BILL NO. 37

(as introduced)

1st Session, 65th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
3 Charles III, 2025

 

Private Member's Public Bill

 

Mental Health Bill of Rights

 

Lisa Lachance
Halifax Citadel–Sable Island

First Reading: February 25, 2025

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

 

An Act to Establish
a Mental Health Bill of Rights

WHEREAS mental disorders, episodes of psychological distress and their treatment are an integral and important component of the health-care system;

AND WHEREAS a Mental Health Strategy was adopted by the Department of Health and Wellness in 2012;

AND WHEREAS persons with mental disorders or experiencing episodes of psychological distress are to be treated with dignity and respect;

AND WHEREAS any experience of stigma or delay in diagnosis and treatment is harmful;

THEREFORE be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 This Act may be cited as the Mental Health Bill of Rights.

2 Every person with a mental disorder or experiencing episodes of psychological distress is entitled to

(a) be treated with dignity and respect;

(b) have prompt and appropriate access to evidence-based, publicly funded diagnostic resources and treatment across a range of service needs;

(c) have access to client and family-centred support services;

(d) have access to treatment and support that is appropriate for the person and the person's circumstances, from Tier 1 to Tier 5 (as currently classified) and with particular emphasis on increasing the services necessary to address the "missing middle";

(e) have the ability to participate in program evaluation and outcome measures and to have access to the results of data collection and evaluation;

(f) have access to meaningful patient engagement modalities (including youth and family engagement) that have demonstrable influence on program and service development; and

(g) have access to an advocate of the person's choice or to a public advocate if the person is unable to chose an advocate.

3 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Department of Health and Wellness and such other Government departments as applicable shall, by 2027,

(a) provide funding for the treatment of mental disorders or episodes of psychological distress that meets or exceeds the World Health Organization's recommended minimum of 10% of total health care expenditures;

(b) establish within the Office of Addictions and Mental Health an ongoing functional unit that is responsible for coordination and integration across all services associated with mental disorders or episodes of psychological distress, including addiction services, specialized services for youth, mobile services, counselling, emergency room resources, involuntary hospitalization, education, family supports and housing; and

(c) ensure appropriate services are available throughout the Province.

(2) The money required for the purpose of subsection (1) must be paid out of the money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.

 

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