The mental health and addictions sector in Ontario has received a significant boost as the provincial government announced a $2.1 billion investment over the next four years. This is the largest single investment in mental health and addictions care in Canada.
The investment is wide ranging and covers many aspects of the mental health care system with the aim to help people across the lifespan no matter where they live in Ontario. Read details of the announcement, which the government says will create:
- more services and reduce wait times, particularly for young people seeking help and their families
- better access to service so that individuals can find the help through their school, at their doctor’s office or community agency like a CMHA branch
- improvements in client experiences and outcomes by creating core services and creating an evidence-based funding allocation model
Coming less than two months before a provincial vote, some critics called this an election tactic. However, those in the sector were applauding the commitment which will be included in the March 28, 2018 provincial budget.
“Today is an important day for any individual or family in Ontario who knows first-hand the challenges of living with a mental health or addictions issue,” said Camille Quenneville, CEO of CMHA Ontario. “We believe this historic announcement to be a monumental first step to fixing a mental health and addiction system that has been in crisis for many years.”
“We believe this investment will go a long way towards expanding access to services and addressing critical gaps in the system,” said Gail Czukar, CEO of Addictions and Mental Health Ontario. “What makes today’s announcement historic is not only the significant sum of the investment, but it’s also how comprehensive the approach is.”
Read details of the government announcement.