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.
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.