Three-year review of action plan shows collaboration on Inuit mental health

Media Release

May 31, 2012 – Ottawa, Ontario – A three-year review of the Alianait Inuit Mental Wellness Action Plan shows that the plan has become an essential tool in mental health policy planning, and has helped Inuit work more collaboratively with governments, communicate needs, and advocate for funding, says National Inuit Leader Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

The plan was drafted by ITK’s Alianait Inuit Mental Wellness Task Group, a multi-stakeholder committee including representatives from regional and national Inuit organizations, as well as government departments. Early in 2012, the group began the review of the plan’s impact to determine where to focus efforts for the next phase of implementation.The evaluation shows that the plan has promoted stronger regional provincial/territorial and federal relationships in the area of mental wellness, and has served as a guiding policy document in Inuit regions. Most notably, Alianait forms the basis of an Inuit-specific chapter in the recently released Mental Health Strategy for Canada.

“Our Inuit partners report that this plan has helped them make the case for greater mental health services by identifying regional gaps and determining the actions needed to close those gaps,” said Simon.

“The release of The Mental Health Strategy for Canada marked an important shift in public opinion, and we must act on this momentum to overcome our remaining challenges – securing long-term diagnostic, treatment, counseling and aftercare services, as well as infrastructure to provide these services, and building a mental health workforce in our communities.”

During the next phase of implementation, the partner organizations that make up the Alianait Mental Wellness Task Group will continue to work together to draw attention to these needs and ensure that Inuit mental wellness specialists are fully involved in the design, development and delivery of programs and services.

For more information:

Patricia D’Souza, Senior Communications Officer
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
613-292-4482; [email protected]

Attachment / Size
Alianait Action Plan.pdf 1.28 MB
Mental_Wellness_Update.pdf 509.59 KB

Contact: Stephen Hendrie, Director of Communications
Tel: 613.277.3178, [email protected]