Shortfalls identified in child and youth mental health system: Ontario auditor [Video]

Ontario’s auditor general says the Ministry of Health could more effectively plan and oversee child and youth mental health services in the province.

Auditor general Shelley Spence released two reports today, pointing out flaws in that system as well as in the safety of non-municipal drinking water systems, though 98 per cent of samples in the past 10 years have met standards.

Spence found that in 2023-24, the wait for intensive youth mental health treatment was 105 days, up from 94 days in the previous year, and the ministry has not done a comprehensive analysis of whether more spaces would be beneficial.

And among the community child and youth mental health agencies that responded to a survey by the auditor’s office, about 70 per cent said available services are not sufficient to meet the needs of children and youth with concurrent mental health and addictions disorders.