CMHO’S 2023
Pre-Budget Submission
Ontario’s Kids and Families Can’t Wait.
OUR PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION
An entire generation of kids is at risk if they don’t receive the mental health care they so urgently need. At last count, over 28,000 Ontario children and youth were waiting an average of 9 months across the province, and in some worst-case scenarios they are waiting up to 2.5 years.
Over the next four years, an investment of $140 million in new annualized funding is needed to sustain our services and to build our system into the future. This includes a $35 million upfront investment this year to stabilize our system.
NOW MORE THAN EVER, #KIDSCANTWAIT FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE
More than
%
of kids have reported a worsening in their mental health since the start of the pandemic
STABILIZE. SUSTAIN. SYSTEM BUILD
Every child and family should have timely, equitable access to the mental health care they need, at the right time and in the right place. Notwithstanding many innovative community-based initiatives, we are a system in crisis, and in some cases on the verge of collapse.
We have developed an investment plan to stabilize, sustain and build a system so that all kids and families can get the help they need.
STABILIZE
We require immediate stabilization to support the growing demand for services in Ontario.
SUSTAIN
Once stabilized, we need support to sustain the community-based sector as part of an integrated system that meets the mental health needs of children, youth and their families.
SYSTEM BUILD
From there, we can build a system that supports timely, equitable and quality care for all.
OUR KIDS ARE OUR FUTURE
We know Ontario families have been pushed to their absolute limits. Every child should have timely access to the mental health care they need, at the right time and place. Investments of an additional $140 million over four years in child and youth mental health care in a community setting will lead to better outcomes for over 140,000 infants, children, youth and their families. Our kids can’t keep waiting.