The Small Urban GTHA Mayors met on March 10 to discuss issues of importance for small urban municipalities, including access to quality care for mental health and addiction.
The Mayors welcomed Michael Tibollo, MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge and Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions for the Province of Ontario. The Associate Minister shared with the Mayors that he is focused on outreach, on understanding the needs of each municipality and on finding creative ways to address the need for access to mental health and addiction services in all areas of the Province, including rural areas.
Associate Minister Tibollo offered to visit communities to speak with local Mayors and their Councils. He discussed increased violence in Ontario communities, attributing some of it to the isolation and frustration people have experienced as a result of the pandemic as well as from economic challenges.
Some highlights from Associate Minister Tibollo’s comments from today are:
- The Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) MOBYSS are great for rural areas. The Mobile Youth Walk-In Clinics (MOBYSS) offer a safe space to talk to a medical or mental health professional in a warm, welcoming and friendly environment. The mobile walk-in clinic is staffed by a nurse practitioner, youth mental health worker and peer support specialist. Services are 100-per-cent free and confidential. A health card is not required.
- Based on statistics from the mobile youth clinics, the Province will be able to determine where crisis centres are required. They provide day treatment programs and immediate support and are cost-effective. Crisis Centres and mobile youth clinics help relieve congestion in hospitals and provide options for rural areas.
Associate Minister Tibollo suggested Youth Wellness Hubs are great to have in thecommunity, bringing needed mental health and addiction services to youth, young adults and their families.
The Small Urban GTHA Mayors will meet in person in April in the Township of King.
Contact:
Mayor Steve Pellegrini
905-833-4029
Chair
Small Urban GTHA Mayors