.Quantity: 409Responses: 24

(As of June 21 st , 2006)

Kirby Senate Repor t

SSC Chief Executive Officer, Mary Jardine was present in Ottawa in May for theannouncement of the Kirby Senate Report: Out of the Shadow at Last:Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Services in Canada.

Nation al Caregiver Pro ject and Respite Survey

In November 2005, SSC presented the findings of the report on the RespiteNeeds of People Living with Schizophrenia that was funded by the J.W.McConnell Foundation at a meeting of the VON Care Renewal Project and theJ.W. McConnell Foundation. SSC also attended the National Caregiver Coalitionmeetings at this time. Florence Budden, SSC Advocacy Chair, represented SSCat both meetings. In April 2006, the report findings were released by SSC.

SSC will continue to participate as a member of the VON Care Renewal Projectand the Canadian Coalition of Caregivers. The organization will continue to workwith these groups to strategize on how to best utilize the respite survey anddevelop an action plan on meeting the respite needs of individuals living with

schizophrenia.


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Decriminalization

The SSC participated in the release of the Annual Report of the Office of theCorrectional Investigator of Canada to highlight the significant need for mentalhealth services, treatment and support for mentally ill offenders in the federalprison system.

John Gray, SSC President, has been working with a group of interestedindividual across Canada on a plan to deal with issues related to mental illnessand the criminal justice system.

Professional Advisory Committee

John Gray continues to look at membership for this committee.

Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH)

SSC continues to be an active member of CAMIMH. Mary Jardine and John Gray

represented SSC at meetings in 2005-2006. SSC participated in the followinginitiatives as a member of CAMIMH in 2005-2006: Mental Illness AwarenessWeek, the announcement of the Kirby Senate Report and the publication of CAMIMHS Framework for Action on Mental Illness and Mental Health:Recommendations For Action to Health and Social Policy Leaders of Canada for a National Action Plan on Mental Illness and Mental Health.

Issues/Challenges/Advocacy Opportunities for 2006-2007

1. Continue to move forward with advocacy strategic plan and advocacyinitiatives.

2. Continue to develop a relationship with the Conservative governmentincluding bureaucrats in various departments.

3. Development of a strategy to move respite survey research into a viableproject to meet the needs of individuals and families affected byschizophrenia. Continue to be a strong voice with the VON Caregiver Renewal group and the Canadian Coalition of Caregivers.

4. Ensure that the SSC Advocacy Strategic Plan is aligned with theFederation roundtable advocacy plan and work with our provincialpartners on advocacy initiatives.

5. Develop an advocacy toolkit as part of our strategic plan

6. Maintain a strong role and voice as a member of CAMIMH.7. Continue to scan the environment for advocacy opportunities and

initiatives across Canada.8. Continue to develop a plan on decriminalization of individuals with mental

illness in the federal criminal justice system.9. Continue to advocate for the formation of the Canadian Mental Health

Commission and possibly membership for an SSC representative.


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10. Continue to participate in forums to improve access to medications,treatment and services for individuals living with schizophrenia and their families.

Priorities

The priorities of the SSC Advocacy Committee will be driven by the precedingopportunities and challenges for 2006-2007. Other priorities will beestablished based on issues or concerns that arise and a review of theadvocacy strategic plan in the fall of 2006.

Thank you

As Chair of the SSC Advocacy Committee, I would like to thank all membersof the SSC Advocacy Committee, SSC Board, Mary Jardine, CEO, the SSCstaff, Mr. Ryan Clarke from Advocacy Solutions and all individuals whoassisted SSC in the past year with our advocacy initiatives. I look forward toworking with all of these individuals in the coming year on all SSCs advocacyplans and initiatives.

Respectfully submitted,

Florence BuddenSSC Advocacy Committee Chair 2005-2006

ssc advocacy committee report - 2005-06

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