The recently approved City of Toronto budget, which nearly doubled funding to the Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS), is a welcome step to better support people experiencing crisis. TCCS is a non-police-led mental health crisis response that some consider the city’s fourth emergency service. Vulnerable people experiencing a mental health crisis too often face coercive […]
Mental health
City of Toronto Budget 2024: Our input
Although the City of Toronto 2024 budget takes bold steps toward supporting residents and advancing equity in key areas, there is much more work that needs to be done to build a city that is resilient, mentally healthy and equitable for all.
Getting to the root of the mental health crisis
Bell Let’s Talk’s 2024 campaign, “Let’s create real change” opens a crucial conversation about taking lasting action to address the mental health crisis. Worrisome mental health trends are being observed globally and in Toronto. According to Toronto Public Health, the number of Toronto residents reporting very good or excellent mental health has fallen from 71 […]
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Federal budget 2024: COVID highlights need for health equity
Wellesley Institute’s Pre-Budget Written Submission Canada has significant inequities in the social determinants of health, including housing, income, education, discrimination and access to health and social care. We also continue to see these inequities played out through the ongoing disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and long COVID on Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities, low-income […]
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Toronto mayoral election series: Mental health and well-being
Wellesley Institute is publishing a series examining how mayoral candidates can show leadership and deliver Toronto the Bold—a city that takes wellness, health, and equity seriously to build a better future for every Torontonian, and that takes the lead on doing so. Previously, we have examined housing and public transit. Below, we discuss how the […]
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Factors that impact how Black youth access the mental healthcare system in Ontario
Pathways to Care is a community-driven project committed to transforming the mental healthcare system for Black children, youth, and their families. Their latest report details perspectives from participants about barriers to accessing mental healthcare for Black youth and multiple levels of the system and centres the perspectives of Black youth and the people who care […]
Continue ReadingFactors that impact how Black youth access the mental healthcare system in Ontario Download PublicationFactors that Impact How Black Youth Access the Mental Healthcare System in Ontario
COVID-19 and racialized communities: Impacts on mental health
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant inequities in terms of health and social outcomes, and magnified stressors such as increased risk of exposure to and illness from COVID-19, job loss, and housing and food insecurity. These stressors have been particularly felt by already marginalized groups, including those from racialized communities, and there is evidence […]
Continue ReadingCOVID-19 and racialized communities: Impacts on mental health Download PublicationThe Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Well-being A Focus on Racialized Communities in the GTA
Mental health-related calls in Toronto during the COVID-19 pandemic
The onset of COVID-19 and the introduction of lockdown practices to prevent its spread have raised considerable concerns about their impact on mental health, and the potential for an ‘echo pandemic’ of mental health problems. For this reason, the City of Toronto announced a mental health support strategy in April of 2020, urging residents to […]
Continue ReadingMental health-related calls in Toronto during the COVID-19 pandemic Download PublicationMental-Health-Related-Calls-July-22
Mental Health and Cities Summit to highlight mental health as a national urban issue
March 29, 2018 Mayor Tory to host Mental Health & Cities Summit to highlight mental health as a national urban issue Mayor John Tory will host a Mental Health & Cities Summit on April 9 at Hart House at the University of Toronto, in partnership with Toronto Public Health, the Wellesley Institute, CAMH, Civic Action, […]
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Livestream Bernie Sanders in Toronto
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders will speak at the University of Toronto this Sunday, Oct 29th, 2017. Due to high demand, tickets have sold out. A livestream will be available day of. Wellesley Institute, the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, the North American Observatory on Health Systems & Policies, the Broadbent Institute and […]