Toronto strengthens mental health support for residents
Today Mayor John Tory announced that the City of Toronto is investing $2 million to strengthen mental health support for residents. The funds will be allocated to community groups and non-profit organizations to assist them in addressing mental health challenges, with an emphasis on supporting individuals in the neighbourhoods hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding for this investment was approved by City Council in February 2021 and will be allocated through the TO Supports Investment Fund.
Funds will be distributed to seven of the community-based mental health organizations that are part of the City’s Mental Health Support Strategy and to at least 18 additional partner agencies. They will provide access to critical mental health support resources virtually and completely free of charge for vulnerable residents who may be experiencing stress, grief and loss, anxiety, depression or other mental health stressors as a result of the pandemic. The list of agencies providing mental health support through this partnership with the City is available on the City’s website .
“As this pandemic continues, more and more people are struggling with their mental health. The expansion of mental health support resources will enable the continuation and increase of critical mental health services for vulnerable populations, such as seniors and youth, with a priority for Black, Indigenous and other racialized and marginalized groups, and frontline workers.,” said Mayor John Tory. “Thank you to our existing partners for your continued efforts to help residents manage their mental health and wellbeing and to the new partners who will be joining us in these efforts,” added Mayor Tory.
Toronto residents can access this free mental health support from the safety of their own homes through text, online or by phone by calling 2-1-1 or visiting here. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Anyone feeling lonely, isolated, anxious or depressed or who knows someone who is struggling during this pandemic is strongly encouraged to reach out for help. The service is free, safe, and available for all who need it. From April 27, 2020 to March 20, 2021 more than 144,000 Torontonians called, texted or sent an online message for support to access mental health services. Of those who reached out, almost 130,000 people have received direct mental health support and more than 14,000 people were referred directly to mental health partners for additional support. For those looking for further support, there is a mental health section on the City’s website that is full of helpful advice and resources. See here .
The City launched the COVID-19 Mental Health Support Strategy in April 2020 to support the diverse mental health needs of Toronto residents during the pandemic. With increasing COVID-19 cases and strains, the need for continued, enhanced collaborative efforts to provide mental health support to residents and frontlines workers continues to be an escalated need. Since the declaration of the pandemic, the City has invested a total of $2.9 million in mental health support.
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