Developing a Mental Health Strategy in Ontario

There are currently two related processes taking place towards the development of a comprehensive mental health and addictions strategy in Ontario. We encourage everyone - consumers, family members, service providers and anyone else interested in this issue - to take full advantage of these processes. There are many ways to participate, both in person and through written submissions.

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care: Every Door is the Right Door

Minister David Caplan has made mental health and addictions a priority for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). As part of his efforts, he established a Minister's Advisory Group which was tasked with helping to develop a provincial mental health and addictions strategy. The draft discussion paper which forms the basis for this strategy, entitled "Every Door is the Right Door" was released at the Mental Health Summit on July 13, 2009. Click here to view the paper.

SSO submitted its feedback on the "Every Door is the Right Door" discussion paper and the vision for this strategy.  Click here to view our written submission.

Click here for more information on the Ministry's work on mental health.

Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions

A Select Committee of the Provincial Legislature was established in December 2008 to propose a comprehensive mental health and addictions strategy for Ontario. The Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions – with representatives (MPPs) from all three parties - is mandated to work with consumers, families, providers, experts and other interested parties to determine the mental health and addiction needs that currently exist.

As part of their work, the Select Committee is holding consultations across the province. Public hearings were held in Windsor, St. Thomas, Hamilton and Kingston in June 2009 and in Thunder Bay, North Bay, Sudbury and Ottawa this fall. Consultations are still happening in Toronto.

To view the PowerPoint presentation SSO used in its presentation to the Select Committee,  click here .

To view the transcript of our presentation to the Select Committee on Hansard, click here.

SSO informed its networks about the opportunity to present at these public hearings by e-mail this past summer. Training opportunities were offered to those who were given a spot to present. So far, 25 people have been trained on how to deliver their message to the Select Committee in the most effective way possible.

If you missed the opprortunity to make an oral presentation, you can still share your thoughts in writing. Written submission can be sent to Kevin Flynn, Committee Chair, c/o Susan Sourial at Room 1405, Whitney Block, Queen's Park, Toronto, ON, M7A 1A2.