Celebrating Recovery Month

Sep 10, 2019

In any given year, 2.5 million Ontarians will experience an addiction or mental health challenge.
During the month of September, our government will join Addictions and Mental Health Ontario
to celebrate Recovery Month. Marking the 13th annual celebration of recovery builds awareness
and challenges the stigma around addiction.
Recovery month is an opportunity for the people of Dufferin-Caledon to share stories, discuss
treatment options and to work together to challenge the stigma surrounding addiction. In 2006,
the first annual recovery campaign launched and it has since grown into a momentous occasion
to raise awareness. It is important to remember that the road to recovery is different for each
person, and for this reason, we must continue to talk about addiction openly and to let others
who are struggling know that they are not alone.
Addictions and Mental Health Ontario is a leader when it comes to addictions care in Ontario.
The organization represents almost 200 addiction and mental health groups who provide
services and supports to Ontarians with their recovery. We a proud to join them this year to
mark Recovery Month and I encourage you to join family, friends and residents in Dufferin-
Caledon to build awareness and to celebrate the role of recovery in improving the lives of the
people within our community who are struggling with addiction or mental health.
In Dufferin-Caledon, our government has already made investment to improving mental health
service for our friends and neighbours. In May, The Ministry of Health announced the Canadian
Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin would be receiving $2,375,700 that includes $700,000
dollars for Opioids Addictions Treatment and Services, $165,700 dollars in funding for Peer
Support Services and $1,515,000 dollars in funding Mobile Crisis Teams, which help police assist
people in crisis. We have also committed an additional $180,000 to Salvation Army Hope Acres in
Mulmur and up to $90,000 for Dufferin Child and Family Services, money that will be focused on
Community Addictions Services.
Over the next 10 years, we have committed to investing $3.8 to build a connected mental health
and addictions system. The mental health care system in Ontario is disconnected and it is
difficult for both patients and families to get the care they need. As a result, many Ontarians are
waiting too long for services and are navigating a confusing system in their time of crisis. In
response, our government has added desperately needed services in communities, schools and
health care centers across the province.
With a cross-government approach, we can wok toward reducing wait times, enhancing
addictions services, and building capacity in child and youth mental health. This year’s funding
consists of $174 million that goes toward child and youth mental health services across the
province, as well as mental health supports in our education system. In addition, the investment
includes more housing supports for people who are homeless and face mental health and
addictions issues, faster access to addictions treatment for all Ontarians and new mobile crisis
teams that help police officers and first responders assist people with severe mental illness.
If you have any questions about recovery month, please call 1-800-265-1603 or visit my website
atwww.sylviajonesmpp.ca.
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