Peel’s “fragile” mental health and addictions services get a funding boost

While CMHA is grateful for the additional dollars, it’s only a drop in the bucket of what is needed. The Peel-Dufferin branch continues to operate on only half the per capita funding dollars received by some other areas of the province.

“The whole mental health and addictions system in Peel is fragile,” says David Smith, CEO of the Peel-Dufferin CMHA. “Because of the high rates of population growth, funding has not kept up.”

A $2.375-million injection from the province will help the Peel-Dufferin branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association expand police-mental health crisis teams, rapid response addiction clinics and peer support at hospitals.

But with an increase in cases across the GTA, if we’re hit by a spike in opioid emergencies like the one Peterborough just experienced, will our services be ready?

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Published on June 8, 2019 in The Pointer - Brampton