A funding boost for mental health services for children and youth in our area.
Four area groups are receiving an added $325,000 in provincial funding.
Hands TheFamilyHelpNetwork is receiving nearly $300,000 of the funding.
Bob Pipe, the Senior Communications Specialist at Hands, says it’s great news.
“We welcome this investment in our child and youth mental health services and the recognition in their value,” said Pipe. “This provincial government has invested in mental health and education. I think there’s a recognition that there’s a significant need. That need was there well-before the pandemic, but certainly, the need has been exacerbated by the pandemic.”
Pipe added that the funding is a testament to advocacy on the part of many, from various organizations, the Hands board, as well as youth and families.
“The mental health sector has worked hard to advance these causes and I think that’s great.”
Vic Fedeli, Nipissing MPP, says the money represents a five percent across-the-board increase in provincial funding.
He says the money will help improve access to specialized mental health treatment services, reduce waitlists and wait times, and support the mental health and wellbeing of children and youth by addressing the increased demand for services during COVID-19.
“Our government continues to make mental health and addictions a priority by making investments to ensure children, youth and their families have access to the supports they need to stay mentally healthy here in Nipissing,” says Fedeli. “With today’s funding, we continue our important work through the Roadmap to Wellness to enhance existing mental health services.”
The following local investments include:
- $296,900 for Algonquin Child and Family Services (HANDS)
- $16,500 for Nipissing First Nation
- $8,300 for the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre
- $7,100 for the Community Counselling Centre of Nipissing
This funding is part of the government’s commitment to invest $3.8 billion over 10 years to implement the Roadmap to Wellness, Ontario’s plan to build a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions system to serve Ontarians of all ages.
Written by Richard Coffin