(TORONTO) – The long-term care of Ontario residents with mental
health needs will continue to deteriorate until the provincial
government commits itself to the immediate full funding of
community-based programs, the president of the Ontario Public
Service Employees Union said today.
‘”The reality in Ontario today is this: psychiatric beds and
programs are being shut down in hospitals before community
investments have been put in place. This creates a horrible gap
where those in need don’t have the beds, programs and services to
treat their illness,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas on
the occasion of Mental Health Week in Ontario.
Thomas cited a report in 2006 by the Deloitte consulting group,
commissioned by the Ministry of Health, which found that two-thirds
of the 21 mental health programs in Ontario had trouble discharging
patients due to a shortage of supportive housing and specified
treatment in communities across Ontario.
“The report concluded that individuals with serious mental health
illnesses who are elderly, or have an addiction, or have been in conflict
with the law or who have a developmental disability, will be
disproportionately harmed by the failure of government to put into
place adequate community-based programs,” Thomas said.
OPSEU, which represents 5,600 mental health care professionals in
Ontario, is participating this week in community forums on the issue
of mental health services in London, Kingston and Thunder Bay.
Thomas issued a reminder that October 10 is not only election day in
Ontario, but World Mental Health Day as well.
“Ontario can do better when it comes to the treatment and service it
provides to clients of our mental health services. We must work
harder to ensure this issue is a priority in the upcoming provincial
election,” he said.
