Correction: An earlier version of this story stated the number was for Wellington County alone. It is actually Waterloo Region and Wellington County.
WELLINGTON ‒ Approximately 4,000 people are currently waiting for mental health care in Waterloo Region and Wellington County.
This is one of several statistics Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo-Wellington (CMHAWW) CEO Helen Fishburn shared during her delegation to county council Thursday morning, asking councillors to consider future investments in mental health services, in addition to prioritizing housing and health care, to help improve mental health across the county.
Released in September, Wellington County was rated a five out of 10 according to the CMHAWW’s first-ever survey on mentally healthy communities.
Ninety two per cent of surveyed residents said they believed mental health leaders play a vital role in supporting mental health in their communities.
"Really what our residents are asking and what (CMHAWW) is inviting certainly is that all of us hold the hot potato," said Fishburn, during her delegation. "It's hot right now but all of us have a role in holding it."
Speaking during the meeting, County Coun. Diane Ballantyne commented on the importance of small municipal investments in mental health services and community programs, especially for youth.
"We know for sure that schools are grossly underfunded with support for mental health for young people and that they are at risk as much or more than any other population," said Ballantyne. "These are big dollar issues, but as municipal leaders- even if we don't have the purse of provincial or federal- we know that shared experiences are what can reduce isolation. And that's true (for everyone)."
According to Fishburn, while age demographics weren't surveyed, the county's low score may have originated from local youth as the CMHAWW has experienced a "massive influx" of youth using services and attending programs at facilities like the Grove this year.
Yesterday, the Grove in Palmerston had 109 youth in one day, a new record for the facility.
"It's a good news and a bad news story," said County Coun. Dave Turton, Minto's mayor. "It's good 109 young people in the community ... have a place to go, but at the same time it's disturbing to think there are so many people that are having problems."
Referencing his past as a Guelph firefighter, County Coun. James Seeley asked for more programs emphasizing the importance of mental health education and preventative rather than reactionary services.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," said Seeley. "We need to give people the tools and help them before it's a crisis so we're not always just reacting."
While Fishburn agreed with Seeley, she said they often have no choice but to react.
"Getting through the pandemic has not been a light-switch moment," said Fishburn. "There's no normal anymore, we have a new baseline."
As of this morning, 3,746 people were on the waitlist for mental health care in the region.
"If you build it, they will come and they're coming," said Fishburn. "The five out of 10, it's discouraging, there's no question. But it's also true and honestly, we know we've got some work to do so it's an invitation for us to continue to do that."
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
