[Developing services for patients who need long-term care]

Attempts at regional planning in the Outaouais have shown that it is difficult to open up mental health services for underprivileged clienteles that are more vulnerable. Nonetheless, services can be offered by developing partnerships between institutions and community groups, while ensuring that individual expertise and local differences are respected. However, the healthcare and social services network must learn how to build intersectorial mechanisms that can change the socio-economic conditions which explain the conditions of patients and their exclusion. With budget cuts in the background, the participation of citizens could make all the difference.