Talking about mental health and addictions
Peel community members met with MPPs to discuss services for those in need.
The Region of Peel and the Ministry of Health through the Associate Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions jointly convened a roundtable to discuss Peel’s mental health and addictions system on Oct. 21, 2019. The group discussed the needs of people in Peel dealing with mental health and addictions issues.
Over 276,000 people in Peel will experience mental health or addictions disorders in their lifetime. Youth in Peel may wait up to24 months to access services.
The meeting came as a result of continued advocacy by Peel Regional Council and community agencies. The funding Peel receives for mental health and addictions services is amongst the lowest in Ontario.
The group discussed issues related to funding, service integration, technology, access and cultural sensitivity in mental health and addictions services. Local successes and solutions were also shared.
Attendees included Ontario’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, the Hon. Michael A. Tibollo, Solicitor General the Hon. Sylvia Jones, MPP Rudy Cuzzetto, MPP Natalia Kusendova, MPP Sheref Sabawy, MPP Amarjot Sandhu, Peel Regional Chair Nando Iannicca, Peel Regional Councillors Johanna Downey and Martin Medeiros and representatives from the Mississauga Halton and Central West LHINs, Peel Regional Police, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Peel Dufferin, Services and Housing in the Province (SHIP), Peel Children’s Centre/Nexus Youth Services, Trillium Health Partners, William Osler Health System, Punjabi Community Health Services, Peel Addictions Assessment and Referral Centre and Hope Place Centres.
The Region will prepare a report on the mental health and addictions sector along with the needs, barriers and successes experienced.
