TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing an additional $12.5 million to connect Black children, youth and their families, as well as 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to mental health services across the province, closer to home.

This funding is part of the government’s investment of an additional $330 million each year in pediatric health services at hospitals and community-based health care facilities across the province and will provide community-based child and youth mental health providers with the resources, staff and training to expand and improve access to services for Black and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is making record investments in the health and well-being of our children and youth, now and for the future,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment will connect more children and youth to mental health care closer to home that is supportive and inclusive of their individual needs.”

This investment will help to expand and improve community programs and services delivered by more than 25 organizations across the province, with services including:

• Prenatal, post-natal and pediatric care for Black mothers and children facing mental health challenges.
• Increasing the number of Black therapists and 2SLGBTQIA+ counsellors to reduce stigma and provide a more welcoming environment for care.
• Reducing barriers to accessing care by establishing mobile mental health and addictions clinics for children and youth in Black communities.
• Supporting anti-Black racism education and training for health care providers and clinical skills development for primary care providers and social workers working with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
• Providing suicide prevention, supports for eating disorders, depression and anxiety, and well-being and self esteem care for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
• Improving access to counselling, case management and drop-in services for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

“Every child and youth deserves reliable and accessible mental health services that respect and address their race, gender and sexual orientation,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “We will continue to support initiatives that address stigma and improve mental health, while lowering barriers to safe and effective mental health care for everyone in Ontario.”

This investment also builds on the government’s work to significantly expand the number of Youth Wellness Hubs across the province to make it faster and easier for young people to connect to mental health and substance use support, primary care, social services, and more. Ontario is adding 10 new Youth Wellness Hubs to the network of 22 hubs already opened since 2020, bringing the total to 32 across the province.

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is investing in pediatric care delivery at hospitals and communities across the province, ensuring children and their families can connect to quality care faster and closer to come, for generations to come.