Increased funding for mental health services is still not enough to help students

BY PAUL JUNOR

The provincial government announced increased funding for mental health services targeted to youths on October 10^th, which happened to be World Mental Health Day. One can only speculate as to why the PC government chose this day to make this increased funding announcement. According to KimikoInnouye and Izidia Zorde, from ETFO executive staff (writing in the union Voice magazine between 1995–1997), education budgets have been cut by almost $1 billion, which has resulted in: increased class sizes, painful staffing cuts and outsourced services. Currently, the Ford government will be making more cuts as announced in its April 2019 budget. It will be felt in: education, legal aid, healthcare, public libraries, municipal and social services. The mental health budget was cut by $170 million dollars this year and has led many people to wonder about the implementation of Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy, which has been in place since 2011.

The increased funding of about $40 million, which the government claims doubles the original funding, is still less than 25% of the amount that was reduced from the provincial budget. $25 million will be allocated to ensuring that 180 mental health workers (FTEs) hired by district school boards in 2018-2019 will now be permanent. These regulated health professionals (e.g. social workers, health professionals and psychotherapists) who have specialized training will be able to provide mental health promotion, and will also be involved in preventative initiatives, as well as intervene with students and families. In addition, School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON) will receive $6.5 million annually for three years totalling $19.5 million. This will enable 72 district school boards across Ontario to implement support through: expertise, evidence-based resources with practical tools for educators, and the delivery of consistent professional learning to school-based mental health clinicians. In addition, the Nishanawoba Aski Nation will receive $3.2 million in 2019 -2020.

According to the Minster of Education Stephen Leece, “Too many students are struggling with their mental health and well-being. I am proud to be a member of this government that is applying a compassionate eye to making mental health a priority by more than doubling mental health support for kids.” According to data that was released in Ontario, 70% of mental health and addiction issues begin in childhood or adolescence. One in five students in grades 7-12 rate their mental health as fair or poor. There is no doubt that this is an urgent public health issue that needs attention.

According to the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael Tibollo, “We will continue working hard to ensure that we provide effective mental health program and services for Ontario’s students. Families have waited for the mental health services they require for themselves and for their children. By investing in frontline programs and services, we will continue moving forward to create a mental health system in Ontario that fully supports our students.” Ontario has had a Child and Youth Mental Health Strategy with three key priorities:

1) Providing fast access to high quality service

2) Identifying and intervening in children and youth mental health issues early

3) Closing critical service gaps for vulnerable children and youths especially those in remote communities

Mental health which deals with “all aspects of a person’s well-being that affects his or her emotions, learning and behaviour” (Health and Physical Education document, 2015) is integral to students’ overall well-being. It impacts their emotional, psychological, physical and cognitive states. By investing in organizations such as: Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Canada, Kids Help Phone, Roots of Empathy, Charity to support the WE Schools program, and the White Ribbon campaign, the government has shown that it is aware of how important funding is to ensure these groups are able to provide vital community services. Youths who have mental illness and challenges need our support, love, protection and guidance and should never have to wait for much needed services and  accessible help.