50 signatures reached
To: Members Of The Legislative Assembly In British Columbia; Members of Parliament, Government of Canada
Bring Psychological Services Under The Mandate Of British Columbia's Medical Services Plans
Military veterans and those working in public safety are currently being heard in regards to these worker's experiences with PTSD.
Those struggling with mental health conditions in the general population currently feel that their needs are not met, and that their voice is not heard.
Those living with PTSD in the general population report access to care issues due to the often inaccesibility of treatment.
Treatments of best practice are offered by psychologists in Canada; however, the services of psychologists are not currently supported through provincial medical services plans.
The costs of psychological services creates a barrier for those in the general population needing treatment and services.
We call on both the Federal Government and on the Government of British Columbia for change.
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, call on The Province of British Columbia and The Government of Canada to provide funding for psychological services under our Provincial medical services plan in British Columbia, and that funding for service be accepted by agreement with both branches of Government.
Those struggling with mental health conditions in the general population currently feel that their needs are not met, and that their voice is not heard.
Those living with PTSD in the general population report access to care issues due to the often inaccesibility of treatment.
Treatments of best practice are offered by psychologists in Canada; however, the services of psychologists are not currently supported through provincial medical services plans.
The costs of psychological services creates a barrier for those in the general population needing treatment and services.
We call on both the Federal Government and on the Government of British Columbia for change.
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, call on The Province of British Columbia and The Government of Canada to provide funding for psychological services under our Provincial medical services plan in British Columbia, and that funding for service be accepted by agreement with both branches of Government.
Why is this important?
The current population of Canada is estimated at 33,000,000. We know that we all will likely suffer at least a single traumatic event in our life-time. We also know that approximately 8% of us in response to a traumatic event will go on to suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues.
Based on these estimates, it's conservatively safe to estimate that over 2 million citizens in Canada will currently be living with symptoms of PTSD, diagnosed as such or otherwise, where these persons in the population have experienced at least a single traumatic event.
The Canadian Mental Health Association states the following in regards to PTSD in Canada:
While many people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives, only 8% people will experience post-traumatic stress disorder in their lifetime. There are some groups that are at higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder than others:
⦁ People in certain occupations—are at higher risk. A study out of the University of British Columbia found that emergency personnel such as doctors, nurses, paramedics and firefighters experience post-traumatic stress at twice the rate of the average population. In Canada, it is estimated that up to 10% of war zone veterans—including war service veterans and peacekeeping forces—will go on to experience post-traumatic stress disorder.
⦁ Women—are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The reasons for this are unclear. (We recognize, however, that women are often victims of higher incidence of domestic violence, physical and sexual assault, both as adults and as children, which may contribute to these higher-levels of PTSD in women in Canada).1
⦁ Refugees—are at higher risk for post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the stressful events that forced them to flee their homeland and the difficulties involved in moving to a new country.
⦁ Aboriginal people—who attended residential schools* have reported experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the abuse that took place. A small percentage of residential school survivors have reported this phenomenon now called 'residential school syndrome.'
* Residential schools were Church-run, government-funded schools for native children, set up during the early 1900s. The schools were supposed to prepare aboriginal children for life in white society. Some children who attended the schools were subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse. The last residential school didn’t close until 1996.
1. Added by this author.
Trauma survivors have an expression we've adopted, that we now call on our Governments to adopt as well:
"If we can heal trauma, we can heal the world."
We ask our Governments to help us ALL to heal.
Based on these estimates, it's conservatively safe to estimate that over 2 million citizens in Canada will currently be living with symptoms of PTSD, diagnosed as such or otherwise, where these persons in the population have experienced at least a single traumatic event.
The Canadian Mental Health Association states the following in regards to PTSD in Canada:
While many people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives, only 8% people will experience post-traumatic stress disorder in their lifetime. There are some groups that are at higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder than others:
⦁ People in certain occupations—are at higher risk. A study out of the University of British Columbia found that emergency personnel such as doctors, nurses, paramedics and firefighters experience post-traumatic stress at twice the rate of the average population. In Canada, it is estimated that up to 10% of war zone veterans—including war service veterans and peacekeeping forces—will go on to experience post-traumatic stress disorder.
⦁ Women—are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The reasons for this are unclear. (We recognize, however, that women are often victims of higher incidence of domestic violence, physical and sexual assault, both as adults and as children, which may contribute to these higher-levels of PTSD in women in Canada).1
⦁ Refugees—are at higher risk for post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the stressful events that forced them to flee their homeland and the difficulties involved in moving to a new country.
⦁ Aboriginal people—who attended residential schools* have reported experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the abuse that took place. A small percentage of residential school survivors have reported this phenomenon now called 'residential school syndrome.'
* Residential schools were Church-run, government-funded schools for native children, set up during the early 1900s. The schools were supposed to prepare aboriginal children for life in white society. Some children who attended the schools were subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse. The last residential school didn’t close until 1996.
1. Added by this author.
Trauma survivors have an expression we've adopted, that we now call on our Governments to adopt as well:
"If we can heal trauma, we can heal the world."
We ask our Governments to help us ALL to heal.
How it will be delivered
The Petition will be delivered via email to both branches of Government.