Ontario failing to provide adequate mental health services for youth and children, auditor general says

Ontario’s Mental Health Services for Youth and Children Under Scrutiny

Ontario’s auditor general, Shelley Spence, recently released a report highlighting the inadequacies in mental health services for youth and children in the province. The report sheds light on the challenges faced by children and youth in accessing timely and appropriate mental health services in their communities.

According to the report, one in five children and youth in Ontario will experience mental health challenges in their lifetimes. However, the services and supports provided by government-funded agencies are falling short of meeting the needs of young people and their families during difficult times.

The report found that more than half of the province’s 33 service areas lack adequate support for children with mental health needs. Only 13 service areas offer live-in treatment for those with severe needs, with an average wait time of 105 days in 2023-2024, an increase from the previous year.

Furthermore, the report highlighted that 70% of youth mental health agencies surveyed stated that services do not meet the needs of youth with concurrent mental health and addiction disorders. Additionally, there is a lack of services for youth transitioning into adulthood, with only three agencies in the Greater Toronto Area and eastern Ontario providing access to secure treatment programs for children and youth at risk of harming themselves or others.

Funding gaps and surpluses were also identified in the report, with $66 million in surpluses across the province and over $64 million yet to be collected. The Ministry of Health (MOH) was criticized for not providing evidence-based, timely, equitable, and coordinated youth mental health services following the transfer of oversight from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services in 2018.

The report made 22 recommendations to MOH, all of which have been accepted by the government. Health Minister Sylvia Jones’ spokesperson stated that the government is committed to improving access to mental health services for youth and children in Ontario.

In addition to the mental health services report, the auditor general also released a second report highlighting the need for improved oversight of non-municipal drinking water systems in the province. The report emphasized the importance of testing non-municipal drinking water to ensure the safety of nearly three million Ontario residents who rely on it.

While 98% of samples from non-municipal drinking water systems met provincial quality standards over the past decade, not all water is required to be tested, and system owners often fail to comply with testing requirements. This lack of testing poses risks to Ontarians, including gastrointestinal illness and death.

Overall, the reports underscore the pressing need for improved mental health services for youth and children in Ontario, as well as enhanced oversight of non-municipal drinking water systems to safeguard public health. The government’s commitment to addressing these issues will be crucial in ensuring the well-being of the province’s residents.