McNeil says Liberals would commit $34M to mental health services, clinicians

HALIFAX - Premier Stephen McNeil says a Liberal government would commit $34 million over four years to improve access to mental health services in Nova Scotia.

McNeil says 35 new mental health clinicians will be hired as part of the plan to work in collaborative health centres.

They will be added to the 51 mental health clinicians to be hired through the expansion of the SchoolsPlus program announced in the proposed budget last month.

The Liberals say if returned to power on May 30, they will also create a central intake system to ensure patients get the type of care they need.

The plan would also provide $2 million over two years to pilot four youth health centres in Nova Scotia schools.

McNeil was focusing his campaign in the Halifax area today along with NDP Leader Gary Burrill, while Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie planned to head outside the city to the Annapolis Valley.

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  Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil makes a campaign stop at the Dartmouth North Community Food Centre in Dartmouth, N.S. on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. (Andrew Vaughan / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  Nova Scotia NDP Leader Gary Burrill sports a smile as he makes a campaign stop in Halifax on Monday, May 1, 2017. (Andrew Vaughan / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie makes a campaign stop in Halifax on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. (Andrew Vaughan / THE CANADIAN PRESS)