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Another year has flown by with the Association participating in what we hope will be a truly meaningful
improvement to the lives of those with psychiatric disabilities. What I am referring to is the Disability Income Support Task Team process mandated by the Minister of Social Services.
This Task Team has been meeting every two weeks since January, and is tasked with designing a new and separate income support program for those with significant and enduring disabilities, including cognitive and psychiatric disabilities. The writer has been involved as a Task Team Member and the process has been a good one, with a truly collaborative tone to the meetings.
We encourage government to ensure an adequate amount to make a real difference to those with significant mental health and other disabilities in our province.
We should also make note of Jayne Whyte’s project (supported by funding from the SK Parks and Recreation Association/SK Lotteries) that will begin the compilation of the history of mental health in Saskatchewan. She “chose to focus on recreation, occupational therapy and social interactions that directly affected the lives and living conditions of persons who lived with mental illness in the Weyburn Hospital.” We are hoping that this will not only raise public awareness in this critical area, but also keep Public Policy informed of longterm history and the importance of recreation in psychosocial health and recovery.
All has been going well in the Association with the busy schedule continuing of supporting those in our community who require our help.