SK. Advocacy

A Case for an Investigation by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission into Systemic Discrimination of the Mental Health System in Saskatchewan was written in response to the lack of resources behind the Working Together for Change: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan, created in 2014. It is a ten-year plan which outlines seven recommendations as system goals to improve mental health and addictions services in Saskatchewan. We compared this initiative’s lack of resources to other initiatives that were implemented within the last few years. It was woefully underfunded. We did not want this action plan to sit on a shelf with very little action, as had happened with previous initiatives towards mental health and addictions. In 2016, we went to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission to present our case of systemic discrimination. Since then, we have written a recommendation document and, if you read through it, some of those recommendations have been met! The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission has also since created a position, Director of Systemic Initiatives, that works directly with cases such as this one.

Working Together For Change: A 10 Year Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Saskatchewan

Dr. Fern Stockdale Winder
Commissioner, Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan December 1, 2014

Working Together for Change

A Case for an Investigation by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission into Systemic Discrimination of the Mental Health System in Saskatchewan

Prepared by
David Nelson,
Senior Consultant, CMHA (Sask) Division
Rebecca Rackow, BA (Hons.), BSW, RSW
Director of Advocacy, Research, and Public Policy Development
November 16, 2016

CMHA Mental Health Discrimination Investigation

A Responsible Vision and Plan for Mental Health and Addictions Care in Saskatchewan

Prepared by
Rebecca Rackow, BA(hons.), BSW, RSW,
Sharon Lyons BA, MA(Cand.),
David Nelson
For the Canadian Mental Health Association (Saskatchewan Division) Inc.   April 2018

A Responsible Vision and Plan

The Saskatchewan Disability Income Support Coalition (DISC) was formed by a large cross section of disability advocates, consumers and organizations across Saskatchewan who are committed to advocating for a respectful, dignified and adequate income support system. DISC members have joined together to speak as one voice, working towards a distinct (or separate) income system for people with disabilities that will be built on our common vision and principles.

The Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) is an income support program for people with significant and enduring disabilities. It offers individuals the dignity of greater choice of services and participation in their community. Government and members of the disability community continue to work together to make improvements to the SAID program.

Final Recommendations of the Task Team on Income Support for People with Disabilities

 May 13th, 2009

Final Recommendations of the Task Team

Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disabilities:
An Income Replacement program

Dave Nelson, RSW(ret.), RPN(ret.)
Rebecca Rackow, BA(hons.), BSW, RSW

May 13th, 2009

SW DISC-SAID Class Presentation

The Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) is an income support program for people with significant and enduring disabilities. In the following video, you’ll meet a group of SAID recipients and learn how rising costs are creating challenges for daily living.

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DISC Website

Our primary vision is to see an income system that offers both an adequate baseline income for people with disabilities and a user-friendly mechanism to address individual financial needs based on the impact of disability.

DISC Website

The Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) is an income support program for people with significant and enduring disabilities.

In a family visit to the Human Rights Museum in August 2018, our Director of Advocacy, Research, and Public Policy Development, Rebecca Rackow was very impressed with the museum overall.  However, she did notice some obvious gaps in the mental health and addictions areas in the various displays.  In contacting our sister Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Division in Manitoba, we discovered they too had been communicating with the museum regarding improvements to the various displays to more effectively convey human rights discrimination.

Canadian Human Rights Museum
Recommendations PDF

2018

Canadian Human Rights Museum – Recommendations

Upholding Human Rights CMHA Sask. Division Involvement in Enhancing the Mental Health and Addictions Component at the Canadian Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg

Prepared by:
David Nelson, RPN(Ret.), RSW(Ret.)
Associate Executive Director, CMHA (Sask) Division
Rebecca Rackow, BA(Hons.), BSW, RSW,
Director of Advocacy, Research, and Public Policy Development

Upholding Human Rights