Douglas researchers contribute to the Health and Welfare Commissioner's 2012 report on mental health, released today

MONTREAL, Dec. 5, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Quebec's Health and Welfare Commissioner has devoted the fourth Appraisal Report of the Performance of the Health and Social Services System to mental health. To create the report, the Commissioner called upon many experts, such as Marie-Josée Fleury, PhD, a researcher at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute and Professor at McGill University. She and her colleague Guy Grenier, PhD, wrote one of the four volumes in the report that deals with the current status of mental health care. In this volume, they demonstrate the importance of improving access to care and increasing flow between services.

A volume of over 200 pages, this status report gives an overview of the prevalence of mental disorders and their consequences, the use and organization of mental health services, best practices in treatment and intervention, and the transformation of services over the past five years.

The Commissioner used this overview to make recommendations in mental health care, which include completing the implementation of the "guichets d'accès" (entry points), increasing the number of responding psychiatrists, and implementing formal liaison mechanisms between different service levels.

"We welcome the release of this report entirely dedicated to mental health, which is a major issue for Quebec society." stated Lynne McVey, Executive Director of the Douglas Institute. "The Douglas is proud to have contributed to this report through the expertise of our researchers Marie-Josée Fleury and Guy Grenier."

"McGill University joins the Douglas Institute in acknowledging our researchers' contribution to the Commissioner's report. The fact that the Commissioner sought out this collaboration serves as recognition of the drive and excellence that characterize our health research institutions, which are dedicated to the well-being of Quebeckers," added David Eidelman, Vice Principle (Health Affairs) and Dean of Medicine at McGill University.

Since its creation in 2009, the Appraisal Report of the Performance of the Health and Social Services System has provided documented clarification to advance public debate and aid in government decision-making.

SOURCE: Douglas Mental Health University Institute

Anne Quirion
Communications and Public Affairs
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Cell: 514-434-9990
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