Ontario Investing $5.2 Million to Expand Mental Health Care for Teens
Province Expanding Youth Beds and Treatment
May 5, 2015
Ontario is helping more teenagers with mental health challenges get the treatment and care they need by investing in a unique mental health facility for transitional aged youth that are 16-19 years old.
Operated by Youthdale Treatment Centres, the facility will have 10 beds to treat approximately 175 youth each year, as well as a day program to care for 150 young people and services to respond to approximately 6,000 referrals.
Helping youth transition to adult services is part of the next phase of Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy. The 2015 Budget proposes $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 government’s plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, which is providing patients with faster access to the right care, better home and community care, the information they need to stay healthy and a health care system that’s sustainable for generations to come.
- Youthdale helps 5,000 children with mental health issues and their families each year.
- Ontario recently announced an investment of $2.75 million to improve access to mental health care and reduce wait times at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health in Penetanguishene, the Royal in Ottawa and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Services in Whitby.
- Approximately 30 per cent of Ontarians will experience a mental health and/or substance abuse challenge at some point in their lifetime, with one in 40 Ontarians experiencing a serious mental illness.
- This year, Mental Health Week runs from May 4 to 10.
- Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care.
- The next phase of Ontario’s comprehensive mental health and addictions strategy.
- Open Minds, Healthy Minds: Ontario’s comprehensive mental health and addictions strategy.
- Find help for people experiencing problems with alcohol, drugs, mental health or gambling.
“Our government is committed to improving equity and access to high quality mental health services. We know that the transition into adulthood is a critical time when mental health challenges can begin to develop. It is imperative that young people are able to access the services they need to stay healthy and on the right path to adulthood.”
“The transition into adulthood can be a stressful and confusing time for youth, especially for those faced with mental health issues. That’s why our government is working to provide the mental health supports that our 16 to 19-year-olds need to make a smooth and successful transition into the next stage of life.”
“Youthdale did for me something so desperately needed by many more young people like me. It provided me with support, structure and hope when those things were difficult to come by.”
Marco LaGrotta
NT3
