KENTVILLE, N.S. — Decisions about delivery of mental health and additions care are based on a number of factors, including best practice, research, data and available resources. Although it was commonplace in the past to make decisions that did not include the wisdom of folks on the ground, we now know that to make meaningful and lasting improvements to communities that have mental illness, poor mental health, substance use and/or gambling problems, we must first include the voices of people from these communities.
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s Mental Health and Addictions Program (MHAP) of care is evolving and transforming to better meet the needs of our patients, families and community. Times are changing, but change doesn’t happen overnight. It requires a dialogue with those impacted – people with lived experience and their families and caregivers.
We want to engage with others who want improved mental health outcomes at the individual, family and community level. We are hoping that MHAP’s Public Advisory Group (PAG) can help contribute to engagement – MHAP recently created Public Advisory Groups (PAG) in each of the zones across Nova Scotia that are served by the Nova Scotia Health Authority. These public advisory groups are one way we are showing our commitment to involve citizens in setting priorities and making decisions that matter to them. If we want to improve health outcomes and experiences across Mental Health and Addiction programs, the public across Nova Scotia needs to be engaged to enhance and shape effective, person-centered care.
This approach means we need to partner with and listen to the public to ensure changes reflect the perspectives of the communities we serve.
In Western zone (Annapolis Valley, South Shore and South West), I work with Health Promoter Gwenyth Dwyn to facilitate and co-ordinate the Western Zone Public Advisory Group. The first of these meetings was held in late June and will occur about every two months. Topics of conversation include everything from intake procedures to implications of policy changes. Of the work that the PAG does, Dwyn says, “This is a tangible opportunity for the community to have a voice and to influence Mental Health and Addictions into the future.”
I agree.
The PAG mandate is to serve in an advisory capacity and apply their collective, knowledge, experience and insights to:
- Collaboratively identify and advise on opportunities to incorporate public perspective to enhance person-centered care
- Provide advice and guidance to enhance existing and/or, develop and implement, new programs, policies and processes
- Work in partnership, and engage in co-design, on identified initiatives with MHA staff, service providers and partners
- Link and collaborate with other Mental Health and Addiction Public Advisory Groups
- Advance and support effective public engagement within MHAP
Public Advisory Groups are advisory bodies and are “non-governance,” which means they do not govern or manage the delivery of health services, hire or supervise staff, hold funds in their own right, or resolve individual patient care concerns.
If you are interested in learning more about the Western Zone PAG and what it does, please contact Gwenyth at [email protected].
Dana Pulsifer is a social worker by training and currently is the Mental Health and Addictions Director for the Western Zone. She lives in Kentville, working in the field of Mental Health and Addictions for the last 24 years. She enjoys spending time hiking with her two boys, husband and two dogs. If you wish to comment on this article, please write a Letter to the Editor or email [email protected].