NRRM council endorses mental health accord

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Last week, the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) Council agreed to endorse the NCLGA Mental Health Addictions Accord. 

Council read a letter from the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) requesting an endorsement of the accord at its October 28th meeting, which they quickly did.  

“I think it’s fabulous, very well done and something we should all support,” said councillor Brenda Enax.

Council agreed at the meeting to send an email back to NCLGA to notify them of the endorsement. 

According to NCLGA’s letter, the accord is a living document that aims to identify shared principles and actions to promote improvements in mental health and addiction services across Central and Northern British Columbia.

The accord’s principles include collaboration and partnership between government agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, Indigenous communities, educational institutions, businesses, and individuals with lived experience and their caregivers.

Other principles include recognizing the complexities facing the province, Indigenous communities, and local governments.

The accord’s actions include staying committed to sharing information and coordinating efforts to improve the delivery of mental health and addiction services.

Advocacy to the provincial government for increased funding, resources, and policy changes that support the timely delivery of mental health and addiction services is also included.

“This includes advocating for investments in prevention, education, early intervention, treatment, and long-term recovery supports, as well as for policies that address the social determinants of health,” says the accord.

The accord will be signed at a ceremony during the 2024 Mental Health and Addictions Symposium, which will be held at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre from November 13th to 14th, 2024.

“This ceremony will symbolize the collective commitment of signatories to advancing mental health and addictions initiatives across the region,” says NCLGA President Judy Greenaway.

The symposium is co-hosted by NCLGA, the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, the City of Prince George and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.

The symposium’s registration deadline is November 6th. The cost is $200 for regular registration or $75 for online registration. 

The Prince George Conference and Civic Centre is located at 808 Canada Games Way.

“We affirm our dedication to working collaboratively and advocating for positive change to address the mental health and addictions crisis in Central and Northern British Columbia,” the letter concluded. 

The NCLGA letter and the Mental Health Addictions Accord can be viewed below: