The MH & A TAC aims for the development of a balanced system which:

•    Promotes well being for everyone
•    Prevents disorder and distress for people at high risk
•    Intervenes early and effectively in the event of problems
•    Helps people through crisis
•    Offers long-term healing to assist people with problems of long-standing
•    Provides rehabilitation services and supports for people with long-term disabling conditions

Mental Health and Addictions
Improving Access to Mental Health and Addictions Knowledge and Services

Child and youth make up 45% of the northern population. The Northern Health Strategy collaborates across jurisdictions in the continuum of care to strengthen the capacity of families and communities to nurture and support children and youth, and to develop an adequate system of mental health and addiction services for children, youth and families who are experiencing social, emotional and behavioural problems.

The Northern Health Strategy will support the development and evolution of a Mental Health and Addictions Working Group to assist in defining strategies in the following categories:

Human Resource Development to enhance the capacity of people within communities, and within local, regional and provincial agencies:

•    to promote (w)holistic health and well-being to prevent disorder and distress
•    to intervene promptly when problems arise
•    to help people through crises
•    to facilitate long-term healing
•    to rehabilitate persons who suffer from long-term disabling mental disorders and addictions

Access to Professional Services–engaging providers of professional mental health and addictions services:

•    Regional Health Authorities
•    Tribal Councils
•    First Nations
•    community-based non-profit agencies
•    independent practitioners
•    regulatory and funding bodies (Saskatchewan Health, Health Canada, professional regulatory organizations)
•    others

in joint planning and development aimed at providing an adequate array of professional services to the people of the north using tele-health, mobile teams, specialist consultants, and centre-based services.

Coordination, Collaboration, Teamwork–seek commitments from partners in the Northern Health Strategy to work together: a) in teamwork for clients; and b) in collaborative planning and development of services and systems by
exchanging information
developing protocols and procedures for meaningful coordination
eliminating barriers wherever possible with due regard for the rights and interests of clients, and with due respect for the different jurisdictions of the partner organizations

Policies & Procedures–Partners in the Northern Health Strategy will work toward a set of program policies and procedures related to mental health and addictions services that involves: a) existing policies and procedures common to all member organizations and b) new policies and procedures that need to be developed to enhance services to northerners.