Ontario government to invest $4.75M towards mental health program

The Ontario government announced on Wednesday that an investment of $4.75 million will go towards the expansion of a mental health program.

The “One Stop Talk” virtual “walk-in” counselling program helps connect children, youth and their families with more convenient ways to access mental health counselling anywhere.

The government is adding eight new youth wellness hubs, bringing the total to 22 youth hubs across Ontario through the Addictions Recovery Fund.

The youth hubs help fill the gap in youth addictions services and also provide youths aged 12 to 25 with various services, such as vocational support, education, housing, recreation and wellness.

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“Through our Roadmap to Wellness, we are focused on fixing our complicated and disjointed mental health and addictions care system once and for all,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

The Roadmap to Wellness plan – Ontario’s mental health and addictions strategy – has provided $525 million to improve quality and access to mental health supports.

The plan focuses on improving quality, expanding existing services, implementing innovative solutions and improving access.

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