Mental Health Workers
Through the Strategy, an additional 770 mental health and addictions workers are in communities, schools and courts. These workers are providing timely, high quality access to services and supports to over 50,000 children and youth and their families. Services include:
- early identification
- counselling
- therapy
- intervention
- group therapy
Indigenous Mental Health and Addictions Workers
More than 80 new mental health and addictions workers are helping almost 4,000 Aboriginal children and youth get better access to culturally appropriate services.
Training supports are also being developed and implemented for new and existing Indigenous mental health and addictions workers.
Tele-Mental Health Service
Ontario’s Tele-Mental Health Service provides children and youth in rural, remote and underserved communities with access to specialized mental health consultations through videoconferencing. It connects children and youth, who are already receiving mental health services, to a specialist who can help them.
Mental Health and Addictions Nurses
There are 144 nurses working in schools to identify and help students with potential mental health or addiction problems. They assess students and develop plans of care. Nurses also provide service for mild cases, and offer support and referral for more complex problems. They help students find mental health and addiction services or health care providers they need within the community.
Eating Disorders Services
Eating disorders are complex, complicated and serious mental health illnesses that often require care at many stages. The eating disorders program provides services, by referral, for the most acutely ill children and youth, including:
- inpatient and outpatient medical care
- full-time and part-time day and residential treatment
- a team of health care professionals – including psychiatrists, nurses and dieticians – to provide integrated care through all phases of their illnesses.
School Mental Health ASSIST program
The School Mental Health ASSIST program provides school boards with mental health awareness resources and supports to help schools support student mental health and well-being.