Quebec psychiatrists are urging the province’s next government to create a dedicated cabinet post for mental health to co‑ordinate services across ministries and sustain attention to the field beyond individual election cycles.
Focused leadership sought to tackle growing need
At a news conference in Montreal, the president of the province’s association of psychiatrists outlined a package of measures aimed at preventing homelessness and suicide and improving access to care. The proposals include the creation of a stand‑alone minister responsible for mental health, wider use of alternatives to psychiatric hospitalization, improved support for health‑care workers and expanded telemedicine services.
The measures are presented as responses to what the association describes as escalating demand for mental‑health services across Quebec, with more people seeking help and finding it difficult to obtain timely care.
Why a minister?
Advocates say a named minister would be able to coordinate action across multiple departments — health, social services, housing and justice — and help keep mental health on the government agenda for the long term rather than only during campaign periods. The specialist role is pitched as a mechanism to drive system‑wide reforms and ensure accountability for outcomes such as reducing suicide and homelessness linked to untreated mental illness.
- Dedicated minister to centralize responsibility and long‑term planning
- Alternatives to hospitalization to reduce inpatient burdens and better match care settings to needs
- Workforce supports for clinicians facing increased demand and burnout
- Telemedicine expansion to widen access, particularly in underserviced communities
Evidence of rising pressures
The association flagged alarming trends among youth. In the figures cited, hospitalizations for suicidal ideation in girls aged 10 to 14 have increased markedly over recent years. That rise is presented as a key indicator of worsening child and adolescent mental health that requires system‑level action, including prevention and earlier intervention.
| Measure proposed | Intended effect |
|---|---|
| Minister of mental health | Cross‑sector coordination and sustained political priority |
| Alternatives to hospitalization | Reduce inpatient admissions and provide more appropriate community care |
| Workforce supports | Address burnout and capacity among clinicians |
| Telemedicine expansion | Improve access for remote and underserviced populations |
Speakers at the event described a fragmented system where responsibility is spread across ministries and local authorities, making coherent, long‑term strategies difficult to implement. They argued a ministerial champion could help marshal resources, develop consistent targets and measure progress over time.
Context and consequences
The call comes as Quebec prepares for a provincial election, a moment when new or renewed commitments to health care are often announced. Mental‑health advocates say immediate political attention without structural change risks leaving persistent problems unresolved. Their recommendations aim to move beyond short‑term responses to build sustained capacity.
Observers note that implementing the proposals would require additional funding, workforce planning and agreement on service models — whether through community‑based crisis teams, expanded outpatient clinics or other alternatives to inpatient care. Telemedicine, already used in many parts of Canada, is offered as a practical way to increase access, but it is not a panacea where in‑person services or social supports are needed.
Health‑system leaders face competing priorities and budget constraints. Creating a new ministerial role could accelerate reforms but would also need clear mandates and accountability mechanisms to translate promises into improved outcomes for people in distress.
As the province moves toward an election, the association’s proposals present a concrete set of asks that could shape party platforms and public debate about how Quebec should respond to a rise in mental‑health needs, particularly among young people.
What the association asked for: a named minister for mental health, more community alternatives to hospitalization, better supports for the health‑care workforce and expanded telemedicine access — measures aimed at preventing homelessness and reducing suicide risk by improving access and continuity of care.
