The inclusion of mental health under the purview of the province’s new Disabilities Advocate isn’t sitting right with one man who promotes mental health issues in the province.

Bill Jeffrey is a certified counsellor and proponent for the Men’s Shed project.

Jeffrey believes establishing a Disability Advocate is a “great step” for the province, but the mental health has its own nuances and it may not get the right focus.

He says when there is a broad mandate for an office, specific issues may not get the depth or attention they deserve.

Jeffrey says different issues require different types of advocacy. For example, he states mental health would look at crisis services, acute care, and addictions prevention, while disabilities will often look at more long term solutions. “It can be hard for a single structure to effectively address both of those.”