Young Canadians deserve more mental health support, sooner: NDP « Canada’s NDP

May 6, 2024 at 5:30 am  Federal, Politics

OTTAWA— On Monday, young Canadians who have struggled with their mental health met with Canada’s NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and the critic for mental health and harm reduction, Gord Johns, about the fund New Democrats secured to improve community mental health services in the last budget.

New Democrats and mental health advocates say that the lack of community services means young Canadians are often going to overcrowded emergency rooms when they’re in crisis and have nowhere else to turn. The Youth Mental Health Fund is a tool the government can use to get young Canadians services before their health deteriorates and alleviate some of the pressure on Canada’s emergency rooms.

“Young Canadians feel like they can’t get ahead; they’re worried about keeping up with rising costs and about their future. More and more young people are experiencing mental health problems than before but, when they seek help, they’re facing enormous wait times or can’t find services,” said Singh. “We know that young people in Canada are suffering, and the Liberals have taken too long to do anything about this. And the Conservatives will cut health care including mental health care making things even worse.

“That’s why, in this parliament, Gord Johns and the NDP have used our power to force the government to create a Youth Mental Health Fund to help young people get better access to mental health services.”

Johns has written to the Minister for Mental Health and Addictions outlining the NDP’s expectations for the Youth Mental Health Fund based on recommendations from the Canadian Mental Health Association and community organizers.

Johns is asking for priority funding for immediate needs like crisis response, peer support and early intervention services. He’s asked the government to ensure community-based organizations receive funding to help young Canadians where they live and for the government to deliver this quickly by using the existing national and regional mental health infrastructure to get young Canadians the help they need, sooner.

“Young people should have access to mental health services when and where they need them. Early intervention in youth is critical. We have to get them the best supports possible.” said Johns. “That’s why it’s so important to work with organizations in the communities where young Canadians live to get them help. These crucial investments can help young Canadians get and stay healthy. But successive Conservative and Liberal governments have underinvested in mental health and now it’s young Canadians who are paying the price. New Democrats are fighting to give younger generations a break because young Canadians deserve help when they need it, and hope to build their futures.”

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