Province’s fall economic statement includes support for mental health and addictions

Ontario has committed to support the mental health and well-being of health and long-term care workers across the province as part of its 2021 fall economic statement.

The province is investing $12.4 million over two years starting in 2021–22 to continue rapid access to existing and expanded mental health and addictions supports. These treatment options include one-to-one psychotherapy and workshops provided by partners including CMHA Ontario, the Ontario Psychological Association and five hospitals. This funding will also support needs assessments, online peer support, workplace mental health training and intervention services at select hospitals to help frontline workers whose mental health has been impacted by workplace and occupational stress.

The funding to CMHA Ontario will support its social enterprise Mental Health Works to design and launch a new program to support the mental health of frontline workers in health-related fields. Frontline workers in hospitals, home and community care, long-term care homes and other environments are battling through burnout and stress amid the pandemic.

Leaders in the mental health and addictions sector thanked the government for these investments and encouraged the government to go further in responding to the escalating overdose crisis and the rise in deaths due to overdose. Read their full statement here.