Community concerned about lack of mental health supports in Dartmouth North

DARTMOUTH-- NDP MLA Susan Leblanc is fighting for better mental health services for her community. Leblanc has recently launched a petition to ensure stable and permanent satellite mental health and addiction services in Dartmouth North.

“The people of Dartmouth North deserve mental health care as much as any other community. Considering the need here, the simplest solution is ensuring there are permanent satellite offices in our community,” said Leblanc, who is also the NDP Health and Wellness spokesperson. “Mental health care needs to be easily accessible and part of the public health care system. For many people in our Dartmouth North community accessing private treatment is out of the question, and trying to get across town to access public service will mean going without.”

Community mental health offices in Downtown Dartmouth will be moved out of the downtown, making it more difficult for many to access in-person services. Dartmouth North has some of the lowest levels of income, highest social deprivation, highest food insecurity, and highest rates of mental health and addiction disorders in the province.

“It can be very hard for people in Dartmouth North to access services like mental health supports,” said Robyne Gorman, a resident of Dartmouth North who has worked with many people and families to access services. “I have gone to appointments with people and made phone calls for people. I'm lucky enough to know who to talk to through my work and volunteer roles. People can't access the services if they don't know it's there, or if they have no way of getting there, in the case of Mental Health and Addictions. We need to take away the barriers, not add more."

Leblanc’s petition is available at her constituency office on Wyse Rd. or by contacting her office directly.

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