OASW Mental Health Recommendations
The Government of Ontario has committed $1.9 billion to support the mental health of Ontarians over the next 10 years. This is in addition to $1.9 billion in federal funding to do the same. In January, 2019, OASW submitted recommendations to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Office of the Premier for use of these funds.
Our recommendations included:
- Implementing a publicly funded, structured psychotherapy program provided by social workers and other non-physicians;
- Placing social workers in all hospital EDs to prevent unnecessary, and avoidable mental health admissions;
- Providing funding to school boards to hire more School Social Workers to improve the mental health of children and youth; and
- Creating 30,000 units of supportive housing for vulnerable populations over the next 10 years and increase funding for the provision of consistent, wrap-around supports attached to these units.