Interim Federal Health Program: Mental Health

Mental Health Problems Dept: The new categories of coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program will further stigmatize people with mental health problems and that confusion over the cuts is creating added stress for a population that already has unique mental health challenges, they say, according to CBC. "But then when you're telling people that their children will not be covered for health care or they will not be able to access certain medications, it really is creating a tremendous amount of stress." The federal government's recent changes to the refugee health program are putting refugees at greater risk of suicide and mental health issues, frontline workers warn. "I really feel it has aggravated people's mental health issues and there is a high burden of post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety in this population to start with," said Dr. Meb Rashid, medical director of the Crossroads Clinic at Women's College Hospital in Toronto. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.