I recently launched a petition to ensure stable and permanent satellite mental health and addiction services in Dartmouth North. 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.
You can download the petition here (which you can print out and circulate amognst your contacts, clients, or customers) or pick up hard copies in my office at 260 Wyse Road, Unit 102.
Below is the text for the petition:
Whereas Dartmouth North is a vibrant community that is home to many people facing marginalization; and,
Whereas 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; and,
Whereas Dartmouth North has within its boundaries a significant and historical African Nova Scotian community and Black lives matter; and,
Whereas Nova Scotia Health is moving mental health and addictions services from three downtown Dartmouth locations to one location at 842 Portland St, which is difficult to access by foot, mobility aid or public transit for people in Dartmouth North;
We, the undersigned, ask the Province of NS to work with NS Health to ensure stable and permanent satellite mental health and addictions services at accessible locations in the community of Dartmouth North.