Ontario Expanding Mental Health and Addictions Services in Nipissing

Press Release

February 18, 2022

Funding Will Improve Access to Specialized Addictions Services and Supports

NORTH BAY — The Ontario government is investing $6.84 million through the new Addictions Recovery Fund to immediately enhance access to bed-based addictions treatment supports at Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology. This funding will provide access to a total of 53 new addictions treatment beds, including nine new withdrawal management services beds, 24 new addictions treatment beds, and 20 new supportive treatment beds. These new beds will help hundreds of Ontarians in Nipissing and the surrounding region access specialized addictions treatment, including access to culturally-sensitive supports for Indigenous clients.

“Both before and during the pandemic, we’ve seen a surge in demand for high-quality addictions care that addresses the unique needs of vulnerable populations across Ontario,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “This historic investment is an important step forward to protect our progress in our fight against COVID-19, and ensuring that individuals and families in Nipissing and the surrounding region have targeted, reliable access to the help they expect and deserve.”

Studies have shown that opioid-related deaths surged by 79 per cent during the first two waves of the pandemic, with rates being three times higher in Northern Ontario. To meet the demand for treatment, the new Addictions Recovery Fund will support almost 400 new addictions treatment beds across the province, helping to stabilize and provide care for approximately 7,000 clients per year. This includes clients in northern, rural and Indigenous communities. Addictions Recovery Fund investments in other addictions services and supports across the province include:

Six new Youth Wellness Hubs offering developmentally tailored primary care and mental health and addictions treatment for youth ages 12 to 25;
Two new Mobile Mental Health Clinics to provide a full suite of mental health and addictions services directly to individuals living in remote, rural and underserved communities;
Three new police-partnered Mobile Crisis Response Teams to support individuals in a mental health or addictions crisis;
Support for Indigenous-led land-based healing services; and
Additional community supports including day/evening intensive treatment, mild to moderate intensive treatment, and after-care programs.

“The impacts of mental health and addictions challenges can be felt in communities across the province, and our government is committed to supporting all Ontarians on their journey to wellness,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By investing in targeted addictions services, we are making it easier for people facing addictions challenges to find and access support where and when they need it.”

“There have been mental health and addictions challenges in our community for some time,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “Today’s investment of 53 new beds, through Canadore College, will increase access to support services for those dealing with addiction and provide the opportunity to grow and prosper.”

Quick Facts

The $90 million Addictions Recovery Fund complements, but is separate from, the $175 million Roadmap to Wellness investment announced in the 2021 Budget, and is being invested over three years. Investments of $7.2 million are being made in 2021-22, and $41.39 million in each of 2022-23 and 2023-24.
As part of Budget 2021, Ontario is investing $32.7 million in new annualized funding for targeted addictions services and supports, including treatment for opioid addictions. This funding is part of the government’s commitment to invest $3.8 billion over 10 years to implement Roadmap to Wellness, Ontario’s comprehensive plan to build a modern, connected, and high-quality mental health and addictions system centred around the needs of individuals and their families.
As part of this $32.7 million investment in annualized funding, the Ontario government committed $18.8 million towards bed-based addictions services for adults and youth who need intensive supports. This investment included $7.85 million for a total of 90 new treatment beds. This builds on Ontario Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence call for applications for new beds in substance use treatment services that was issued to health service providers across the province.
In 2020-2021, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the province invested up to $194 million in one-time emergency funding for mental health and addictions services.
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 can also register their patients for this service.
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

“As police, we are faced daily with the devastating impact drug abuse and addiction has on individual lives and the ripple effects of crime and social disorder that addiction causes in communities across Ontario. We also know that, as police, we need the collaboration of our community partners to provide an effective, holistic response to the crisis of drug addiction. I am encouraged to see this investment in bed-based addiction treatment services for North Bay that will help address the needs of some of our community’s most vulnerable.”

– Chief Scott Tod
North Bay Police

“These targeted supports are necessary for healing First Nations communities, where addictions and mental health have long been a crisis. Access to safe and effective mental health and addictions services through First Nations-led approaches will ensure the health and safety of First Nations and prosperity for future generations. I am pleased with today’s announcement of new investments benefitting First Nations across our region where it was much needed. ”

– Glen Hare
Ontario Regional Chief

“Canadore College is pleased to be leading the change with community partners to provide much-needed mental health and addictions treatment services in the North. The establishment of the Addictions and Mental Health Treatment Centre of Excellence adds a much-needed resource to the North. The service and treatment model fits with the vision Canadore has for The Village, the first health and wellness educational facility of its kind in Canada that blends Indigenous, Eastern, and Western practices – all of which embrace the concept of a healthy mind, body, and spirit. As this new mental health and addictions centre integrates with existing service providers, our students will benefit from experiential learning opportunities led by an interprofessional faculty team. Indigenous Studies programs offered through The Village will allow us to provide culturally safe and appropriate mental health and addiction services for Indigenous clients. Canadore College has long been an economic driver in the region. We are thankful that now, with this support from the Government of Ontario, we will also be at the forefront of providing mental health and addiction services to the North. ”

– George Burton
President and CEO of Canadore College

Additional Resources