Local 514 host Savanna Craig interviews Bertrand Schepper, Researcher for the Institute for Research and Socio-Economic Information (IRIS), about how the pandemic has drained mental health resources and the ability for Montrealers to access those resources in a timely manner.

The Quebec government has recently provided $100 million towards mental health services, but Bertrand says this is not enough, as he believes there should be $500 million dollars provided towards mental health services. He says the pandemic has shown us that the government has the funds to allocate to relief if they need to, but we need to push for it so that Quebecers can have better mental health support.

Bertrand discusses how the Quebec government has distributed their 

Free mental health services in Quebec:

Local Community Service Centres (CLSC) offer 12 free sessions with a private therapist.

AMI-Quebec offers free support groups for those suffering from mental illness, family caregivers supporting a loved one with a mental illness, and those experiencing both.

La Maison St. Jacques offers free group psychotherapy for adults 18-50 and group support for mothers.

If you are experiencing an immediate mental health crisis, please visit a crisis centre.

Intervention and short term housing is available @ Association Iris in Montreal North, Centre L’Autre Maison in Montreal South-West and Équipe Mobile de Crise Résolution in Montreal East. 24/7 hotline for over the phone intervention is available at Suicide Action Montreal (1-866-277-3553), Tracom (514-483-3033) and Le Transit (514-282-7753).

Part of this interview was used for episode 3 of Local 514, focused on the increase in need for mental health services in Montreal. To watch the full episode, click here.