Toronto’s board of health is urging the allocation of additional mental health resources to address the enduring repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on children and teenagers.
During a meeting held on Monday, the board reached a consensus to recommend that the city request increased mental health funding from the province. This augmentation in resources aims to assist students who require “intensive” intervention exceeding the capacity of the school system.
More specifically, the board’s resolution underscores the necessity for the province to tackle prolonged wait times for treatment and enhance the accessibility of care for students grappling with distress. Additionally, the board has proposed that the city engage in collaborative efforts with school boards to effectively address this issue. These recommendations are slated to be presented at the upcoming city council meeting.
During the meeting, representatives from Toronto Public Health (TPH) provided valuable insights, revealing that recent surveys have unveiled concerning trends among students. These include heightened levels of depression, a surge in screen time, and a reduction in physical activity.
Dr. Eileen de Villa, the city’s medical officer of health, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “Unfortunately, what we’ve seen is that a significant proportion of our young people, almost 50 per cent in fact, described that they were having moderate to severe concerns in respect of their mental health.”
She further emphasized the imperative for collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, including governments, school boards, families, and the broader community, to collectively bolster the well-being and mental health of these students in need.
