Ontario is spending cash for local mental health and addictions organizations in Waterloo Wellington to provide care closer to home for those who are experiencing challenges.
Ontario is also creating a province-wide registry of mental health beds to connect those experiencing a mental health crisis with the closest available bed.
The Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network is spending $2 million for 2014-15 in local communities for high priority services such as:
– funding for 12 new spots for an extraordinary needs program that provides supports connected to housing for persons with severe and persistent mental health and/or addictions issues;
– new cash to support community based counselling treatment, specifically for those with eating disorders and self-harm issues;
– new spending for addictions support coordination or addictions-specific case management;
– new cash to extend the current mobile crisis team working with Waterloo Regional Police into Guelph Police and the Wellington OPP; and
– new funding to support Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams to serve more people in a mobile capacity who have severe and persistent mental health and/or addictions issues.
The next phase of Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy includes $138 million over three years for community agencies to support improvements to mental health and addictions services, through Local Health Integration Networks.
Supporting mental health and addictions services closer to home is part of the provincial Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care. It is also part of the government’s four-part plan to build Ontario up by spending to enable people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Dr. Eric Hoskins said, “We have all been touched by mental health and addiction challenges – whether through a friend, a co-worker, a family member or our own experience. By continuing to invest in community services, we’re helping to connect people with the support they need closer to home through settings that are more culturally appropriate and personal.” He added these spending “will improve the lives of people experiencing mental illness and addictions challenges – and the families that help care for them.”
Guelph MPP Liz Sandals said, “These investments in local mental health and addictions agencies will make it easier for residents of Guelph Wellington and Waterloo to access services when they need help the most. I am especially pleased that the very successful mobile crisis team working will be extended into Guelph Police and Rural Wellington OPP.”
