Health Quality Ontario (HQO) and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) released Taking Stock: A report on the quality of mental health and addictions services in Ontario. The report finds variation both in access to and quality of mental health services across the province. Key Findings
- Visits to physicians’ offices for mental illness or addiction account for about 10% of all visits in Ontario.
- People in rural areas are less likely to have a follow-up visit with a physician within seven days of leaving the hospital after admission for mental illness or addiction than urban residents (23.1% compared to 30.4%).
- People with the lowest incomes are less likely to have a follow-up visit with a physician within seven days of leaving the hospital after admission for mental illness or addiction than those with the highest incomes (26.9% visit compared to 32.5%).
- Youth are more likely to visit an emergency medical department for mental illness or addiction without first having contact for these issues with a physician (42.7% of people 16-24 years old vs. 29.8% those aged 25 and above).
To learn more about the status of mental health services in Ontario, please click on the links below. Relevant links
- Taking Stock: A report on the quality of mental health and addictions services in Ontario– HQO report, Dec. 16, 2015
- “The quality of mental health services varies across the province, says new report” – HQO news release, Dec. 16, 2015