Related issue of mental health must be addressed, mayoral candidate says

Toronto – Mitzie Hunter, mayoral candidate, has issued a two-step plan to ease youth-related homelessness by taking on the related issue of the mental health of young people.

“Youth-related homelessness is at an all-time high,” says Hunter. “To ease the problem, it is essential to take on the related issue of mental health and wellness. It is a moral imperative and our young people deserve it.”

Hunter’s plan has two key elements:

• Break the homelessness cycle by establish five new Housing Outreach Program Collaboration (HOP-C) teams to support the mental wellness needs of young people, including those who are marginalized, Indigenous and racialized. This will mean increasing assistance from peer support workers as well as clinical support from psychologists and social workers to address the physical, mental health, and safety needs of young people experiencing homelessness. The focus will be on utilizing family reunification efforts whenever possible when it is safe to do so. The total investment per team is $250,000.

• Invest in community partners by increasing support for the City of Toronto's Community Service Partnerships (CSP) program, specific to mental health, youth homelessness and violence prevention organizations, which provides funding to non-profit and charitable organizations, to a maximum grant amount of $100,000 per year, an increase from $75,000 per year. Our community partners are the first line of support and we must commit to investing in their sustainability.

Hunter’s plan targets at-risk youth for general wellness as well as clinical interventions for those with severe mental health challenges, particularly complex trauma, depression and addictions. It means helping them with navigating key life skills and systems including justice, housing and employment. 

This proven intervention is comprised of integrated case managers such as social workers and youth workers, psychologists or other mental health experts to support research and clinical leadership, and fully integrated peer support workers. 

“We know affordable housing is of course a necessary element to help young people who are homeless,” says Hunter.

“But we also know housing in and of itself is not sufficient for young people to flourish in life. That’s why we need to focus on youth-related mental health needs.”

As mayor, Hunter will make sure all the services we depend on every day work better.

“That’s why I am running for mayor, so Toronto is a city that works for everyone.”