Ontario Expands Access to Mental Health Services with $19 Million Investment

The Ontario government has announced a significant investment of $19 million to expand its Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) program, aimed at supporting youth and young adults who are experiencing early phases of psychosis. The initiative, in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), will enhance access to care for people aged 14 to 35, ensuring they receive the support they need at critical moments in their mental health journey.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, emphasized the importance of early intervention in mental health care, stating, “Our government is taking action to improve access to mental health support services that better reflect the needs of people and their families who are experiencing mental health challenges. By expanding the Early Psychosis Intervention program, we are ensuring those experiencing some of their first mental health challenges can connect to the care they need earlier on their journey to wellness.”

Psychosis, a condition where individuals may struggle to distinguish reality from delusion, often appears in adolescence and early adulthood. The EPI program is designed to provide timely, personalized care, which can help patients regain functionality and return to normal activities such as school or work. The partnership with CAMH, particularly the Slaight Family Centre for Youth in Transition, will enable the development of supports and resources grounded in evidence-based, standardized care.

Dr. Chris Simpson, Executive Vice-President at Ontario Health, highlighted the program’s province-wide impact: “The Provincial Early Psychosis Intervention Program ensures all Ontarians affected by early phase psychosis have access to the same high-quality care across the province. This program has an emphasis on shared decision making and improving quality of life. Treatment is personalized to the individual and their care partners to support optimal recovery.”

The expansion is part of the Ontario government’s broader commitment to building a robust mental health and addiction support system through its Roadmap to Wellness initiative. Introduced in 2020, the plan outlines a strategy for creating modern, accessible services for all Ontarians. As part of this ongoing effort, the government has been investing heavily in mental health, including $3.8 billion over ten years to fill gaps in care and $396 million in additional funds over the next three years, as outlined in Budget 2024.

Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, reiterated the government’s dedication to mental health: “Supporting people living with mental illness is a priority for our government, and we are working every day to ensure people across Ontario have access to the services and resources they need to manage their mental health and live fulfilling lives. By investing in community supports like Early Psychosis Intervention, we are making sure Ontarians have the resources they need that make a difference in their lives.”

CAMH President and CEO, Sarah Downey, expressed her gratitude for the government’s investment, stressing the importance of early intervention in mental illness: “We know that 75 per cent of serious mental illness starts before age 25. With this understanding, we have an opportunity to engage sooner to change, and even possibly reverse the course of mental illness. We are grateful to the Ontario government for investing in the provincial Early Psychosis Intervention Program, which will help youth and their families get evidence-based, standardized and comprehensive care so they can attain their recovery goals.”

As part of this effort, the Ontario government is also opening 10 new Youth Wellness Hubs, bringing the total number across the province to 32. These hubs, along with the expanded EPI program, are expected to significantly enhance access to mental health care, ensuring more young people can get the support they need early, improving outcomes in their mental health recovery.