November 16th, 2016

NDP MPP Armstrong demands answers on lack of mental health support for Londoners

During question period today, Teresa Armstrong, NDP MPP for London-Fanshawe, demanded the Wynne government take action for the people of London who are in distress with mental health issues but can’t get the care they need, when they need it.

 “My constituent, Jan, walked into the emergency department at London Health Sciences Centre, in desperate need of mental health care. She was in complete distress after days of suffering alone,” said Armstrong. “Jan waited 7 hours in emergency, before being told that no mental health beds were available. And the best she could do was to add her name to ever-growing wait lists for mental health services.”

“Why is this government still failing people like Jan, who need mental health care in London but just can’t get it?” asked Armstrong.

Armstrong said that this story is all too common and that Londoners know there is a crisis in mental health care in their community, despite what the government claims.

“When people who are thinking about suicide and living in complete distress, cannot get immediate care and support, we have a serious problem. We are at a tipping point,” said Armstrong. “Yet this government refuses to tackle overcrowding in our hospitals, and refuses to eliminate the wait lists for mental health care.”

Armstrong demanded to know what will it take for the government to listen to the thousands of people, like Jan,  who need mental health care but just can’t get it.