Supporting Children and Youth
Investing $24.3 million to expand mental health and addictions supports for children and youth
We know this has been a challenging period for many of our kids and young people.
That’s why our PC government is providing $24.3 million in targeted investments to hire additional staff, increase access to counselling and therapy, create new programs to help manage stress, depression and anxiety, and address eating disorders and other challenges facing children and youth.
Today’s investment will make it easier for children and youth them to access the mental health and additions supports they need.
“Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, we have seen thousands of individuals and families reach out for help and we know that many continue to face mental health and addiction challenges today,” said Michael Tibollo, MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge and Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “By significantly expanding access to mental health and addictions supports for our children and youth, we are taking another step towards building a mental health and addictions system for the future, where people and families across Ontario are fully supported in their journey towards mental wellness.”
Our government is making targeted investments in community-based mental health supports and services for children and youth with a focus on evidence-based and innovative programs, including:
- $11 million for over 80 children and youth mental health service providers;
- $5.8 million for youth wellness teams at 10 Youth Wellness Hubs across Ontario;
- $3.7 million for a new eating disorders program;
- $2 million for the implementation of an Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program;
- $1 million for child and youth mental health services delivered in congregate settings; and,
- $800,000 to support the creation and operation of Eating Disorders Ontario.
As part of our Roadmap to Wellness plan, Ontario is investing $3.8 billion over 10 years to create new services and expand programs. This year’s $176 million increase builds on the $174 million the government invested last year in more funding for mental health and addictions programs, bringing new base investments across the sector since 2019-20 to a total of more than $350 million.