EVERYTHING IS NOT K

Businesses have closed. People have lost their jobs. Parents are attempting to work while helping teach their kids. Seniors have been isolated from their loved ones. At-risk populations are being overlooked. Students have not seen their friends. Health care workers are at the breaking point. Worst of all, people are dying.

We're here to tell you it's okay to admit everything is not OK, and to let decision-makers know we can't wait any longer to take action to improve Ontario's mental health and addiction system. The system is not OK. Let's work together to make it OK.

Pour la version française, cliquez ici

People with mental health and addiction challenges can’t keep waiting

  • 28,000 children and youth are on wait lists for mental health care.
  • 2.5 years. That’s how long some children and youth have to wait in certain parts of the province.
  • 100 days is the average wait time for adult residential treatment for substance use.
  • 2.9 years is the average time people are waiting for supportive housing but in some parts of the province they can be waiting 8 years.

BY THE NUMBERS: THE PANDEMIC’S IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION

74%

of Ontarians are experiencing increased mental health and addiction challenges.

30% are at high risk

19% are at moderate risk

35-40%

increase in overdose rates and opioid-related deaths during the months of COVID-19, according to Ontario’s Chief Coroner.

1/2

of Ontario’s children and youth are at risk of having mental health issues.

42%

of Ontario adults have increased substance use or gambling.

1,900

opioid-related deaths.

4,500

mental health and substance misuse-related ED visits in a single week in 2021 in Ontario.

Everything is not ok image

SUICIDE RISKS AND THE PANDEMIC

Circle background

Pre-Pandemic
(2019):

2.5%

of Canada’s population reported having suicidal thoughts, according to Statistics Canada.

Circle background

May 2020:

6.4%

of participants in a CMHA survey answers ‘yes’ to having thoughts of suicide.

Circle background

October 2020:

10%

increase to participants answering ‘yes’ in a follow-up survey.

Circle background

Pre-Pandemic
(2019):

2.5%

of Canada’s population reported having suicidal thoughts, according to Statistics Canada.

Circle background

May 2020:

6.4%

of participants in a CMHA survey answers ‘yes’ to having thoughts of suicide.

Circle background

October 2020:

10%

increase to participants answering ‘yes’ in a follow-up survey.

Everything is not ok image

We are calling on the government to prioritize reducing wait times for mental health and addiction services across the province.

Because no matter who you are, your race, your gender, your sexuality, where you live or how much money you make, you should have timely access to quality mental health and addiction services.

Sign Our Petition

We’re calling on the government to provide:

Consistent care.

Faster care.

Because regardless of whether you are in northern Ontario or rural Ontario or downtown Toronto, all Ontarians should get the same high-quality care.

Because people are waiting too long to get the support and treatment they are looking for.

Easier access to care.

Transparent care.

Because it’s too complicated and Ontarians don’t know where to turn to for mental health or addiction services.

Because Ontarians don’t know how long they are going to wait and what they can expect from their care.

GET INVOLVED.
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION

Show your support for reducing wait times for mental health and addiction care in Ontario. Help us spread the word that Everything Is Not OK. Share your story.

#NOTK

Download
Toolkit

Share on Facebook
& Twitter

Share on Facebook
& Twitter

Latest News

Mental Health and Addictions Leaders Recognize Mental Health Week

Mental Health Week has always been an important time to participate in the conversation about mental health and addiction to help end the stigma and change the system for the better.

Province’s mental health leaders launch Everything Is Not OK campaign

Ontario’s leading mental health and addiction organizations are coming together to say Everything Is Not OK in a new campaign that highlights the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health of children, youth and adults.

Supported By

Ontario Shores
Addictions and Mental Health Ontario
CMHO
CAMH
Waypoint
The Royal
Canadian Mental Health Association
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

IN A MENTAL HEALTH or ADDICTION CRISIS? Call 911 or visit an emergency room. View Additional Resources.

IN A MENTAL HEALTH or ADDICTION CRISIS? Call 911 or visit an emergency room. View Additional Resources.

Resources