CMHA Ontario lauds the efforts of federal health minister Jane Philpott for wanting to put a focus on mental health.
Philpott went out of her way to mention she wants new funds to be targeted for mental health and system innovation efforts.
Philpott made the comments Oct. 18 at the end of meeting of federal and provincial health ministers in Toronto. The meeting was to discuss a plan for health care funding to the provinces. Philpott went out of her way to mention she wants new funds to be targeted for mental health and system innovation efforts.
The comments were picked up by such media outlets as the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.
CMHA Ontario and other mental health organizations had called for significant enhancements to health and addictions care before the meeting.
Ontario’s Mental Health and Addictions Leadership Advisory Council is asking for funding for supportive housing and structured psychotherapy. In particular, the demand for supportive housing is immense. In Ontario alone, at least 30,000 people are in need. The Council estimates it will take an investment of as much as $693 million annually to create the supportive housing system needed to help those waiting for service.
CMHA Ontario is pleased the federal government shares the same concerns and looks forward to working with it to lessen these issues.