April 11, 2019
Addictions and Mental Health Ontario (AMHO) is pleased that the 2019 Ontario Budget has confirmed the government’s commitment to invest $3.8 billion on mental health and addiction services over the next ten years – starting in this fiscal year with an investment of $174 million.
The 2019 Ontario Budget demonstrates that the government recognizes the urgent need to invest in addiction and mental health services even in an otherwise economically restrained budget. This investment will have a positive impact on the lives of families across the province and will help in the government’s efforts to: end hallway health-care, reduce wait times to treatment and strengthen support for Ontario youth.
“Today’s budget reaffirms the government’s commitment to improving access to addiction and mental health services across the province. It also affirms that the government has listened to voices in the addiction and mental health sector calling for investments in community-based addiction and mental health services, supportive housing and in new innovative programs such as Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinics” said Adrienne Spafford, CEO of Addictions and Mental Health Ontario.
Addictions and Mental Health Ontario has long been advocating for the establishment of a comprehensive and connected mental health and addiction system, and the government’s commitment to achieve this through a focus on core services embedded in a stepped-care model and a robust data and measurement framework is the right approach.
With a commitment to invest up to $3.8 billion in addiction and mental health services over the next decade, the Ontario government has chosen to make a positive impact in the lives of families across the province.
AMHO looks forward to working with the Ontario government to ensure this funding is urgently delivered to community-based addiction and mental health services. Together we can build the addiction and mental health system that Ontarians deserve.
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