Public Panel Discussion: “Challenges and Actions Needed on Addiction”

Halifax – The Mental Health Coalition of Nova Scotia is seeking more action on addictions.  According to Co-Chairperson Donna Methot, “We are pleased to have a provincial Mental Health and Addictions Strategy. But unfortunately, addictions issues and concerns seem to receive even less attention than mental health, even though the two are often very closely related.”

“To help get more attention to this important public issue,” Co-Chairperson Joan Jessome said, “the Mental Health Coalition is holding a public panel discussion entitled “Medical Citizenship and Additions: Challenges and Actions Needed” on Wednesday, March 25 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Johanna B. Oosterveld Centre at 2103 Gottingen Street in Halifax,

“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull as our keynote speaker for this event,” they both noted. Dr. Turnbull is the Chief of Staff at the Ottawa Hospital. He has also pursued an interest in poverty and its effect on health nationally and internationally. He is one of the founders and is currently the Medical Director of the Inner City Health Project for the homeless in Ottawa.

Dr. Nick Delva will be the panel facilitator. Dr. Delva is the Head of the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University and the Chief of the Department of Psychiatry at Capital Health. The panelists will include:

• Steve Deveau, Peer Support Worker at Self-Help Connection
• Cindy MacIsaac, Executive Director of Direction 180
• Philip Mills, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, and Clinical Academic Leader for Addictions Services of Capital Health’s Addictions and Mental Health Program.

This event is part of the Visiting Professorship Medical Citizenship series organized by the Department of Bioethics, Dalhousie University from March 23 to 27. It is open to the public, and no pre-registration is required.