Earlier today, the City of Toronto unveiled “Our Health, Our City: A Mental Health, Substance Use, Harm Reduction, and Treatment Strategy for Toronto.” This comprehensive strategy highlights the City’s dedication to mitigating substance use-related harms and fostering mental health and well-being for all residents of Toronto. The strategic release aligns with National Addictions Awareness Week, observed from November 19 to 25, focusing on proactive solutions to combat the adverse effects of substance use.
“Our Health, Our City” provides recommendations tailored to diverse age groups, acknowledging Toronto’s growing, aging and increasingly diverse population. The strategy is designed to address chronic illnesses while tackling specific social and health inequities, aiming to uplift marginalized groups.
Shaped by the lived experiences of Torontonians navigating mental health and substance use challenges, the strategy incorporates insights from experts, community leaders, frontline staff and City officials. These perspectives were gathered through interviews, roundtables and advisory groups and proved pivotal in shaping the strategy.