Ontario pledges $4.2M extra annual funding to residential treatment centre for youth

The Ontario government announced on Monday that it will provide more than $4.2 million in additional funding annually to a residential treatment centre that helps teenagers with mental health and addiction issues.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said the money is earmarked for the Pine River Institute in Mulmur, Ont., about 100 kilometres northwest of Toronto. The increase in funding will enable the treatment centre to add 30 new beds by March 2022, bringing the total number of beds at the facility to 59.

Outside the treatment centre, Elliott told reporters that the government realizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in demand for mental health services for young people.

"Supporting the health and well-being of children and youth has never been more important. We know that children and youth are struggling, families and communities are struggling as well," Elliott said.

"We knew that, as a result of COVID, there was going to be an increase in the mental health and addiction needs across the province of Ontario. Youth are no different. There have been a lot of stresses and strains for everybody during the course of this pandemic. We know that the need is going to continue to grow. We need to have more facilities. Mental health is health."

Elliott said the government plans to encourage the expansion of other facilities in Ontario as well.

Pine River Institute, a not-for-profit treatment centre that opened about 15 years ago, treats young people aged 13-19 who have addictive behaviours and other mental health issues.