On Point: Making mental health a political issue

Waiting lists for mental health services in Newfoundland and Labrador are among some of the longest in the country, an indication that there is much work to do in terms of addressing mental illness as a public policy issue.

On the latest edition of On Point, guest host Peter Cowan took the program on location, for a special discussion shot at the Hungry Heart Cafe in St. John's.

Guests include lawyer Mark Gruchy, Denise Hillier of Stella's Circle, Ron Fitzpatrick of the support group Turnings,education advocate Donna Kavanagh, actor Andy Jones and psychiatrist Nizar Ladha.

Each participant has long had an involvement with mental health issues, from various points of view. Click on the video to see their discussion.