Psychiatrists want mental illness included in support program

The P.E.I. Psychiatric Association is critical of the provincial government for seeking a judicial review ofa Human Rights Commission decision that would allow people withmental illnessaccess toa government disability support program.

"I don't see any other way that could be seen other than discrimination to say that this person cannot work because they have a physical disability, therefore {they're}eligible for Disability Supports Program Nobody has an issue with that, but then to say, well,this person also is disabled if not moreso because of their psychiatric disability but they get no funding. That's clearly discrimination."said Dr. Robert Jay, representing the association.

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The province is asking forMarch ruling by the commission that it was discriminatory to exclude people with mental illness from the Disability Supports Program reviewed by a judge. Currently, the program only offers services to residents with physical or intellectual disabilities.

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