Mental Health Supports: Relocation from Dartmouth Core

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring your attention to the exodus of mental health supports in the Dartmouth core. Three crucial mental health offices - Connections Dartmouth on Portland Street, Belmont House on Alderney Drive, and the Wyse Road clinic - were consolidated and are moving to Portland Hills, well out of the accessible cluster of services, including my own office in the downtown core.

While this move may save on costs, it is devastating for clients, many of whom I have heard from directly. This new space may be accessible to downtown by bus, but it is a long journey on foot - impossible from Dartmouth North - and is far removed from other non-profit providers, food banks, and meal providers that clients typically access.

We know that without the ability to access services, they may as well not exist. I'm sorry to see these services pulled from the heart of our Dartmouth community, and I will work diligently with my colleague from Dartmouth North and, hopefully, with this government to address this issue for our constituents.