The City of Toronto unveiled a new initiative titled “Our Health, Our City” to combat the harmful effects of substance use and promote mental health.
“Our Health, Our City is a bold plan to make our city safer and more caring by promoting better mental health and well-being for all,” Mayor Olivia Chow said.
“Implementing this strategy will be an enormous team effort, requiring collaboration across City divisions, community organizations, health care partners, and other government partners,” she said.
However, like any initiative, there are encouraging aspects and dangers that require careful consideration.
It is admirable that Toronto is taking a proactive approach to substance usage and mental health. The strategy document states that one in five Torontonians face mental health issues each year.
A troubling trend of declining mental health is being observed in Toronto as well. Compared to 71 per cent in 2017, 55 per cent of adults in 2021 assessed their mental health as “very good” or “excellent.” In 2019, just 44 per cent of Toronto students (Grades 7–12) said they had “very good” or “excellent” mental health.
Numerous social and health injustices, such as a lack of affordable housing, poverty, traumatic experiences, chronic pain, and barriers to accessing health care contribute to the exacerbation of this issue.
Nearly 2,900 people have died in the city as a result of opioid-related poisoning since 2015. These trends worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The city hopes to significantly lessen the load on people and the healthcare system by addressing the underlying causes and developing a more comprehensive support system.
A positive aspect is the commitment to increased funding. The strategy proposes an increased investment in mental health and substance use services, affordable housing, and a “provincial coordination protocol that enhances support for the seamless transfer of individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises to hospital emergency departments.”
This financial commitment has the potential to build a more robust and encouraging mental health infrastructure when combined with an emphasis on early intervention, prevention, and community involvement.
While this plan does seem promising, some issues warrant careful consideration.
This initiative requires a significant substantial investment, and given the current state of the economy, concerns are raised regarding the strategy’s long-term viability. The task of budgetary balance without sacrificing the quality and accessibility of mental health care would be quite difficult.
Despite this, Toronto’s recommended approach to substance abuse and mental health is a great attempt to address widespread problems that affect our community. The city wants to make its citizens live in a more resilient and encouraging community, therefore it is tackling these issues head-on.
But this initiative needs to be implemented well, have long-term funding, and take a comprehensive strategy to tackle the root causes, rather than just treating symptoms.
As Torontonians, we should applaud this comprehensive strategy while being watchful to make sure it keeps its word to establish a city that prioritizes mental health and reduces the harmful effects of substance use.
Our collective well-being demands nothing less.