Our response to Ontario’s investment in mental health and addictions

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.)  welcomes yesterday’s (March 21) announcement by Premier Kathleen Wynne, committing a $2.1-billion investment in mental health and addictions care over four years (https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2018/03/ontario-making-historic-investment-in-mental-health-care.html).  The funding is intended to improve care, reduce waitlists and increase access across the province.

“Today is a historic day and a cause for celebration as the provincial government announces a $2.1-billion investment over four years in the mental health and addictions sector. This announcement is a monumental first step towards bolstering significant investment to fix a mental health and addictions system that has been in crisis for many years. It also reflects a commitment to enhance services across the lifespan, which means children, adults and seniors will get the help they need when they need it,” says Mark Graham, CEO of C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R..

“With a no-wrong-door approach, this investment will make it easier to access services through a school, family doctor’s office or community-based organization. It will create better pathways to service, which remains a longstanding challenge for those individuals and caregivers attempting to navigate the mental health system.”

This investment includes plans to increase services, provide greater access and improve quality of services delivered. Funding will be focused on areas such as getting off to a good start, making a healthy transition into adulthood, building a happy and healthy life and supporting mental health through every stage in life.

The commitment will allow as many as 350,000 more people with mild to moderate anxiety or depression across the province to have access to publicly funded structured psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy, closer to home in settings like their doctor’s office or a community organization.

It will also create 2,475 more supportive housing units over four years for those who require care in safe, affordable and appropriate housing.

For more information about this investment, visit www.ontario.ca.

The public is invited to show their support for continued investment in mental health and addictions care by signing the petition online at www.erasethedifference.ca and spreading the word through social media using the hashtag #erasethedifference.

For more information, please contact Mark Graham, CEO of C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.by calling 705-748-6687 extension 1008or emailing mgraham@cmhahkpr.ca.