Ontario Connecting Indigenous Communities to More Mental Health and Addictions Support

Over 100 mental health and addictions supports and programs for Indigenous communities across the province have received nearly $33 million from Ontario in 2022-23.

“The significance of community-based, culturally-informed approaches to healing and wellness has been taught by elders and communities of Indigenous people for generations. Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, stated, “It is essential that responses to challenges faced by Indigenous partners are anchored in partnership and collaboration.” Today denotes one more achievement in those organizations; investing in connecting Indigenous communities to improved healing centers and facilities, health services, and Indigenous land-based healing.

In order to support the purchase of health and safety supplies, upgrade infrastructure and equipment at existing facilities, and create new spaces for mental health and addictions programs, up to $25 million in funding has been given directly to Indigenous organizations and communities across Ontario. Organizations are also using this funding to connect Indigenous communities to traditional healing programs based on land and water as well as cultural knowledge in order to improve mental health and wellness.

Furthermore, nearly $8 million in financing upholds extended wellbeing administrations including customary recuperating, and admittance to injury informed care preparing. Indigenous communities all over the province, particularly in Northern Ontario, gain from this.

Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, stated, “Our government recognizes that Indigenous peoples and communities have faced many barriers to accessing safe, effective mental health and addictions care.” We are assisting Indigenous communities in Ontario in connecting with the mental health care they require, whenever and wherever they require it, through this investment.”

Through Your Wellbeing: By acknowledging the need to improve services for addictions and mental health, Ontario’s A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care is enhancing the health care experiences of residents across the province. All Ontarians will be able to get the care they need, when and where they need it, because the province is making care more connected and convenient. To ensure that programs for mental health and wellness effectively meet the needs of First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous communities, the Ontario government collaborates with Indigenous partners. This includes addictions and mental health care that respects Indigenous culture and traditions.