CMHA Ontario welcomes government’s enhanced approach to treatment services

(Toronto, Oct. 22, 2018) – Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario applauds the provincial government for its decision to maintain an essential health care service for individuals living with substance use and addictions issues related to opioids or other substances.

CMHA Ontario is supportive of the consumption and treatment services model, particularly the move to strengthen ties to community-based agencies that provide wraparound supports.

“Acknowledging the benefits of wraparound services is important recognition that treatment for a mental health or addiction issue is holistic in nature and that individuals may need help in a variety of ways and for a variety of challenges,” said Camille Quenneville, CEO of CMHA Ontario.

CMHA branches across Ontario provide a variety of supports that include:

• Intensive case management, assertive community treatment and court support
• Crisis response in partnership with police, safe beds, emergency room diversion
• Managed alcohol programs, low-barrier emergency shelters, rapid access to addictions medicine clinics
• Housing, employment, educational and social programs

Overdose preventions sites are part of an array of fundamental comprehensive addiction and mental health services that can benefit vulnerable communities. And CMHA appreciates that Health Minister Christine Elliott consulted with experts and others in the field of substance use and mental health.

“Providing ongoing client-centred support for mental health issues or substance use can help people maintain their mental health, keeps them out of emergency rooms and contact with police, and allows them to connect with essential health and social services.”

Fast facts:

• On average, an opioid-related death occurs every 10 hours in Ontario.

• Opioid overdose is now the leading cause of death for people aged 30 to 39 in Canada.

• An overdose which occurs in public is 10 times more likely to result in hospital admission than an overdose at a safe consumption site.

About Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) works toward a single mission: to make mental health possible for all. The vision of CMHA Ontario is a society that believes mental health is the key to well-being. CMHA Ontario works closely with 31 local branches in communities across the province to ensure the quality delivery of services to approximately 50,000 individuals each year in the areas of

mental health, addictions, dual diagnosis and concurrent disorders. Through policy analysis and implementation, agenda setting, research, evaluation and knowledge exchange, we work to improve the lives of people with mental health and addictions conditions and their families.

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For more information, contact:

Joe Kim
Communications Director
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
T: 416-977-5580, ext. 4141
E: [email protected]