Canadian Psychiatrists Press For Equal Treatment Of Mental Illness And Petition Fellow Physicians To Fight Discrimination Towards Mentally Ill Persons

Main Category: Mental Health
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 19 Aug 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Historically the care for patients with psychiatric illnesses has been loaded with prejudice and discrimination, the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) told delegates at today's Canadian Medical Association (CMA) meeting. CPA also commends the CMA for putting a spotlight on mental health issues today at its annual meeting of Canadian physicians.

"In our presentation to colleagues, we pointed out that despite medicine's ability to treat and diagnose psychiatric illness as effectively and accurately as it can diagnose and treat most chronic conditions in internal medicine, far too many people don't get access to care," said Dr. Patrick White, CPA president and meeting delegate.

"We must commit to ensuring that such discrimination is no longer tolerated. This includes advocating for parity of resources for care. Resources devoted to treating psychiatric illnesses should be similar to that committed to physical illnesses with equivalent levels of disability," he added. "We asked our colleagues to work together as physicians to transform patient care for mental illnesses beginning by fighting stigma within our own profession and physician organizations. We also asked that they advocate for parity of resources for mental health research and the full range of services needed to treat mental illness. We are encouraged by the support shown by our colleagues in passing a number of motions for collaborative action."

This year's annual CMA survey of Canadians on the state of health care reinforces many studies that show that Canadians' personal experience with mental illness is very prevalent and that they think mental health care is underfunded.

"Today's announcement of additional funding for the Mental Health Commission of Canada is an encouraging sign that we are on the right track toward transforming mental health care in Canada," added Dr. White.

Dr. Donald Milliken represented the CPA on a mental health panel at the CMA annual meeting alongside Michael Kirby Chair of the Mental Health Commission and Austen Mardon, a patient living with schizophrenia.

The Canadian Psychiatric Association is the national voice for Canada's 4,100 psychiatrists and more than 600 psychiatric residents. Founded in 1951, the CPA is dedicated to promoting an environment that fosters excellence in the provision of clinical care, education and research.

Canadian Psychiatric Association