ON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

MPP Anand’s twenty-ninth Members’ Statement was on the topic of “Mental Health Services”, delivered on 8 July 2020.

See full transcript below:

“Some moments leave a deep mark in our life. On Saturday, the night of June 20, I got a call from Mr. Imtiaz of Malton Masjid regarding 62-year-old Mr. Ejaz Choudry, who tragically died in a police-involved incident. We all can agree that any death in our community is a tragedy. These incidents have shaken the families and my community, and it is clear that more needs to be done.

Peel police, with CMHA, has mobile crisis rapid response teams. These teams respond to the emergency calls where mental health concerns are identified, and assist individuals in distress. A crisis worker with a specially trained police officer provides an on-site assessment to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. I call on the Peel Police Services Board to work collaboratively with the government to expand these types of proven, successful programs that will support those experiencing a mental health crisis, including the mobile crisis rapid response teams in Peel region.

I want to convey my heartfelt thanks to Malton Masjid for financially supporting the family, Jame Masjid for donating $10,000, and to the whole community for coming together and donating over $128,000 through GoFundMe to support the family. These recent tragedies remind us that more work needs to be done, and there is an urgent need for constructive dialogue.”