All-Party Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Addictions Releases Final Report
Press Release
July 29, 2025
The All-Party Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Addictions today released its final report to the Provincial Government for the improvement of programs and services, and the implementation of new initiatives to better serve the needs of the people of the province.
The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Health and Community Services, made the announcement today at the new Mental Health and Addictions Centre in St. John’s. Minister Howell was joined by Joedy Wall, MHA for Cape St. Francis, and Jeffery Bourne, executive director, U-Turn Drop-In Centre.
The report includes 10 key recommendations to strengthen the provincial mental health and addictions system. These include:
- Addressing the social determinants of health (e.g., housing, poverty).
- Focus on children, youth and families.
- Focus on Indigenous People and communities.
- Improve education and awareness.
- Enhance navigation support.
- Reduce wait times and improve access to treatment programs and services.
- Increase access to harm reduction.
- Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality programs.
- Increase community collaboration and investment.
- Improve data collection and evaluation practices.
These recommendations are based on consultations with almost 50 groups and individuals – 15 community organizations, 12 local, national and international experts, nine government entities, four Indigenous Governments and Organizations and seven advocates/people with lived experience. The committee received two written submissions (from the City of St. John’s and Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador). In addition, 421 individuals responded to the online survey.
The report builds on the work of Towards Recovery and the ongoing work of Health Accord NL, Our Path of Resilience and the Provincial Alcohol Action Plan.
The report will help inform the Provincial Government’s continued work to improve mental health and substance use services in the province. Some significant improvements since the release of the Towards Recovery report in 2017 include a new Mental Health and Addictions Centre, expanded community supports, and an increase in Naloxone kit availability.
The report by the All-Party Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Addictions is available on the Department of Health and Community Services website. Members of the committee include:
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, MHA for St. Barbe – L’Anse aux Meadows
Honourable John G. Abbott, MHA for St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi
Honourable Paul Pike, MHA for Burin-Grand Bank
Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, MHA for Placentia-St. Mary’s
Jordan Brown, MHA for Labrador West
Jim McKenna, MHA for Fogo Island-Cape Freels
Joedy Wall, MHA for Cape St. Francis
Perry Trimper, MHA for Lake Melville
Quotes
“Ensuring timely supports for individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges is a key priority for our government. We appreciate the recommendations by the All-Party Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Addictions which has engaged extensively with stakeholders, including individuals with lived and living experience of mental health and addictions. This will help strengthen our ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes and overall well-being for all residents.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister Responsible for Mental Health and Addictions
“Mental health and substance use challenges affect our families, our friends, and our communities. Together, as an All-Party Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Addictions, we are committed to improving outcomes and quality of life for individuals facing these challenges and their families. The recommendations in this report, informed by consultations with nearly 50 groups and individuals from across the province, represent an important first step toward strengthening the system. There is still more to do, but this progress gives us hope for a healthier future for all of us.”
Joedy Wall
MHA for Cape St. Francis
“I would like to thank all those who presented to the committee. The knowledge and experience they brought were important. Listening to those with lived experience is where we build a better path forward.”
Jordan Brown
MHA for Labrador West
“Mental health and addictions, much like the ebb and flow of the tide, are constantly changing. I believe that lived experience, combined with the work of the All-Party Mental Health and Addictions Committee, will help us respond and adapt as the tide shifts.”
Jeffery Bourne
Executive Director, U-Turn Drop-In Centre
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Learn more
Towards Recovery – The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador
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