Webcast
Ontario is expanding mental health and addictions services for children and youth across Northwestern Ontario.
Michael Tibollo is the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and says $1 million in additional annual funding is being invested to reduce waitlists and address extensive wait times for services across the region.
“The big concern always is that when someone has, especially when we deal with youth, when a person is diagnosed or assessed with a mental health issue, the quicker we give them the supports they need the better the outcome will be.”
Tibollo says the support will reduce travel times, improve follow-up’s, and keep more people at home for care.
He says this investment is critical as mental health and addiction rates have soared as a result of COVID-19.
Those benefiting from the provincial funding include:
-FIREFLY in Kenora/Rainy River: $200,900 in annualized funding to support a range of core services offered including grief services, counselling, therapy and specialized consultation.
-Indigenous programming: $427,000 for community-based-child, youth and family service agencies that provide core mental health and addictions services, including live-in treatment programs, as well as organizations that provide Indigenous core-like services.
-Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority: $61,600 to increase access to community-led services and expand the psychiatry program for children and youth.
-Children’s Centre Thunder Bay: $320,600 to enhance services to support and strengthen parent/child relationships an improve the mental health of children and youth in need.
To hear more from Michael Tibollo, visit the Audio link below:
