Thanks so much, Paul.
Specifically, we are proposing a three-part emergency-based response as the first steps of a Canadian grief strategy. First, Canadians need expanded access to grief services where they live. Grief services that were largely under-resourced before the pandemic are now bursting at the seams, trying to meet skyrocketing demands. In many parts of the country, there are long wait-lists or a complete absence of grief services. Without sufficient grief services, the risks for mental health issues to develop will increase. Communities disproportionally impacted by the pandemic, including racialized and indigenous communities, are also being disproportionately impacted by grief. Grief support services and programs led by and for these communities are essential.
Second, we propose a national public awareness campaign to increase Canadians' understanding of grief and provide education and strategies to help Canadians grieving in isolation to cope. Such a campaign would also acknowledge our collective grief as a country.
Third, Canadians have never experienced this depth and breadth of grief and loss before. We propose a rapid national consultation in the immediate term, and dedicated research funding in the months to come that would allow us to better understand pandemic-related and affected grief. We have a model that would allow us to complete such a consultation within about two months, as we are very connected to organizations doing this work and are engaged with diverse communities across the country.
The emergency measures that I have just outlined are necessary but not sufficient to quell the rising tide of grief and its anticipated medium- and long-term social, economic and mental health impacts on Canadian society. Current mental health spending does not include grief services. Grief is falling through the cracks. We urge you to implement a Canadian grief strategy that brings together federal government departments, provincial and territorial partners and NGOs to build a coordinated, sustained and evidence-based response to the growing needs of grieving Canadians.
Grief cuts across the government's work in health and public health, from dementia to substance use, indigenous communities and children. We envision the strategy as having a lasting place within the framework of government. A Canadian grief strategy will help prevent significant mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities across the country now and in the months and years to come. Canada has the opportunity to be a true leader by being the first country worldwide to commit to a grief strategy in the wake of COVID-19. On behalf of an ever-growing number of grieving Canadians, we urge you not to miss this opportunity.
Thank you.