Ontario Government invests $1M into the York Region Mental Health Community Care Centre

Newmarket, ON – On Thursday, MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy announced that her government is investing $1,095,100 in one-time funding to support the first year of facility and start-up costs for the York Region Mental Health Community Care Centre (The Centre) initiative. Once open, The Centre will be a 24/7 community-based, leading-edge facility providing support for individuals aged 12+ experiencing mental health and/or addiction crises. 

“This investment marks another major milestone in making this Centre a reality,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora. ”I would like to thank Rebecca Shields and the entire CMHA York Region South Simcoe team for their continued passion, leadership, and care for our community. Together, we, along with all the dedicated partners, are building a stronger, more compassionate mental health system.’’

The mission of The Centre is to ensure that someone’s first mental health and/or addictions crisis is their last. The Centre will be more than a building; it will be a place where people experiencing mental health and/or addictions challenges are able to receive care with dignity and respect. This funding from the government will pave the way to opening The Centre, which will offer a range of specialized treatment that is culturally appropriate and connects individuals to their next step in recovery and healing.

“We are grateful to Dawn Gallagher Murphy and the Ontario Government for this generous investment that will empower CMHA and our partners as we move towards the launch of The Centre,” said Rebecca Shields, CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association - York Region South Simcoe, the lead agency for The Centre. "This funding is a meaningful step toward building a more accessible and compassionate mental health system for everyone.”

For those aged 16 years and older requiring stabilization and management beyond 24 hours, the future Centre will have 10 crisis beds and 10 withdrawal management beds. Through partnerships and collaboration, The Centre will offer direct connections to community-based mental health and addiction support services. It is estimated that two-thirds of The Centre clients will be diverted from emergency departments, reducing system pressures, and improving overall healthcare accessibility in the region.

For more information about The Centre and to stay up to date on its progress, visit https://www.thecentre-yr.ca/.

About Canadian Mental Health Association, York Region and South Simcoe

Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health federation in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and the Yukon, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive.

CMHA York Region and South Simcoe (CMHA-YRSS) is one of the fastest-growing branches of CMHA, supporting over 22,000 individuals last year alone. CMHA-YRSS' mission is to deliver quality mental health and addictions services that promote recovery and health, and end stigma. With more than 30 programs across the region, the organization is a leader in health care delivery and an active partner in research. Learn more at www.cmha-yr.on.ca.

For more information:

Cheryn Thoun
Senior Director, Communications
Canadian Mental Health Association York Region South Simcoe
cthoun@cmha-yr.on.ca