The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Acting Minister of Mental Health and Addictions:

 Speaker, this past weekend marked the beginning of a new era of mental health and addictions treatment in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Our province’s new Mental Health and Addictions Centre opened, replacing the 170-year-old Waterford Hospital with a modern space that is patient-centred and more conducive to recovery and healing.

The new centre has 102 inpatient beds, with another 14 acute care rooms at the Health Sciences Centre, for a total of 116 beds in the metro region.

We are excited that this new facility has been well-received by individuals with lived experience of mental health illness and addictions, family members, local advocates, and the community.

Speaker, we remain focused on improving mental health and addictions services for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Budget 2025 includes funding to support services throughout all regions of the province, such as expanding addiction treatment services, establishing stepped-down mental health facilities and wraparound community-based supports, additional naloxone kits, continued investment in the Harm Reduction Team, and expanding the services of the opioid dependence treatment hubs.

Speaker, we’re excited about this new era for mental health and addictions treatment.

With this new facility, six beds in Labrador, 24 beds in Central Newfoundland, and 20 beds in Western Newfoundland, we are ensuring people can receive mental health and substance use care closer to home and live a life of meaning and wellness.

Thank you, Speaker.