February 28, 2023 | North York, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada
While many people in Canada struggle with their mental health, certain groups face unique challenges because of systemic racism, discrimination, socio-economic status or social exclusion. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally impacted and exacerbated mental health challenges within these equity deserving communities. Among these communities, seniors have experienced many challenges to their mental health.
Today, the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced $2.5 million in funding to the Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health (CCSMH). Through this project, the CCSMH will synthesize best evidence on anxiety, behavioral symptoms of dementia, depression and substance use disorders in older adults, during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The project will develop and disseminate guidelines, training, tools and resources for health care providers, caregivers and older adults, to promote and protect the mental health of older adults.
This project is expected to reach 241,000 health professionals, and will be guided by working groups representing pan-Canadian expertise in the fields of gerontology, geriatrics, psychiatry, addiction, social work and nursing among others. The project will also incorporate the perspectives of older adults with lived experience as well as their informal caregivers.
This announcement is part of a $100 million investment provided in Budget 2021 to support projects that promote mental health and prevent mental illness in populations disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These include youth; seniors; First Nations, Inuit and Métis; Black and other racialized people in Canada; front-line and other essential workers; and others whose mental health has been-and continues to be-especially impacted by the pandemic.
The Government of Canada is committed to continuing to work closely with provinces and territories to ensure that investments are used in the best interest of patients and health workers.
