Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie has issued a call for a full-fledged inquiry into the province’s mental health system, but the idea is getting a cool reception from some quarters.

“I am calling on Premier Stephen McNeil and the government to call a public inquiry into the state of our mental health system here in Nova Scotia,” Baillie said Wednesday.

While Baillie says there is a moral imperative to pursue an inquiry, PC MLA John Lohr says it’s the complexity of the situation that makes a closer look necessary.

“There's just such a wide variety of issues being unaddressed, or could be addressed better that I believe that we need a public inquiry,” said Lohr, who lost his son to mental illness.

Baillie says the time is now to examine some of the gaps in the system, such as how a 14-year-old girl recently ended up at the police station when she went to the IWK to try to get help for mental illness.

The mother of that teen agrees an inquiry could be a good thing, under certain conditions.

“I think it is necessary. I think it would be a good thing, providing the right people were spoken to,” said Vicky Morinville.

Morinville, whose daughter’s situation was part of what prompted Wednesday’s announcement, says she would also be hesitant to support an inquiry because of the costs.

“Perhaps that money could be better spent providing more and better quicker access to mental health services,” she said.

Even some mental health advocates who support the idea of an inquiry are cautious about the proposal, saying that what matters most is action.

“My concern is that the inquiry is held and the actions are put out there, but nothing happens, that is my concern,” said Stephen Ayer of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia.

The provincial health minister says the government isn't considering an inquiry.

“We certainly do not need an inquiry into mental health and addictions services in the province. We are really in early years of a very, very strong strategy,” said Health Minister Leo Glavine.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kayla Hounsell