CMHA WW Hosts Funding Announcement for Mental Health and Addiction Services

Waterloo — This morning Kitchener South-Hespeler MPP Amy Fee, Cambridge MPP Belinda Karahalios, Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece, and Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris joined local organizations to announce $1.5 M. additional funding for mental health and addiction services at the Canadian Mental Health Association facility in Waterloo.

The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington, as well as community partners Guelph Wellington Family Counselling and Support Services, Lutherwood, Sanguen Health Centre, Stonehenge, Wilmot Family Resource Centre, Region of Waterloo, and the County of Wellington all received funding.

This is part of an additional $174 million in funding to address the critical gaps in Ontario’s system and to support patients and families living with mental health and addictions challenges announced earlier this month by Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Included in the overall investment is nearly $30 million for child and youth mental health services and programs across Ontario, as well as more than $27 million to fund mental health supports in Ontario’s education system, which will directly benefit schools, teachers and, most importantly, students and their parents.

“Our government is keeping our promise to make mental health and addictions a priority,” said MPP Amy Fee. “This additional funding will go directly towards local services for patients and families and will help reduce wait times and build capacity in child and youth mental health.”

“Our government knows the importance of funding programs, services and initiatives which improve mental health and addictions supports for Ontarians, including right here in our community,” said MPP Belinda Karahalios. “I am pleased to join with the CMHA, my colleagues, and other local partners for today’s announcement.”

“Our government is keeping our promise to make mental health and addictions a priority,” said MPP Mike Harris. “This additional funding will go directly towards local services for patients and families, including child and youth mental health and enhance opioids and addictions services.”

“We are very pleased to receive ongoing funding for our Early Psychosis program, Peer Support/Self Help programs and Children’s services, said CMHA WW Acting Executive Director Helen Fishburn. “The funding will also help reduce our wait list for children’s services and support our peer program. Early intervention and peer support are key to recovery with mental illness. Research shows that early intervention leads to better treatment outcomes. These investments ensure we can provide the essential services that lead to improved wellness,” said Fishburn.

The investment announced today is part of the Ontario government’s commitment to invest $3.8 billion over the next 10 years to develop and implement a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions strategy.

QUICK Facts

 Local service providers receiving support are:

• Wilmot Family Resource Centre – $ 14,000 for:
  • Child and Youth Mental Health
• Canadian Mental Health Association—Waterloo Wellington (Waterloo) – $510,700 for:
  • Peer Support Services– $160,700
  • MHJ Safebeds to support the Supported Recovery Room — $150,000
  • Early Psychosis Intervention- $200,000
• Guelph Wellington Family Counselling and Support Services (Guelph)– $125,000 for:
  • Youth Residential Treatment & Withdrawal Management
• Lutherwood (Waterloo) — $309,257 for:
  • Child and Youth Mental Health
• Sanguen Health Centre (Waterloo) — $100,000 for:
  • Opioids Addictions Treatment & Services
• Stonehenge (Guelph) — $315,000 for:
  • Opioids Addictions Treatment and Services
• Region of Waterloo (Waterloo)– $8,433 for:
  • Funding Increase for the Rent Supplement Supportive Housing Program
• County of Wellington (Guelph)– $105,060 for:
  • Mental Health & Justice to support Addiction Court Support Coordination – $100,000
  • Funding Increase for the Rent Supplement Supportive Housing Program – $5,060
• Investments in mental health and addictions services is part of Ontario’s plan to modernize our public health care system, which relentlessly focuses on patient experience and better connected care, to reduce wait times and end hallway health care.
• The government has held 19 consultations across the province with mental health and addictions community organizations, frontline service providers, hospitals, advocates, experts, people with lived experience and people with experience in Indigenous mental health and addictions.
• The government will invest $3.8 billion over 10 years to develop and implement a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions strategy.