More support for local youngsters with mental health challenges

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

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Orazietti announces more supports for young people with mental health challenges in Sault Ste. Marie

Provincial government continues to make progress on Mental Health Strategy

Sault Ste. Marie -  The provincial government is helping children, young people and their families in Sault Ste. Marie get quicker and easier access to the right mental health services and supports, David Orazietti MPP announced today.

“It is essential that members of our community with mental illness get the treatment they need and the support they deserve where they need it, closer to home,” said Orazietti. “The provincial mental health strategy will help ensure that residents of Sault Ste. Marie have greater access to quality mental health care and addiction services.”

Today’s announcement includes funding for a total of eight mental health workers in Sault Ste. Marie at Algoma Family Services, Canadian Mental Health Association (Sault Ste. Marie), Algoma District School Board and Huron Superior Catholic District School Board.

These workers are part of the 600 new mental health workers hired across the province, including:

144 nurses working directly in schools to support the early identification and treatment of students with potential mental health and/or addiction issues.
260 new workers in community mental health agencies to provide kids access to services closer to home.
21 new workers in the court system to keep youth out of the justice system and refer them instead to community-based services.
175 additional new workers in schools, who will provide kids support to address their mental health needs.

Ontario is also enhancing supports to prevent youth suicide with a focus on early intervention and peer-to-peer support.

Helping kids get the supports they need is part of the Ontario government’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy that is delivering high-quality, timely services and supports to kids and families while building awareness of mental health issues and reducing stigma.

The provincial government has made numerous investments to enhance community and hospital based mental health care services in Sault Ste. Marie.

The province increased base budget funding to local mental health organizations in 2004 for the first time in 12 years.

Since 2004 the province has increased support for mental health services locally including:

• $2.8 million for increased access to community-based mental health services
• $1.1 million for children’s mental health services, including $302,000 for telepsychiatry services so children can stay in Sault Ste. Marie and benefit from counselling services that they would normally have to travel across the province to receive

Quick facts

• Since 2003, the provincial government has increased funding by 80 percent for community mental health services and by 49 percent for addiction programs
• Approximately one in five Ontario children and young people have a mental health challenge, and 70 per cent of mental health challenges begin in childhood or adolescence.
• An estimated 20,000 more kids and their families are benefitting from the support and services provided by these new mental health workers.
• Over 50,000 kids and their families will benefit from Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.

Learn more

Find out how Ontario is helping children and youth with mental health challenges succeed.

Read Open Minds, Healthy Minds: Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.  

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