Provincial Mental Health Strategy Long Overdue

TORONTO, Dec. 3 – Children’s Mental Health Ontario supports the government’s decision to move forward with an all-party committee to develop a provincial mental health strategy but must be assured that the needs of children and youth will be front and centre.”One in five children and youth in Ontario struggles with their mental health” stated Glen Newby, president of Children’s Mental Health Ontario. “The needs of children and youth are high, services across the province are strained and the economic pressures facing families adds a tremendous burden. Traditionally as the economy worsens, mental health needs increase – most especially in children and youth” said Newby.

The recently released Roots of Youth Violence Report calls for $200 million in funding for community based mental health services. The Poverty Agenda of the provincial government has heard across the province about the strong connection between the effects of poverty and mental health in children and youth. “We believe this government has significant evidence about the mental health needs of our children and youth and must ensure that this all party committee examines the immediate funding needed to help those one in five struggling – because evidence shows treatment works” said Newby.

A private member’s resolution will be introduced tomorrow by Conservative MPP Christine Elliott calling for the all-party committee, inspired by what she has been hearing from her constituents about the lack of services.

For further information: Camille Quenneville, Director of Policy and Communications, Children’s Mental Health Ontario, (416) 921-2109 ext. 32