Ontario investing $176M to expand access to critical mental health services
The Ontario government is investing an additional $176 million this year to help expand access for critical mental health and addictions supports during the pandemic.
The funding is part of the province’s $3.8 billion investment to be made over 10 years and helps with, A Roadmap to Wellness, plan to deliver a modernized and connected mental health and addictions system.
“Our incredible mental health workers and researchers carry out important work each and every day to help people cope with serious issues and save lives,” said Premier Doug Ford.
“Today’s ongoing investment not only delivers on our government’s historic commitment to invest billions in mental health over 10 years, but it will also provide care for thousands of people, including frontline health workers and first responders, who need such critical supports during these challenging times.”
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The increased funding will help community-based services in English and French, including services for children and youth; mental health and justice services; supportive housing for individuals with serious mental health and addiction challenges, and who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; community and residential addictions; increased supports for Indigenous peoples, families, and communities; and more hospital in-patient beds for mental health and addiction patients.
As part of this funding, the province said it is investing in targeted community and residential addictions services by providing $4 million for nurse practitioners for detox services.
An additional $8 million has been allotted for addictions day and evening care, as well as $3.5 million for in-home services in remote areas, and $900,000 for an additional four inpatient beds at CAMH.
On Wednesday, Premier Ford made the announcement at the opening of the McCain Complex Care and Recovery Building and the Crisis and Critical Care Building.
The space provides capacity for 235 inpatient beds, Ontario’s first 24/7 emergency department dedicated to mental health, and new and expanded ambulatory programs.
The province is providing $633 million to support the CAMH project.
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