Leading mental health organization eyes 30 full-time job cuts amid funding shortfalls, CEO says

Ontario’s largest branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is warning that without more provincial funding, it may have to eliminate 30 full-time employees positions  — a move that will increase wait times for services that are already in high demand.

“Without additional investment in community-based care, we risk longer wait times, increased pressure on emergency services, and reduced service delivery during a worsening opioid crisis,” said Pam Tobin, CEO of CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services (TVAMHS). 

“Our services lessen the strain on other systems and we are working diligently to ensure our low-barrier access is not disrupted and quality of care remains high.”

The London-based organization recently reported a $2.6 million deficit on its $52.5 million budget, which Tobin said is a first in its history.

With more than 650 employees and about 300 volunteers, the agency serves London and neighbouring Elgin-Middlesex and Oxford counties, working with more than 15,000 clients through in-person services that include treatment, case management, peer support and wellness programs. The agency helps more than 1,000 people who are experiencing homelessness access supportive housing.

The agency’s crisis centre facilitates police and ambulance drop-off for those in crisis, diverting people from the emergency department. Last year, it provided almost 20,000 crisis response interactions, and more than 43,000 phone-based interactions, Tobin said. 

“Providing funding to community-based programs is a lot more cost effective than waiting until somebody gets to a point where they need to be hospitalized or they need additional services,” she said “It provides that support to communities, in community.” 

In addition to working closely with first responders, crisis centres and a variety of other health care and community groups, CMHA TVAMHS programs and employees provide education, peer support, wellness programs, police-partnerships, phone-based programs and community treatment services. 

Services help health-care system

Of CMHA TVAMHS’s budget, 86 per cent of expenditures are in salaries and benefits. Last year, the organization received a five per cent increase in base funding from the province, which amounted to $1.6 million. While it was the first substantial boost in a decade, the increase didn’t cover growing service demands and operational costs, forcing the agency to “make difficult choices,” Tobin said. 

“With a deficit of $2.6 million, even if we were to receive the same amount this year, we’d still be operating in a deficits and we haven’t received any messaging that we will receive an increase in our base funding this year,” she said. 

“Community-based care is often paid up to 30 per cent less than other health care settings. Our staff are performing increasingly complex work with a growing demand for services, and they deserve fair compensation.”

The agency is calling on the province to fund its staff and services appropriately as it helps alleviate the burden on the overall health-care system.

A Ministry spokesperson told CBC News in an email that it invested an additional $396 million over three years for mental health and addictions services in this year’s budget.

“This includes $124 million to support the Addictions Recovery Fund which will fund more addictions recovery beds and new mobile mental health clinics connecting more people to the support they need, when and where they need it,” wrote the spokesperson, Hannah Jensen.