MDSC was pleased to see that Budget 2024 includes much-needed investments in mental health, Veterans, and health research. As we all know, mental illness impacts most families. Each of us, or someone close to us, is coping with the effects of a mental illness or a serious mental health problem. Budget 2024 illustrates that policymakers are starting to listen and act on the advice of community mental health organizations and professionals.

We recognize and greatly appreciate the announcement of $500 million for youth mental health directed toward community health organizations targeting key essential services. This support will have a significant impact. This investment can help address key findings from our 2022 MDSC-held roundtables with 48 community mental health organizations representing every province and territory. Our final report detailed clearly and concisely the challenges and barriers these mental health care providers are trying to overcome. The new Youth Mental Health Fund can offer targeted assistance in supporting community mental health organizations to deliver crucial mental health services for young Canadians while enabling these organizations to strengthen mental health services within their networks and partnerships. These are the foundations of our mental health system. We must build connected bridges between all these organizations and local clinicians and hospitals to better integrate all healthcare services.

MDSC recognizes other key initiatives such as:

  • Investment of $7.5 million over three years, starting in 2024-25, to the Public Health Agency of Canada to support Kids Help Phone in their work providing mental health, counselling, and crisis support to young people. Kids Help Phone does incredible work and we are very pleased to see this investment.
  • $150 million over three years, starting in 2024-25, to Health Canada for an Emergency Treatment Fund, open to municipalities and Indigenous communities to help provide rapid responses to emergent, critical needs related to the opioid crisis.
  • $4 million over two years, starting in 2024-25, for the Public Health Agency of Canada to continue supporting initiatives through the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund that aim to increase health equity and address mental health and its determinants for Black Canadians.

Budget 2024 commits its support to community mental health. This investment indicates the federal government values the work of these organizations, which diligently provide a wide spectrum of direct services, programs and resources to persons impacted by mental illness and mental health problems. Providing all communities with essential care.

Advancing health Research

MDSC strongly supports prioritizing the investment of crucial research grant funding. Budget 2024 dedicates $1.8 billion over five years, starting in 2024-25, with $748.3 million per year ongoing to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). These investments will allow our Canadian research community to continue to be at the forefront of developing new technologies and treatments.

Supporting Veterans and their Families

MDSC works closely with and supports Veterans and their Families across Canada. Many public, private, and academic organizations have received support through the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund (VFWBF). This is a groundbreaking VAC initiative, started in 2018, that supports important development, expansion, and delivery of innovative programs that enable organizations to deliver core services with outcomes validation and research that directly benefits the Veteran community. MDSC is very pleased to see:

  • Budget 2024 will provide an additional $6 million over three years, starting in 2024-25, to Veterans Affairs Canada for the Veteran and Family Well-being Fund. A portion of the funding will focus on projects for Indigenous, women, and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans.

We were also keen to see:

  • Budget 2024 expands the Veteran Family Telemedicine Service pilot for another three years. With an investment of $9.3 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, to Veterans Affairs Canada which will provide up to two years of telemedicine services to recent Veterans and their families.

Commemorating Canada’s Veterans

Choosing to serve one’s country is the greatest expression of honour and service. MDSC was very humbled to see that Budget 2024 provides support for commemorations. To honour the contributions and sacrifices of Canadian Veterans:

  • Dedicates $3.8 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, to Veterans Affairs Canada for the Juno Beach Centre to assist in preserving the legacy of all Canadians who served during the Second World War.
  • Will provide $4 million in 2024-25 to Veterans Affairs Canada to commemorate significant Canadian military milestones, including the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, and the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Canadian peacekeeping mission in Cyprus.

Supporting Inclusivity and Employment

MDSC was very pleased to see the $105 million committed in 2024-25 to support the implementation of an employment strategy for persons with disabilities through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. 90% of persons with serious mental illness are unemployed. Many of those with less serious mental health problems, are often under-employed because they are passed over for promotions or their skills and expertise are undervalued and under-utilized. With more than 30% of disability claims and 70% of disability costs attributed to mental illness, we need an employment strategy that will enable change within workplaces.

Budgeting for Community Mental Health:

Community mental health organizations operate tirelessly across the nation, striving to serve their communities. The crucial role these organizations play in being an accessible resource within one’s community, reducing wait times for the support patients desperately need, while alleviating pressures in primary and emergency care settings, cannot be overstated.

Despite facing significant challenges, community mental health organizations continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience and dedication in serving their regions. They have shown incredible adaptability in addressing the evolving needs of their regions. Mental health knows no boundaries; it affects individuals regardless of gender, race, economic situation, or geographic location. With this funding announcement, the federal government has decided to invest in these crucial organizations by directly investing in Canadian community-based, collaborative organizations and leaders with direct lived and living experience.

Statistics Canada’s 2021 report underscores the urgency of the situation, with increasing figures indicating the growing need for mental health support. Approximately 11.7 percent of Canadians reported fair or poor mental health, and 3.1 million reported mood disorders in 2021, representing an increase in both from previous years.

While the statistics may be concerning, there is a growing awareness of the importance of addressing mental health issues in our society. Although progress may seem slow, it’s encouraging to see the government taking steps forward in this regard.

By supporting and listening to the voices of the mental health community, the government is beginning to pave the way for collaborative approaches to better outcomes. With this show of support, community organizations will be empowered to expand their vital programs and services, have increased access to resources, and ensure that individuals receive the necessary assistance in their communities to enhance their well-being.

About MDSC

Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) has grown out of the vision and drive of a number of persons with directly lived experience leaders from across Canada who in 1995 saw the need for a broad-based structure to bring PWLE together and who believe that we have a key role to play concerning education and advocacy at the national level. MDSC has evolved to become one of Canada’s best-connected and collaborative mental health charities with a demonstrated track record for forging and maintaining meaningful and sustained partnerships with the public, private, voluntary, and non-profit sectors throughout Canada.

It was formally launched and incorporated in 2001 with the overall objective of providing people with mood disorders with a strong, cohesive voice at the national level to improve access to treatment, inform research, and shape program development and government policies with the goal of improving the quality of life for people affected by mood disorders.

For further information MDSC Media Relations (613) 921-5565, info@mdsc.ca

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