FORT FRANCES – Addictions and mental health issues need to be addressed in this provincial election period, says the CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Fort Frances branch.
Demand for services has increased faster than service availability in the region, Charlene Strain said this week.
For example, she said, demand has increased for the District Mental Health Services for Older Adults program and support for people struggling with addictions, and that has resulted in wait lists for vital services.
“There’s so much work that needs to be done to assist those with mental health and addictions,” Strain said.
CMHA Fort Frances has joined many other Ontario branches in urging party leaders in the provincial election to commit to addressing mental health and addictions challenges in the north. The other branches include Kenora, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie.
“Mental health and addiction programs in the north have long been overwhelmed by the demand for services,” said a CMHA news release issued before the leaders debate held last Friday in North Bay.
“The region has been hit hardest by the ongoing intersecting mental health, addiction and homelessness crises faced by the rest of the province, as well as the distinctive and highly disproportionate impact on Indigenous populations. A significant proportion of individuals who are homeless identify as Indigenous.”
A “drug poisoning crisis” has also hit northern communities hard, the release said.
The release said there were 60 opioid-related deaths per 100,000 people in northern Ontario last year, compared to the provincial rate of 22 per 100,000.
“We need concrete solutions on how to address the barriers to access and service gaps faced by our northern communities,” said Mary Davis, CEO of CMHA North Bay and District.
Election day is Feb. 27.
