February 8, 2017
The Government of Ontario is investing $140 million over three years to expand supportive housing, psychotherapy and youth wellness hubs.
Making the announcement at Routes, CMHA Toronto’s social resource centre, Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins said this investment will:
- provide up to 1,150 additional supportive housing units for persons living with mental health and addictions issues;
- help develop a provincial structured psychotherapy program while expanding existing programs;
- increase and expand support for up to nine youth service hubs where people aged 12 to 25 can receive integrated, walk-in access to mental health and addictions services and supports.
To sustain these expansions, $50 million per year will be invested in the subsequent years.
These investments are rooted in the recommendations from the Mental Health and Addictions Leadership Advisory Council. AMHO is proud to have a seat at the Council and endorses the recommendations contained in their second report Moving Forward: Better Mental Health Means Better Health.
“Today’s announcement is a great first step forward,” said Gail Czukar, AMHO CEO. “We’re pleased that the Minister has listened to the Council, and we’re hopeful for additional investments to come through in the upcoming federal and provincial budgets, and the Health Accord, so that we can make positive, substantive change for the people in Ontario struggling to access addiction and mental health services and supports.”
”We will continue to build on this momentum and look forward to working closely with the government to deliver on the commitments made by the Minister today.”
AMHO’s pre-budget submissions and presentations encouraged the government to implement the advice from the Council, and we’re pleased that the Minister is supporting these recommendations.
View the Council report here, the news release for today’s announcement here, and AMHO’s budget recommendations here.
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