On August 5, 2026, the Quebec psychiatrists’ association publicly urged the provincial government to create a dedicated minister for mental health. The appeal was accompanied by a proposal of six specific measures aimed at reducing both homelessness and suicide rates across the province.
The call was made by the association’s president, who highlighted that Quebec currently does not have a separate cabinet position focused solely on mental‑health issues. According to the president, the absence of a dedicated minister leaves the province ill‑equipped to address the growing challenges faced by individuals with mental‑health needs.
The six measures outlined by the association are intended to form a coordinated response to two of the most pressing outcomes linked to mental‑health crises: loss of housing and loss of life. While the details of each measure were not disclosed in the statement, the association emphasized that together they constitute a comprehensive strategy to intervene early, provide sustained support, and ultimately lower the incidence of homelessness and suicide.
Psychiatrists across Quebec have reported that the situation is deteriorating, with increasing numbers of patients experiencing severe distress and lacking adequate resources. The association argued that a minister dedicated to mental health would centralize policy development, streamline funding, and ensure that initiatives such as the six‑measure plan receive the attention and resources required for effective implementation.
By presenting the proposal to the provincial authorities, the psychiatrists’ association seeks to prompt legislative action that would formalize mental‑health governance at the cabinet level. The association believes that establishing a dedicated minister, together with the adoption of the proposed measures, could reverse current trends and provide a clearer pathway toward preventing homelessness and suicide in Quebec.