Ontario's doctors urge seniors to get flu shots even if high-dose out-of-stock
TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2020 /CNW/ - Seniors should still plan to get a flu shot, even if the high-dose vaccine is out of stock in their part of the province, Ontario's doctors recommend.
Toronto Public Health says there has been record demand for flu shots in Ontario this year and it has temporarily run out of high-dose vaccines. The province is working with the federal government to obtain more.
"Seniors need to get a flu shot – any flu shot – because they are at high risk for complications from the flu," said Dr. Samantha Hill, president of the Ontario Medical Association. "The good news is that the high-dose shots are in people, protecting them and those around them. More good news is that the regular dose will still help protect you. Call your doctor for advice on what's best for you."
Ontario's doctors said the lack of high-dose flu shots, coupled with record numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases starting last weekend, made it especially important that everyone follows rigorous hygiene practices.
"Now, more than ever before, it's important for people to wash their hands regularly, wear a mask, practice physical distancing and avoid large crowds or crowded places," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette.
About the OMA
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.
SOURCE Ontario Medical Association
Disappointing news for potential new treatment for Alzheimer's
Alzheimer Society of Canada calls for increased investment into groundbreaking research
TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2020 /CNW/ - The Alzheimer Society of Canada is disappointed to hear that, after reviewing data from Phase 3 clinical trials, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel did not find conclusive evidence that a potential new treatment for Alzheimer's was effective at reducing cognitive decline. Aducanumab, a drug developed by Biogen and Eisai, will now go back to the FDA for a final decision on its approval.
This is frustrating news for the more than half a million Canadians living with Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, as they are in desperate need of new and better treatments and a cure. Said to slow decline in memory and thinking skills in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), aducanumab represents the most promising treatment for Alzheimer's in nearly two decades. Should there be subsequent trials, the Alzheimer Society will advocate that study participation continues to include Canadians.
This news is a stark reminder of the vital need for increased investment in research into Alzheimer's and other dementias, which remains the most underfunded of all major diseases. To increase the chances of a breakthrough, it is vital that dementia research receives more funding.
The Alzheimer Society continues to support groundbreaking dementia research in Canada through initiatives such as the Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP), which to date has invested over $64 million in Canadian researchers. This year alone, we've provided $2.4 million to support 21 projects across the country. However, 80 more projects had to be turned away due to lack of funds, despite these projects making it through our rigorous, peer-reviewed qualification process.
It is with increased investment in research that the Alzheimer Society can support additional projects that can advance our knowledge of dementia and improve the quality of life for people living with the disease.
To learn more about the research we fund or to make a donation, please visit: www.alzheimer.ca.
SOURCE Alzheimer Society of Canada
Undo Overeating and Halt Weight Gain with this Breakthrough, Science-Backed Program
San Francisco, CA, November 10, 2020 — The premise of Whole Person Integrative Eating: A Breakthrough Dietary Lifestyleto Treat the Root Causes of Overeating, Overweight, and Obesity is simple yet powerful: Identify the reasons you overeat (your overeating styles) and gain weight—with the illuminating self-assessment quiz—then overcome overeating and lose weight by replacing your overeating styles with the antidotes: the elements of the Whole Person Integrative Eating program.
By shedding light on the root causes of overeating, holistic nutrition researcher Deborah Kesten, M.P.H., and behavioral scientist Larry Scherwitz, Ph.D., present a program that empowers readers with a personalized plan, and in turn new hope and new choices to help them reduce overeating, lose weight, and keep it off. “The combined effect of all seven ‘ingredients’ of Whole Person Integrative Eating makes the transformative difference,” says Kesten.
Plus, you’ll discover 65 delicious recipes based on the Whole Person Integrative Eating (WPIE) program to jumpstart your optimal-eating efforts.
WPIE is not a diet that a person goes on … then off. It is a scientifically sound, dietary lifestyle designed to be practiced for a lifetime.
"If people follow the revolutionary program outlined in this game-changing, insightful book, it may be the most helpful step they can take toward losing weight and keeping it off," says bestselling author Kenneth Pelletier, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco.
An excerpt from the Foreword of Whole Person Integrative Eating by New York Times best-selling author Dean Ornish, M.D., Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California:
“The takeaway message in this well-researched and illuminating book is this: the antidote to overeating, overweight, and obesity and perhaps other diet-related chronic conditions may be to follow the ancient-food-wisdom-based guidelines that Kesten and Scherwitz describe in this book.”
The authors’ paradigm-shifting message is that food influences not only the physical dimensions of health, but also our emotional, spiritual and social well-being. Their dietary lifestyle can build bridges between the millions who struggle with overeating and weight issues and the medical community. And it can inspire us all to re-envision our relationships with food, eating and weight, so that each time we eat, we are nourished … for life.
Deborah Kesten, M.P.H.,is an international nutrition researcher, award-winning author and medical/health writer, with a specialty in preventing and reversing obesity and heart disease. She served as Nutritionist on Dean Ornish, M.D.’s first clinical trial for reversing heart disease through lifestyle changes, the results of which were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. She has served as Director of Nutrition at cardiovascular clinics in Europe and on the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, San Francisco.
Kesten has published more than 400 nutrition and health articles. Her first book, Feeding the Body, Nourishing the Soul, received the first-place gold award in the Spirituality category from the Independent Publisher Book Awards. Whole Person Integrative Eating has been honored with the No.1 gold, best-book award in the Health category by Book Excellence Awards. She is a VIP Contributor at Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global, and is married to behavioral scientist and co-author of Whole Person Integrative Eating, Larry Scherwitz, Ph.D.
New report underscores the positive economic impact of Ontario's doctors
TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2020 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors welcome a new report showing they contributed nearly $14 billion to the provincial economy and supported more than 125,000 jobs.
The report, prepared by the Conference Board of Canada, was released Tuesday by the Canadian Medical Association.
"When many people talk about health care, they often focus on how much it costs, but this report shows physicians on the front lines of the pandemic play an important role in keeping not just patients but the economy healthy," said Dr. Samantha Hill, president of the Ontario Medical Association.
The report shows that in 2019, there were 18,200 doctor's offices in Ontario, more than twice as many as any other province. There are 32,500 doctors on the front lines in Ontario, caring for patients around the clock.
The report found that doctors' offices also:
Paid $7.18 billion in wages
Paid $4.97 billion in taxes, more than any other province
"We know the pandemic deficit has made it difficult for Ontario's doctors to keep their offices open and we are counting on Premier Doug Ford to help doctors so they can continue to provide the best possible patient care," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "You can't have a healthy economy without robust front-line patient care."
About the OMA
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.
SOURCE Ontario Medical Association
Undo Overeating and Halt Weight Gain with this Breakthrough, Science-Backed Program
San Francisco, CA, November 9, 2020 — The premise of Whole Person Integrative Eating: A Breakthrough Dietary Lifestyleto Treat the Root Causes of Overeating, Overweight, and Obesity is simple yet powerful: Identify the reasons you overeat (your overeating styles) and gain weight—with the illuminating self-assessment quiz—then overcome overeating and lose weight by replacing your overeating styles with the antidotes: the elements of the Whole Person Integrative Eating program.
By shedding light on the root causes of overeating, holistic nutrition researcher Deborah Kesten, M.P.H., and behavioral scientist Larry Scherwitz, Ph.D., present a program that empowers readers with a personalized plan, and in turn new hope and new choices to help them reduce overeating, lose weight, and keep it off. “The combined effect of all seven ‘ingredients’ of Whole Person Integrative Eating makes the transformative difference,” says Kesten.
Plus, you’ll discover 65 delicious recipes based on the Whole Person Integrative Eating (WPIE) program to jumpstart your optimal-eating efforts.
WPIE is not a diet that a person goes on … then off. It is a scientifically sound, dietary lifestyle designed to be practiced for a lifetime.
"If people follow the revolutionary program outlined in this game-changing, insightful book, it may be the most helpful step they can take toward losing weight and keeping it off," says bestselling author Kenneth Pelletier, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco.
An excerpt from the Foreword of Whole Person Integrative Eating by New York Times best-selling author Dean Ornish, M.D., Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California:
“The takeaway message in this well-researched and illuminating book is this: the antidote to overeating, overweight, and obesity and perhaps other diet-related chronic conditions may be to follow the ancient-food-wisdom-based guidelines that Kesten and Scherwitz describe in this book.”
The authors’ paradigm-shifting message is that food influences not only the physical dimensions of health, but also our emotional, spiritual and social well-being. Their dietary lifestyle can build bridges between the millions who struggle with overeating and weight issues and the medical community. And it can inspire us all to re-envision our relationships with food, eating and weight, so that each time we eat, we are nourished … for life.
Deborah Kesten, M.P.H.,is an international nutrition researcher, award-winning author and medical/health writer, with a specialty in preventing and reversing obesity and heart disease. She served as Nutritionist on Dean Ornish, M.D.’s first clinical trial for reversing heart disease through lifestyle changes, the results of which were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. She has served as Director of Nutrition at cardiovascular clinics in Europe and on the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, San Francisco.
Kesten has published more than 400 nutrition and health articles. Her first book, Feeding the Body, Nourishing the Soul, received the first-place gold award in the Spirituality category from the Independent Publisher Book Awards. Whole Person Integrative Eating has been honored with the No.1 gold, best-book award in the Health category by Book Excellence Awards. She is a VIP Contributor at Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global, and is married to behavioral scientist and co-author of Whole Person Integrative Eating, Larry Scherwitz, Ph.D.
OWN SPICES UP THE FALL WITH FIRST EVER FOOD PROGRAMMING BLOCK PREMIERING SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Four New Original Cooking Shows Featuring Celebrated African American Chefs Join the Network's Daytime Lineup Including "Lovely Bites," "Tregaye's Way," "Food Fantasies" and "Tanya's Kitchen Table"Top left to right: Chef Connie "Lovely" Jackson; Chef Tregaye FraserBottom left to right: Chef Eddie Jackson; April Banks and Chef Tanya Holland (far right)To download hi-res photos, click HEREPhoto credit: Courtesy of OWN
Los Angeles, Calif. -- OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today its first ever food programming block with four all-new original cooking shows premiering on Saturday, November 14 featuring celebrated African American chefs. The programming starts at 12:00 p.m. ET/PT with "Lovely Bites" starring Chef Connie "Lovely" Jackson, followed by "Tregaye's Way" at 12:30 p.m. ET/PT starring Chef Tregaye Fraser, "Food Fantasies" at 1:00 p.m. ET/PT featuring several celebrity chefs each episode, and "Tanya's Kitchen Table" at 1:30 p.m. ET/PT starring Chef Tanya Holland. "Our viewers love spending time in the kitchen and cooking for themselves and their families," said Tina Perry, president, OWN. "We're excited to introduce for the first time a programming block of fun-filled cooking shows and look forward to making Saturday afternoons on OWN a new destination for foodies." For a sneak peek of the new food block click here:https://youtu.be/ERzTsUSwcOM About the series: "Lovely Bites" airs at 12:00 p.m. -- 12:30 p.m. ET/PTChef Connie "Lovely" Jackson is a Chicago native who's known for festive foods that are both tasty and gorgeous, using edible flowers, gold leaf and other touches of elegance on her signature dishes. A fierce fan favorite from "Hell's Kitchen" and "Food Network Star," Chef Lovely's food is approachable, clean and beautiful -- and her positive attitude is as inviting as her dishes. Her stand-and-stir show will focus on fun entertaining and celebrating festive occasions. Chef Lovely's bubbly energy is infectious and delicious food is her way to create long lasting memories. "Lovely Bites" is produced for OWN by FishBowl Worldwide Media. "Tregaye's Way" airs at 12:30 p.m. -- 1:00 p.m. ET/PTChef Tregaye Fraser is a fearless Atlanta chef who's not afraid to push the boundaries of traditional cuisine, and not afraid to push her kids' palates. The celebrated winner of "Food Network Star" is well-versed in cuisine from 24 different countries and is known for taking everyday foods from various regions and pairing them in unexpected ways that her family can enjoy. In this stand-and-stir series, her personal motivation is to help people create meals for their families and getting dinner on the table quickly and easily. "Tregaye's Way" is produced for OWN by FRANK. "Food Fantasies" airs at 1:00 p.m. -- 1:30 p.m. ET/PTDo you ever wonder what mouth-watering dishes our favorite culinary connoisseurs daydream about daily? "Food Fantasies" shows us exactly what chefs would make when each is presented the same hypothetical culinary fantasy such as: "What's the one dish you would make if calories didn't count?" And "what's the meal you would make for your nine-year-old self?" Join chefs Eddie Jackson, Nyesha Arrington, Jernard Wells, Darnell Ferguson, Danni Rose, Amaris Jones, Kelli Ferrell, Jocelyn Delk Adams, Gerry Garvin and Kiano Moju as they create and indulge their fantasy dishes. "Food Fantasies" is produced for OWN by Lando Entertainment (part of Levity Live). "Tanya's Kitchen Table" airs at 1:30 p.m. -- 2:00 p.m. ET/PTOakland-based chef Tanya Holland is a well-known restaurateur, cookbook author and soul food innovator. In this new stand-and-stir series, Chef Holland will showcase the beauty of "cooking local while thinking global" when audiences are invited to experience a one-of-a-kind course in cooking and some professional tips and tricks along the way. "Tanya's Kitchen Table" is produced for OWN by Triage Entertainment (part of Levity Live). About OWN: Oprah Winfrey NetworkOWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand and the magnetism of the channel. OWN is a leading destination for premium scripted and unscripted programming from today's most innovative storytellers. Launched on January 1, 2011, OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery, Inc. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. Access OWN anytime, anywhere on WatchOWN.tv or across mobile devices and connected TVs. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and https://press.discovery.com/us/own/ .
4 Ways to Aid Your Workout When Suffering From Chronic Respiratory Problems
Exercising is something that everyone should do. Even people with chronic health conditions such as asthma or allergies can realize many benefits from regular exercise. Unfortunately, for people with chronic respiratory problems, exercising can be quite a challenge. Still, though, the benefits of exercise make it worth it to try and overcome this challenge as best as you can. That's why it's important to find ways to aid your workout to make it as easy and beneficial as possible.
Utilize the Gym
If you have sensitive lungs that have common triggers such as the cold, allergens, and pollution irritants, you might find that sticking to controlled environments for your everyday workouts is best. Working out indoors at a gym gives you more control over the air you’re breathing while also offering the equipment you need to vary your workout. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should never take a run through mountain trails or enjoy a jog through the park. Simply keep your regularly scheduled workouts to the indoors and let the outdoor excursions be more spread out so you can properly prepare for the irritants you may face during them.
Utilize Oxygen
One of the main problems that people with respiratory issues face is a lack of oxygen absorption from the air. Therefore, if you can increase your oxygen supply, you can overcome some of your limitations when it comes to workouts. Pure canned oxygen allows you to easily get the oxygen you need in a swift manner, directly to your lungs. This takes the pressure off of your lungs to push harder to get the same amount of oxygen from air. It is especially important to have oxygen on hand to help recover quickly if you find yourself excessively dizzy during or after your workout.
Be Mindful
Although it's good to get your heart rate up during a workout, that doesn't mean you have to do heavy cardiovascular exercises every time you want to burn some calories. Mindfulness exercises, such as yoga, can help to burn calories without requiring excessive respiration. This means you can stay fit and healthy, even with serious breathing difficulties. As these exercises also include breathing control to strengthen your lungs, they can be beneficial for making those more strenuous exercises easier in the future.
Keep Aid Close
If your condition is able to turn dangerous quickly, then you need to make sure that you are taking precautions with your workouts to get aid quickly. In addition to keeping supports close, such as inhalers, medications, canned oxygen, and so forth, you’ll also want something close by to help you call for help if necessary. Most people can use their cellphones, but installing a panic app on your phone is much more efficient than relying on the emergency call settings already present in modern smartphones.
You should also make sure that someone you know is aware of where you are whenever you take your exercise outdoors and is able to come get you if you find yourself unable to continue forward. In fact, whenever you are going places where there are not many people (such as hikes or jogging on trails), you should take a buddy with you so that you can keep track of one another’s safety.
Exercising can be a frustrating habit for anyone to keep up. Therefore, when trying to exercise with a chronic respiratory problem, progress can seem to take a long time, making it easy to want to give up. It's important, though, to stay positive, because even baby steps of progress can greatly improve your quality of life.
Long Live Little Brats!
The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation launches a $200-million fundraising campaign to spur innovation in research, health care and teaching at the Children's
MONTREAL, Nov. 9, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Healthy kids are full of energy and curiosity. They push boundaries and test limits as a natural part of growing up. At the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation (The Children's Foundation), we recognize that things can get a little hairy sometimes! Such as when a child finger-paints on the wall, slathers on mom's make-up, or plays hide and seek (really well!) at bedtime. Yes, at times, kids can be little brats.
Unfortunately, good health eludes the newborns, children, and teens who turn to the Montreal Children's Hospital for expert care by its highly specialized medical teams. Fighting illness zaps children of their energy and mutes their enthusiasm for life. A sick child affects the entire family.
This is why the Children's Foundation is launching its 'Long Live Little Brats' campaign, its first major solo fundraiser in 28 years. The most ambitious pediatric campaign in Quebec's history aims to raise $200 million by 2026 to support innovation in pediatric research, care and teaching at the Children and at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre.
"I was talking to a pediatrician about the 'Long Live Little Brats' campaign and she was totally in agreement that healthy kids are rambunctious, curious and a little bratty," says Ms. Renée Vézina, President of the Children's Foundation. "The doctor knows the ones who are playing tag or teasing their sibling in the waiting room are generally not too sick. It is the ones sitting solemnly and listlessly in their parent's arms that she worries about. The goal of this campaign is to help sick children be little brats again. That is why I am proud to say, with affection, long live little brats!"
Since opening its doors 115 years ago as Quebec's first pediatric hospital, the Children's has been a hub of innovation. The doctors, researchers, and medical teams continually push the boundaries of knowledge, developing new treatments and new approaches to care. Their goal - to see the sickest children live their best lives, whether they live in Montreal, Gatineau, or le Grand Nord.
"Healthcare is constantly advancing. The Children's team is devoted to providing cutting-edge clinical care, and its researchers relentlessly search for the cures of tomorrow. But there's more work to do," says Ms. Katrin Nakashima, Chair of the Board of the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation Board. "This campaign will ensure the Children's continues to set the standard for patient and family-centred care, continues to find novel ways to heal the most complex conditions and continues to train the next generation of pediatric specialists. We want every child to grow up to be a healthy adult."
Outstanding Campaign Cabinet Our stellar 41-member volunteer Campaign Cabinet is a who's who of the Quebec business community and major philanthropists. It is led by the Honourable L. Yves Fortier, PC, CC, OQ, QC as honorary president; and co-presidents Jean-Philippe Lemay, Global President and Chief Operating Officer, Fiera Capital; Isabelle Marcoux, Chair of the Board Transcontinental Inc.; Jean Raby, Chief Executive Officer, Natixis Investment Managers; Kim Thomassin, Executive Vice-President and Head of Investments in Québec and Stewardship Investing, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec; Jonathan Wener, Chairman, Canderel; and Darryl White, Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group. Together, we are reaching out to corporations, small businesses and individuals to attain our goal.
Please see the campaign video and radio advertisement at fondationduchildren.com to discover more about the campaign's goals and make a donation.
SOURCE The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation
Canadian Rapid Treatment Center of Excellence Opens Second Location Providing Ketamine Treatment for Adults with Depression
Clinic effectively addresses the unmet need of depression and suicide
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 9, 2020 /CNW/ - The Canadian Rapid Treatment Center of Excellence (the "CRTCE") announces today the opening of a new clinic in downtown Toronto. Both the existing Mississauga clinic and newly opened Toronto clinic (the "CRTCEClinics") address the unmet need of depression and suicide through novel ketamine therapy treatment.
"These CRTCE Clinics address the unmet need of depression and suicide," said Dr. Joshua Rosenblat, Medical Director, CRTCE. "Ketamine therapy is highly effective in treating people with severe depression where other treatments have proven to be ineffective. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for effective treatment have become exponentially critical."
The first of its kind in Canada, the CRTCE multidisciplinary outpatient clinical research facility has specialized in providing breakthrough rapid onset treatments for depression, including but not limited to intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine. These therapies aid patients suffering from several treatment-resistant conditions such as major depressive disorder and/or bipolar disorder.
"In just two and a half years we have administered more than 2000 infusions for over 300 patients. Many of these patients have experienced substantial relief for what often can be debilitating depression and suicidal thinking," said Kevin Kratiuk, Vice President of Operations, CRTCE. "Many of our patients regain their quality of life, their families, and their livelihood".
To obtain treatment, patients must be referred to one of the CRTCE Clinics by family physicians, psychiatrists, or nurse practitioners. Patients with PTSD and OCD are considered on a case by case basis. Kratiuk continued, "The additional clinic will expand our capacity to help significantly more people affected by depression".
The new Toronto clinic is located at Avenue and Dupont in Toronto. "The opening of our second CRTCE site in Ontario provides an opportunity for us to address the suffering associated with depression and provide patients a hopeful and innovative treatment avenue. Moreover, our second center represents a venue for us to conduct ongoing research on new treatments for depression to improve the quality of patient's lives affected by these common and debilitating disorders in Canada,"said Dr. Roger McIntyre, CEO Champignon Brands Inc., Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology University of Toronto.
Background Founded in July 2018, Canadian Rapid Treatment Center of Excellence (CRTCE) (https://www.crtce.com/) is an all-Canadian company operating two clinics in the Greater Toronto Area. Along with companies AltMed Capital Corp. and Apotheosis Scientific, CRTCE provides a platform for treatment development identification of and implementation breakthrough derivatives of ketamine and psychedelics, and innovative delivery platforms for the purpose of treating medical disorders like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as substance and alcohol use disorder.
The CRTCE's Intravenous Ketamine Infusion Therapy aims to aid those suffering from several treatment-resistant conditions. The clinic provides a comfortable environment focused on the safety and success of each individual patient.
SOURCE Champignon Brands Inc.
Ontario's mental health and addiction leaders respond to Ontario budget
TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Ontario's leading mental health organizations including Addictions and Mental Health Ontario, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Children's Mental Health Ontario, The Royal, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, and Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care are disappointed that the Ontario government has failed to recognize the mental health and addiction crisis in Ontario in the 2020 Budget.
Just over a week ago, on October 29, 2020, Premier Doug Ford told reporters that the mental health of Ontarians is his government's number one priority. The comment was a reminder of the commitment to create a comprehensive and connected system for mental health and addiction and to invest $3.8 billion over 10 years. But as the 2020 Budget included no new announcements for additional mental health and addiction services, we are concerned the government is not taking this parallel pandemic seriously.
While the investment of $176 million from last month will provide new services for some Ontarians, it falls much too short of the significant investments needed. It is disappointing that the budget does not include any indication of how the government intends to fulfill their promise to build a comprehensive and connected mental health system.
Even before the onset of COVID-19, more than one million people in Ontario experienced mental health and addiction challenges every year. Ontarians were already facing wait times of up to 2.5 years to access mental health and addiction services, often turning to emergency rooms in crisis.
The impact of the pandemic on people's mental health has been profound and cannot be ignored any longer. Ontarians are experiencing greater rates of anxiety, stress and depression fueled by social isolation, loneliness and other effects of this pandemic. Public health measures pose risks to the declining health of people living with severe and persistent mental illness. Ontarians are also using more substances and, tragically, rates of opioid-related deaths are skyrocketing. The province's chief coroner estimated overdoses and opioid-related deaths are up 40 per cent since the pandemic began.
The mental health of Ontarians is not just a social issue, it is an economic issue. Ontarians who are struggling with mental illness or substance use during this pandemic are facing difficulties working, earning an income, paying taxes, maintaining stable housing and caring for their families - this should have been a top priority of the government's budget.
As sector leaders, we are concerned that the government is failing to recognize the magnitude of the mental health and addiction crisis occurring in parallel to the COVID-19 pandemic. With no new funding provided to support the mental health of Ontarians wait lists will continue to grow across the province. In the absence of implementing a mental health and addictions strategy, there will continue to be unclear pathways to care for people who need it and service availability and quality will vary depending on where Ontarians live, their level of income, their race and gender.
We need a focus on reducing wait times and improving the quality of services. This demands a commitment to flow the remaining $204 million for mental health support before the end of the fiscal year and a public, 10-year plan to implement the Roadmap to Wellness and meet the platform commitment of $3.8 billion over 10 years. The time is now.
SOURCE Addictions and Mental Health Ontario
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