Ontario government offers $12M in mental health supports for front line health workers

BRAMPTON, Ont. — Ontario plans to spend $12.4 million on more mental health and addictions supports for front-line health-care workers.

The province says $5.9 million will go to services offered through hospitals such as self-referral and intake services, online discussion groups and confidential clinician support.

There is also $1.9 million allocated for psychologist services specializing in trauma, anxiety and other conditions and $4.6 million for workplace mental health training.

The government is working with five hospitals, the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Ontario Psychological Association on the programs.

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Health Minister Christine Elliott says front-line workers who have supported Ontarians throughout the pandemic need access to supports.

The government says the measures are also in response to recommendations from the long-term care COVID-19 commission report about staff mental health.