If you would like to write to your Provincial Minister, please feel free to use these templates to start your letter and make whatever changes necessary to reflect your own situation.

Write a letter to;

Your Minister of Health

A sample letter to the Ministry of Health, Drug Plan and Health Benefits

Date
Name Minister of Health
Legislature City, Province

Dear Minister,

Re: Treatment Options for ADHD

I am writing to express my agreement that all medication options for ADHD should be available to those covered by provincial drug plans. A neurobiological disorder, ADHD is an illness of the nervous system and the most common mental health disorder diagnosed in children. It is estimated that five to twelve per cent of Canadian children are living with ADHD, including my daughter.

Although my family is covered by a private health plan, we are very aware of the difference the right medication has made in my daughter's life. She is having success at school for the first time and even able to join in after school activities. Until we found the right medication and dosage – which took over a year and several trials on different medications – she had times in the day when her symptoms were not controlled. She was therefore not able to pay attention long enough to learn and her impulsivity resulted in several suspensions.

As a family, we are very concerned that other children may not be able to access the “right” medication to allow them to succeed because they are receiving their medication through the provincial health care plan. At this time none of the new once-a day medications are available through our provincial drug plan.

My family strongly urges you to review the list of ADHD treatments available on the provincial drug plan and include new once-a-day medications. If you would like further information or to speak to with me, please feel free to call me at 416-555-5555.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
~your signature~

OR

Write a letter to;

Your Minister of Education

A sample letter to the Ministry of Education

Date

Name Minister of Education
Legislature City, Province

Dear Minister,

Re: Equal Access to Education

Each year, we are anxious and frightened as to how we will try to navigate through an education system that doesn’t recognize my child’s ADHD as a disorder - a neurological disorder that is medically-recognized and that requires treatment.

And each year, we are frustrated at the stigma associated with a chronic lack of awareness of ADHD, as well as a lack of support and resources for a disorder that affects thousands of children.

Our Ministry of Education, as well as school communities, needs to know that ADHD is not a behavioural issue, that it can’t be “cured” by changing diet, that it’s not a result of poor parenting, that the kids who suffer from it aren’t bad kids, and that I am not unnecessarily “drugging” my child.

They also need to know it’s a genuine medical condition, that many kids with ADHD are very bright, that it affects up to 12 per cent of school children, and that it’s stressful for parents and hard to deal with for kids. They need to know that children and adolescents with untreated ADHD are at greater risk for things like poor self-esteem and substance abuse, and that they are at greater risk of dropping out of school.

Most importantly, they need to act. The Ministry of Education needs to give these kids a helping hand by officially recognizing their disorder, allowing it to qualify them as exceptional learners and providing the support and resources they need. It is the right of all children to be able to access education in a way that will allow them to succeed and reach their full potential.

My family strongly urges you to take action and allow these kids the quality education they deserve as proud Canadians. If you would like further information or to speak with me, please feel free to call me at 416-555-5555.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
~your signature~