Manitoba starts work on developing mental health strategy
Province seeks mental health consultant with background in what other provinces have done
The provincial government is looking for someone who can develop a mental health strategy for Manitobans, Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen says.
The province has issued a request for proposals to recruit a consultant to develop a strategy for addressing Manitobans' needs in the areas of mental health and addiction issues, Goertzen announced Thursday.
Goertzen said the province is looking for a "qualified consultant" to fill the role, one who has a background in how other provinces address mental health needs.
"We are confirming our ongoing commitment to create better co-ordination and access to mental health and addictions services for all Manitobans," Goertzen said in a news release.
The Progressive Conservative government promised in the throne speech to develop a strategy to improve accessibility to mental health and addictions services.
The cost to complete the strategy is pegged at $150,000 and the selected consultant will have until Dec. 31, 2017, to deliver recommendations.