Health News For South West


Monday, October 07, 2024
Ontario. Ministry of Health - [Toronto - University Avenue] - [Public Health Care]
Ontario Expanding Access to Mental Health Services

$19 million investment will connect more people to early psychosis intervention and support

The Ontario government is partnering with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to expand access to the provincial Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) program. The expanded EPI program will connect more people aged 14 to 35 who are experiencing early phase psychosis to the care they need, when they need it.

“Our government is taking action to improve access to mental health support services that better reflect the needs of people and their families who are experiencing mental health challenges,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By expanding the Early Psychosis Intervention program, we are ensuring those experiencing some of their first mental health challenges can connect to the care they need earlier on their journey to wellness.”
The EPI program helps diagnose psychosis early and provides timely access to individually tailored and age-appropriate mental health services that can help people live functional lives, such as returning to school, work and building social relationships. The program, in partnership with the Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition at CAMH, will develop supports and resources to deliver evidence-based, standardized care.

“Supporting people living with mental illness is a priority for our government and we are working every day to ensure people across Ontario have access to the services and resources they need to manage their mental health and live fulfilling lives,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “By investing in community supports like Early Psychosis Intervention, we are making sure Ontarians have the resources they need that make a difference in their lives.”

Through Your Health the government is making it easier for people of all ages to connect to the care they need, when the need it. In 2020, the province introduced the Roadmap to Wellness, a plan to build a modern, world-class mental health and addictions system. The government continues to introduce and expand on innovative new programs to ensure access to connected and convenient services to support the health and well-being of all Ontarians.    
         
Quick Facts:

  • The word psychosis is used to describe conditions in which people have trouble distinguishing between what is real and what is not. When this occurs, it is called a psychotic episode.
  • The Early Psychosis Intervention program provides support and services to individuals experiencing some of their first mental health challenges, ensuring they have the treatment they need to minimize or avoid episodes of distress later in life while supporting recovery.
  • Ontario is creating 10 new Youth Wellness Hubs, adding to the network of 22 hubs the government has already opened since 2020, bringing the total number of Youth Wellness Hubs to 32 across the province.
  • Through the Roadmap to Wellness, Ontario is investing $3.8 billion over 10 years to fill gaps in mental health and addictions care, create new services and expand programs.
  • As part of Budget 2024, Building a Better Ontario, the government is building on its work through the Roadmap by investing an additional $396 million over three years to improve access and expand existing mental health and addictions services and programs.  
         
Quotes:

"The Provincial Early Psychosis Intervention Program ensures all Ontarians affected by early phase psychosis have access to the same high-quality care across the province. This program has an emphasis on shared decision making and improving quality of?life. Treatment is personalized to the individual and their care partners to support optimal recovery."

- Dr. Chris Simpson, Executive Vice-President, Clinical Institutes and Quality Programs, and Chief Medical Executive, Ontario Health

"We know that 75 per cent of serious mental illness starts before age 25. With this understanding, we have an opportunity to engage sooner to change, and even possibly reverse the course of mental illness. We are grateful to the Ontario government for investing in the provincial Early Psychosis Intervention Program, which will help youth and their families get evidence-based, standardized and comprehensive care so they can attain their recovery goals."

- Sarah Downey, President and CEO, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health    
         
Additional Resources:

         
Media Contacts:

Hannah Jensen
Minister Jones’ Office
Hannah.R.Jensen@ontario.ca

Communications Branch
media.moh@ontario.ca
416-314-6197

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