Ontario will offer free therapy for people with depression and anxiety
- Michael Kras
- 04 Mar 2020
The province’s health ministry announced on Wednesday that it will soon be offering free therapy for anxiety and depression.
The new program, called Mindability, will be funded just like OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan), involving zero cost out-of-pocket to patients who make use of the program.
This is a considerable change from the current structure, in which the only mental health services OHIP covers are those provided by a family doctor or psychiatrist. Other than that, access to therapy can be quite costly, despite the provincial prevalence of anxiety and depression.
Thanks to the leadership of Ministers @celliottability and @MichaelTibollo our government is investing $20 million to launch Mindability!
A groundbreaking program that builds on the amazing work being done by @CAMHnews, @OntarioShores, @WaypointCtr & @TheRoyalMHC pic.twitter.com/Zj64aD4yks
— Todd Smith (@ToddSmithPC) March 3, 2020
“Through this groundbreaking program, an individual will receive an assessment from a trained mental health clinician and offered a therapy program that best addresses their level of need,” says Ontario health minister Christine Elliot.
Mindability’s program is built to offer cognitive behavioural therapy specifically for those suffering from anxiety and depression, and patients will be able to sign up and schedule their appointments online, by phone, or via text message.
The services will include options for in-person individual and group therapy, on top of coaching and sessions via phone call with mental health professionals. Internet modules and workbooks will be offered in addition.
The new program offers a positive step forward for mental health support in the province, increasing ease and accessibility for necessary services that address issues affecting countless Canadians of all stripes.
The Ontario government will spend $20 million on the Mindability program this year, with plans to have the program fully implemented in the province within the next three to four years.
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