People with mental illness and addiction will benefit from investment into services



TORONTO, July 14 /CNW/ - Three of Ontario's leading mental health and addictions organizations applaud today's announcement of funds to support people with mental illness and addiction in their communities. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs (OFCMHAP) have united in support of Minister George Smitherman's plan to continue to invest in community-based mental health and addiction programs in Ontario.

"This government has broken a new path in terms of mental health and addictions services," said Brigitte Witkowski, Board Member of OFCMHAP. "We are pleased to work in partnership with Premier McGuinty and his cabinet to ensure the best possible outcomes for people with mental illness."

The expansion of services such as crisis response, residential support, case management, early intervention, assertive community treatment, community counseling and supportive housing will continue to improve the lives of people with mental illness and addiction and their families across the province. These services are delivered by community-based organizations in response to specific circumstances in their regions, address a broad range of consumers'

needs, and when they are available, ensure that individuals experiencing a mental illness receive the most appropriate care to support their recovery.

"Community mental health and addiction services are a vital component of the continuum of mental health care," added Paul Garfinkel, CEO and President

of CAMH. "Building a true system means that care is available where and when it is needed, and that is clearly the goal of this investment."

Community-based mental health and addiction services are both effective and cost-efficient. "Access to services such as case management reduces hospitalizations by up to 86 percent, and emergency room visits by 60 percent," said Karen McGrath, CEO of CMHA, Ontario. "This investment will reduce pressure on these expensive and overburdened health services - another reason to commend the government for today's announcement."

Mental health affects everyone; one in five Ontarians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, and the remaining four will have a friend, colleague or loved one who does. "In some way, what was announced today will have a positive impact on everyone in Ontario," Ms. McGrath added. "There aren't many investments a government can make that will do that."



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/For further information: Liz Scanlon, CMHA, Ontario, (416) 977-5580 ext. 4131; Sylvia Hagopian, CAMH, (416) 595-6015; Brigitte Witkowski, Mainstay

Housing, (416) 703-9266/