Addictions advocate encouraged by minister’s mandate

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This article was published 26/01/2022 (1515 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s new minister of mental health and wellness is focused on collaboration as she gets familiarized with the portfolio. 

Sarah Guillemard was appointed to the new position during the most recent provincial cabinet shuffle after previously serving as the minister of conservation and climate. She takes over the role from Audrey Gordon, who was the first minister of the department. 

Guillemard’s first order of business is to gain an understanding of the current programs in place and where more attention is needed, she said. 

“It’s quite an exciting opportunity. I think there’s a heck of a lot of work to do, but there’s been some good groundwork prepared for me … I’m excited for some of the initiatives we will be rolling out over the next few years,” she told the Sun. 

Addictions are a significant concern in Manitoba, including in Brandon, as the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many people’s mental health and exacerbated existing issues in the system. 

“What we do understand is a huge contributor to mental health is that lack of connection. COVID-19 has really thrown a wrench into a lot of the progress, because when we’re looking at some of the restrictions necessary to slow down the spread, we also saw that struggle to have connection,” she said. 

That lack of connection during the pandemic has led to addiction for some, she said, adding there will be “catch up” needed in the system. Investments to enhance existing programs and create new ones are coming, but Guillemard couldn’t be more specific on Wednesday. 

A roadmap for mental health services is coming as well, she said, which will include more details for addictions and support services. 

“There needs to be a clear plan and co-ordination, and I think that’s been lacking for a number of years,” she said. 

While there is good work happening, more co-ordination and communication are needed across the system, she said. Additional plans for how the province will tackle co-ordination will come in the mental health roadmap, but part of it will be directing people to the right place for help when they need it. 

Brandon-based addictions advocate Kim Longstreet said she is encouraged to see Guillemard in the role. The title of the position doesn’t include “recovery” anymore, which she said will hopefully bring more focus to the portfolio. 

“[Recovery] is too broad. Some people will resume a life and carry forward, but they will always have that mental health component and that wellness piece that got them there in the first place,” she said. 

The conversation in Brandon has also gravitated toward mental health and wellness, Longstreet said, and pointed the Brandon Friendship Centre’s work to support survivors of the ’60s Scoop. 

“The collaborative piece is absolutely crucial and those of us who have been advocating for it for a long time know that is the key component. It’s not going to work if everybody isn’t firing on the same cylinder,” she said. 

Longstreet is also the chair of Brandon’s Community Wellness Collaborative, which aims to set up a go-to spot where people in need can get help and assistance through the process of dealing with social services. 

The group has already been involved with creating a sobering centre, for which the province announced $2 million in funding last July. 

Moving forward, Longstreet said she wants to see both municipal and provincial support for the wellness collaborative, which she hopes Guillemard can help with. The collaborative already has community support but could benefit from provincial backing to get the “bricks and mortar” put in place. 

“I’m feeling good about the direction we’re going, [and I] was pleased when I heard the minister was going to be in charge of [mental health and community wellness]. I’m feeling excited about 2022.”

» dmay@brandonsun.com 

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