The new Provincial Advisory Council on Addiction and Mental Health includes three members from Central Alberta.
Fifteen volunteer members were appointed by Alberta Health Services in early May to seek public feedback on the delivery of mental health and addiction care and provide advice regarding challenges and gaps.
The council is not responsible for resolving patient concerns.
AHS was looking for members whose lives have been touched by addiction or mental health issues either as a patient or through the experience of family or friends.
Geoffrey Tagg, of Red Deer, was named council chair.
Tagg was a member of the former Alberta Mental Health Board while working in Rocky Mountain House and has experience with friends and family with addiction and mental health issues.
Tagg, former superintendent for Wild Rose Public Schools and retired deputy superintendent for Clearview Public Schools, is a volunteer member of the Young Justice Committee in Red Deer and the Provincial Attendance Board in Central Alberta.
Tagg said very often students in trouble with the law or truancy have underlying mental health problems.
The council owes it to those dealing with mental health and addictions to take a good look at the issues, like access to programs and professionals, and to get as much input as possible, he said.
“The task appears to be quite enormous. It sounds tremendously exciting and tremendously challenging,” said Tagg on Friday.
Other Central Alberta members include Peter LeBlanc, of Camrose, a volunteer facilitator with the program Men At Risk that aims to reduce the rates of suicide among men.
Member Karen Andresen, of Red Deer, has a background in social work and psychology.
The council meets for the first time June 8 and 9 in Calgary.
They will meet about three times a year, or more often if deemed necessary, in either Calgary or Edmonton. Other locations may be chosen. Meetings are open to the public.
Members are appointed for two or three-year periods, with the option of renewal, to a maximum of six years.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com