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A publicly funded agency that offers mental health and addiction services in the London region has posted its first ever deficit, prompting officials to “raise the alarm” about a lack of funding.
In a Tuesday statement, Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services announced the organization had recorded a $2.6-million shortfall on $52.5 million in revenue over the fiscal year ending on March 31.
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“While our financial constraints have minimally impacted service provision to date, we foresee greater impacts in the future,” said CEO Pam Tobin, who took the helm last year. “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.”
In the statement, officials say the deficit underscores the “chronic underfunding” of community-based addiction and mental health treatment, as demand grows. It acknowledges a five per cent funding boost last year, but says it’s not enough to meet demand.
The local agency has reduced its staff and restructured services to address the funding shortfall, but officials say the toll on services so far is minimal. They’re calling on the government to increase mental health and addictions funding, and encourages community members to advocate for the same.
The organization operates crisis teams, case management and counselling, addiction treatment, and housing supports across Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, and South Huron counties. Officials say their work takes pressure off police and emergency rooms.
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In a typical year, the London-based agency has more than 15,000 in-person clients across its programming, and has more than 1,000 people in supportive housing. Last year, it provided almost 20,000 crisis responses and handled more than 43,000 calls to its crisis and support lines.
“We know our services are needed,” Tobin said in a statement. “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 agency is funded primarily by the provincial government, with additional contributions from the cities of London and St. Thomas, the surrounding counties, United Way, and the London Community Foundation.
The mental health and addictions agency is the latest provincially funded body to face a deficit in the London area, including the Thames Valley District school board and the Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex.
jmoulton@postmedia.com
@jackmoulton65
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