Provincial Budget a move in the right direction; falls short on addressing the social determinants of health

Halifax/Kjipuktuk -Yesterday, March 29, 2022 the Nova Scotia Government released the 2022- 2023 Provincial Budget.

The Canadian Mental Health Association, along with our partner, the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers [NSCSW], are encouraged by the provincial government’s investment of $268.6 million in addictions and mental health, but we do not feel this provincial budget moves the needle far enough in addressing the social determinants of health.

To truly invest in mental health and addictions support, our government must make meaningful and sustainable investments in the social determinants of health, including affordable housing, employment, a liveable minimum wage, affordable childcare, and measures to address homelessness.

Unfortunately, this budget tells us that the mental health and addictions system in Nova Scotia continues to be based on responding to crises rather than preventing them.

While we applaud this much-needed support in crisis care, we underline that the work being done to support the social determinants of health and prevent crisis, is being done and can be done at the community level.

Community organizations can do more to support Nova Scotians by preventing crises. But we cannot do this without the government’s support.

We look forward to working with the provincial government to ensure there is increased and sustained investment in community organizations that promote equity, parity, housing, early intervention, and the social determinants of health.

Media Contact:

Erin Christie,

Provincial Lead, Communications and Community Engagement, CMHA NS

Email: [email protected]

Read our full budget response HERE