Toronto, May 1, 2023 – Additions and Mental Health Ontario is proud to celebrate Mental Health Week and acknowledge not only those who have the courage to come forward and seek help, but also those who work tirelessly on our front lines to ensure access to the services needed.
Ontario continues to experience an addiction and mental health crisis, as demand is increasing at an exponential rate, leading to higher wait times. Together with our members and system partners, AMHO continues to support system transformation to ensure Ontarians are receiving timely, high-quality, and barrier-free access to the supports they need.
“Mental Health Week is an opportunity for an open discussion about addiction, mental health and the importance of eliminating the stigma around accessing care,” said AMHO CEO Alisha Tharani. “We want to recognize the resilience of those who have faced addiction and mental health challenges and have started the journey to getting the care they need.”
Recently, the provincial government announced a base increase of 5 per cent for community-based addiction and mental health care. AMHO would like to thank the government for taking this step to help stabilize the sector while acknowledging that this is a first step and there is more work to do. Consistent and sustained funding is critical to establishing a sector which can effectively meet Ontarians’ needs for addiction and mental health care, where and when they need it, now and into the future.
As we begin Mental Health Week, AMHO encourages everyone to prioritize their mental health, reach out for support if needed, and engage in conversations that promote mental health awareness.