In several areas, we are trying to go faster, to find quick solutions. However, this strategy does not apply well in mental health: wounds to the soul and heart take time to heal. They require expertise, a benevolent space, without pressure and patience.
Since 2006, the doctorate is compulsory to become a psychologist in Quebec, making the duration of studies similar to that of doctors. This decision was made because the assessment of mental health disorders and their treatment are extremely complex. In addition, the risks of harm are high without specialized training. For example, some psychological difficulties can worsen with inappropriate interventions. It would therefore not be prudent to train people quickly in the hope that they can assess or treat mental health problems.
The 811 can help with crisis management and referral to the appropriate resources, but then the wait is too long to get the treatment needed. For example, we are talking about 6 to 24 months to see a psychologist in the public network.
We would so love to have a magic wand or reading suggestion that would cure depression that makes you impatient or even aggressive with your kids, anxiety disorder that keeps you from working, or traumas that turn your life into a nightmare. But unfortunately, that does not exist …
When it comes to mental health, there are no “quick fixes”. However, there are solutions. One of them is an investment plan which involves the hiring of 450 psychologists in the public network.
To achieve this, this plan includes a salary catch-up, making the public sector a little more competitive with the private sector. This plan would generate major gains for all Quebecers: it would save $ 228 million per year in terms of visits to family doctors, emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
You read that right: $ 228 million in savings including the costs associated with hiring psychologists. And this is an underestimation of the costs saved: this calculation does not take into account the savings associated with medication, DYP, calls to the police, absenteeism at work, the justice system. , violence, etc. Because yes, too often behind acts of violence lie untreated mental health problems. And this violence affects us all, either by reducing our sense of security, or by traumatizing us, or by directly injuring us.
In Quebec, every day, about three people end their life. A tragic situation with enormous societal consequences. These acts of extreme despair generate a wave of suffering. Not to mention the anger felt when paired with a lack of accessibility to the right help.
Will 2022 be the year of change?
Why not remember 2022 as the year of major improvements in the accessibility of mental health services? Who says “yes”?
The plan we are proposing is just one step in a program that should be bigger. But, please, let’s put a stop to the accelerated departures of psychologists to the private sector immediately, before it is too late. Do not act as if these professionals are a luxury in our public network. Psychologists are more than ever a necessity in the interdisciplinary teams of our exhausted network; particularly in the context of an endless pandemic that is weakening us all. Not to mention the psychological effects of health measures which are on the increase.
Let us minimize the effects of the pandemic as much as possible. Let’s invest in mental health so that everyone can see a psychologist when they need it. And thus get effective treatment for their depression, anxiety, eating disorder, addiction, etc.
An essential investment for future generations since, unfortunately, untreated mental health problems have intergenerational repercussions.
* Co-signers: Connie scuccimarri, psychologist and administrator of the Coalition of Psychologists of the Quebec Public Network; Youssef Allami, psychologist and administrator of the Coalition of Psychologists of the Quebec Public Network; Catherine Serra Poirier, psychologist and vice-president of liaison of the Coalition of psychologists of the Quebec public network; Beatrice Filion, psychologist and vice-president secretary of the coalition of psychologists of the Quebec public network; Marc-André Pinard, psychologist and administrator of the Coalition of Psychologists of the Quebec Public Network; Loredana marchica, psychologist and communications manager for the Coalition of Psychologists of the Quebec Public Network