There are 400 people in Guelph with psychiatric illnesses who are in crisis. They are on an urgent waiting list to see a psychiatrist. That waiting list is 4 months long. I have four very unstable patients that I am following every week in order to make sure they are safe. That's four appointments every week that could be used by patients with other concerns and although I love working with people with mental health and addiction issues, I am not the prescriber who should be making sure they stay alive while they wait. This is beyond unacceptable. Check the obits on GuelphToday.com and you will see the results of an under-serviced psychiatric system. Kudos to everyone on the front lines of this mess who desperately try to close the massive gaps in care. Please do not burn out. This is the result of irresponsible and ignorant governance. Let's get the teachers what they are asking for and then turn our attention to health care.
