TORONTO - Children and youth across Ontario suffering from mental health issues and their families find little to cheer about in the Ontario budget. "We had hoped that the government would have recognized the increased pressure on our budgets as families struggle to manage in this difficult economy" said Glen Newby, president of Children's Mental Health Ontario. "Instead, we are once again asked to do more, with stagnant funding."

There are currently 11,123 children on wait lists across the province for even basic services. These children are struggling in schools, in their communities and at home. As the economy worsens, the demand for services continues to increase. In Windsor, for example, the number of children and youth requiring services has increased by 50% since the manufacturing sector began to spiral downward in 2006. Agencies in other areas of the province are reporting similar pressures.

Children's Mental Health Ontario will continue to press the provincial government for funding. Their own research demonstrates our need - the Minister's poverty report makes clear links between poverty and increased need for mental health services. Former Chief Justice Roy McMurtry and Dr. Alvin Curling in their Roots of Youth Violence Report called for targeted funding of $200 million dollars in community-based mental health services for children and youth before the end of this government's mandate in 2011. This budget does nothing to meet that recommendation.