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From a press release issued by the NS PC Party<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n HALIFAX:<\/strong> Nova Scotians have been honest and open about their mental health struggles and demanding better services, even before COVID-19. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With the pandemic and isolation taking a significant toll on too many, the PC Party of Nova Scotia wants to ensure that mental health services are available to everyone, regardless of circumstance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe must treat mental health on the same level as physical health,\u201d says Houston. \u201cPeople used to suffer in silence, now they\u2019re screaming for help, and the Liberal government isn’t listening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd it is not just about adding more money; Nova Scotians need smart investments that address the core issues that prevent access to reliable mental health services.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”78″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”34″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Houston will introduce an amendment to the Health Services and Insurance Act<\/em> to recognize that not every Nova Scotian has immediate access to mental healthcare providers and therefore establishes billing codes for mental health professionals so they can treat everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n John Lohr, MLA for Kings North, will introduce the Addictions and Mental Health Act<\/em> to establish a separate department and Minister of Addictions and Mental Health to appropriately recognize and address the unique conditions of each Nova Scotian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brian Comer, MLA for Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg, will introduce the Mental Health Crisis Hotline Act<\/em> to ensure Nova Scotia adopts a three-digit crisis line with trained professionals, specifically for mental health concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAddictions and Mental Health is too important to fit within the purview of a Minister already responsible for a strained healthcare system, and an underfunded long-term care system,\u201d says Lohr, PC Critic for Addictions and Mental Health. \u201cIt does a disservice to the front line professionals waking up every day trying to save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”31″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate group=”7″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Comer, a mental health RN, says that we need to be resourceful and embrace technology to best deliver mental health services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe PC Party is committed to modernizing our province when it comes to mental health care,\u201d says Comer, \u201cBoth with the services we provide – and the approach we take to providing them. That starts with a three-digit crisis line.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate group=”6″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n