(Toronto – Jan. 29, 2025) – Despite the province facing a drug-poisoning crisis, homelessness crisis and increased mental health and addictions issues, none of the leaders of Ontario’s major political parties acknowledged mental health and addictions as a central issue during their respective election campaign launches this morning.
“This issue should be front and centre in discussions on Ontario’s future,” said CMHA Ontario CEO Camille Quenneville. “If our leaders are serious about prioritizing the needs of Ontarians, we need someone to step up who will go beyond the status quo to meaningfully tackle the deeper challenges facing our sector.
“As the election campaign continues, we need and expect these leaders to bring forward concrete solutions that make mental health and addictions a priority issue. Our sector itself is reaching a crisis point and we need immediate attention to these pressing issues facing Ontarians and a significant boost to housing and crisis services if we’re going to address these matters in a fulsome, lasting manner.”
The community mental health and addictions sector has long called for more comprehensive plans to address the system’s health human resource challenges, including sufficient funding to retain the necessary workforce and ensure Ontarians can access the care they need, when they need it. In a province that has seen a sharp increase in demand for mental health support, the failure to include these critical issues as a core part of this campaign is concerning for mental health advocates and communities alike.
FAST FACTS:
- More than 80,000 Ontarians experienced homelessness in 2024. Homelessness has increased in the province by 50 per cent in the past 8 years.
- There are between 2,500 and 3,000 opioid toxicity deaths annually in Ontario (around one death every three hours) largely due to the toxic, unregulated drug supply.
- Research shows that for every dollar invested in covering psychological services in Canada, two dollars is saved for society over the long-term.
About Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is a not-for-profit, charitable organization funded by the provincial government. We work to improve the lives of all Ontarians through leadership, collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-based mental health and addictions services. Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the mental health of all people. We are a trusted advisor to government, contributing to health systems development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health.
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For more information, contact:
Elham Bidgoli
Communications Director, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
E: ebidgoli@ontario.cmha.ca