HaldimandFunding Will Help Improve Access to High-Quality Mental Health and Addictions Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Nov. 5, 2021
TOWNSEND — The Ontario government is improving access to high-quality mental health and addictions care for unserved and underserved areas in Haldimand-Norfolk, Niagara and the surrounding region by investing in a new mobile mental health and addictions clinic (MMHAC). As committed through Ontario’s 2021 budget, the government is creating four new mobile mental health and addictions clinics to provide a full suite of mental health and addictions services directly to individuals living in remote, rural and underserved communities across Ontario.
This mobile mental health and addictions clinic will help to protect Ontario’s progress in the fight against COVID-19 by addressing the increased demand for mental health supports during the pandemic. As the clinic operates by bringing services via a clinical team that will travel to the communities that need them, it reduces the need for people to travel to find services and can meet more clients in more places. This is a critical investment, part of the government’s plan to build a modern, connected mental health and addictions system to serve Ontarians of all ages, especially for those living in rural and remote communities that have identified gaps in mental health and addictions services.
“Through our government’s Roadmap to Wellness, we are committed to breaking down barriers to accessing high-quality mental health and addictions services where and when it’s needed,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This innovative partnership will help to bring needed mental health and addictions services directly to individuals living in Haldimand-Norfolk, Niagara and the surrounding areas.”
The clinic will include a multidisciplinary team of mental health and addictions service providers, as well as appropriately trained social workers and/or nurse practitioners who can deliver a wide range of services, including intake and brief services, referrals to existing services, and psychiatric support and follow-up.
Community Addiction and Mental Health Services (CAMHS) of Haldimand and Norfolk, which provides a continuum of community-based services for persons with mental illness and/or addiction concerns within Haldimand and Norfolk Counties, will be the organization responsible for overseeing the development and operation of the mobile mental health clinic in the region.
“Since the release of Roadmap to Wellness last year, our government’s top priority has been to continue making critical investments that will fill urgent gaps in mental health and addictions care, reduce waiting lists and address extensive wait times,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Through the development of the mobile mental health and addictions clinic, clients and families in Haldimand-Norfolk, Niagara and the surrounding region will have greater access to high-quality, evidence-based care, in a setting where they are fully supported on their journey towards recovery.”
Quick Facts
- As part of Roadmap to Wellness, the 2021 Budget committed $175 million in new annualized funding to expand and enhance mental health and addictions services this year, contributing to a total increase of $525 million in net new annualized funding for mental health and addictions services since 2019. Roadmap to Wellness investments have supported a range of services, including for children and youth, justice-related services, mobile crisis teams, supportive housing and programs supporting at-risk populations.
- In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, in 2020-21 the province invested up to $194 million in one-time emergency funding for mental health and addictions services, including virtual supports which have been accessed by more than 111,000 Ontarians.
- Ontario is also investing $23.6 million to support internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which has been accessed by over 68,900 Ontarians since the province launched this program during the COVID-19 pandemic, including over 6,100 health care workers.
- The Ontario government is investing $2.5 million in Breaking Free Online, an innovative therapy tool that makes it faster and easier for Ontarians to access safe and effective addictions supports. Ontarians can register at www.breakingfreeonline.ca and have free access to programming and resources for two years. Mental health and addictions service providers, such as counselors and therapists, can also register their patients for this service to complement their addiction treatment program.
- Under the 2021 Budget, Ontario is investing an additional $1.8 billion in the hospital sector in 2021-2022, bringing the total additional investment in hospitals since the start of the pandemic to over $5.1 billion. This includes an increase of $778 million in funding to meet current and future demands for services, and ensures all publicly funded hospitals will receive a minimum 1 per cent increase to help them keep pace with patient needs and to increase access to high-quality care for patients and families across Ontario.
- Visit COVID-19: Support for People to find information about the many available, confidential and free mental health and addictions services and supports for Ontarians of all ages.
| Quotes “The creation of the Mobile Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) Clinic model is evidence of the Ontario government’s recognition of the intrinsic value and cohesiveness of the town and hamlet communities of rural Ontario, the understanding of the challenges of distance and travel across the rural landscape, and a commitment to ensure close to home access to a broad suite of MHA services to all Ontarians.” – Nancy Candy-Harding CEO, Community Addiction and Mental Health Services of Haldimand and Norfolk “This is very good news for Haldimand-Norfolk. It is no secret our area has been struggling with both mental health and addictions issues for quite some time. Access to timely services has always been a complaint that has come into my office – a mobile unit will provide that much-needed timely help and will go a long way toward getting people back on their feet again.” – Toby Barrett MPP, Haldimand-Norfolk “The mobile mental health and addictions clinic will help improve access to high-quality health care for clients and families in rural Niagara. This clinic will include a multidisciplinary team of mental health and addictions service providers and is a key part of the four pillars of our government’s Roadmap to Wellness plan.” – Sam Oosterhoff MPP, Niagara West |
-30-
For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org