Ford government urged to prioritize mental health sector in upcoming budget

The Canadian Mental Health Association is urging Ontario to prioritize the sector in its upcoming budget.

The request comes as a new poll suggests the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on people’s emotional well-being.

Polling suggests only 35 per cent of Ontarians consider their mental health to be “very good” or “excellent.”

That’s compared to 52 per cent in the first round of polling last May towards the end of the pandemic’s first wave.

It also shows nearly 80 per cent of respondents believe there will be a “serious mental health crisis” post-pandemic, compared to 66 per cent in August and 69 per cent in May.

The CEO of CMHA Ontario says the trend is worrying and service providers are scrambling to figure out how to deal with an increase in demand.

The province is set to release its budget on Mar. 24th.